“I liked it a hell of a lot better than I let show.”
Kiara nudges her arm against mine gently. “Don’t worry. I could tell because of how you spoke to Pepita.”
My lips quirk up at the mention of Sal and Kiara’s crotchety old cat. She loved to visit the restaurant and took great pride in controlling the mouse population. I haven’t let myself think much about Gator since everything happened, but now sadness creeps in. “What happened to her, anyway?”
“She passed, but it was from old age. She had a good life. What did he say that night?”
“Well, first he hugged me.”
“Of course.”
“It was the first time I’d ever... I don’t know. Maybe in my whole life, really. Definitely as a teenager.” My throat feels thick again at the memory of that hug. I’d spooked like a horse, unsure how to react. Years of being shuttled from landing place to landing place taught me not to expect much affection. “And then he told me that the best part about cooking is that it’s not permanent—for good and for bad. Maybe a dish is terrible. It’s still one dish, and it’s eaten or not eaten. It only exists in the moment it’s produced. The same with a really good dish. Especially with a good dish.”
“That sounds like a total Dad thing to say.”
For a moment, I can’t speak. I just nod tightly.
Sunlight dances on the water. The fish at our feet continue to swim.
“I’m sorry I left before we could officially become family.” It’s difficult, finally putting all of this into words, but I owe it to Kiara. “I thought that if I went through with the adoption, and we still fought about how I should handle my future... I didn’t want him to regret what he did, you know? I didn’t want him to reject me, so I didn’t give him the chance.”
“He regretted what happened that night.”
“So did I. Ki... I don’t regret leaving for culinary school. I don’tregret traveling. There’s so much good food out there. So many creative thinkers, so many traditions, so many things to learn. But I wish it happened differently. I wish I’d been able to call you to talk about it all, and visit you and Dad.”
I keep my eyes on the horizon.
He apologized. And the best apology from me, although he can’t be here for it, is to continue his legacy.
“I want to keep Fable.”
Kiara’s eyes widen, but she also looks wary. “Are you sure?”
“But only under one condition. I want you to come in with me as a partner. I want it to be ours, not just mine.”
“Oh, Jack.”
“I know you have your career,” I add quickly. “I won’t interfere with that. But I don’t want to do this alone.”
“What about Poppy?”
“She’s becoming a managing partner at a restaurant in San Diego.”
“And I’m sure she’s only doing that to give you space in New York.”
“Have you talked to her?”
“No. I got you in the breakup, unfortunately.”
Despite myself, I smile. “Too bad for you.”
“I know you love her.” She shakes her head. “Everyone knows except her. Seems a bit backward, doesn’t it?”
I should’ve told her I loved her that night on the dock. Maybe then, things would’ve shaken out differently. I’ve been dreaming about it, night after night: a moment where I do tell her, and she stays. Or worse, where I tell her, and she leaves me just the same. I know how deeply I hurt her—not just by refusing Fable, but by lying. By pushing my own resentments and regrets about family onto her.
“Dad would like her, wouldn’t he?”
“Oh, he’d love her.”
