Page 17 of My Heart Belongs to You

“I’ll see you later, right?”

“Of course.”

“Cool.”

After planting the sweetest kiss on my forehead, Nadir left the restaurant. I finished the last of the fish, then started cleaning. Once the dishes were in the washer, the floor was swept, and the surfaces were disinfected, I mopped the kitchen floor. Brandy played softly from the kitchen speaker, making the experience therapeutic in a sense.

Growing up, I hated doing chores. My parents made Saturday morning cleaning an event in our home. My abuelita had the same routine when my siblings and I visited. Starling and Raven would always outvote me when it was time to select our tasks. Most times, I was the one who had to mop. I remembered hating the big yarn mop my dad refused to replace. My hands were so small and it took about four good tries to wring it out. I smiled at the memories as I swabbed the tiled floors.

These days, I enjoyed cleaning my kitchen. For so long, I dreamed of the day I'd have my own restaurant. Spending my teenage years helping my parents run their restaurant inspired me. The opening was just a few months away, and while I was nervous, I was more excited than anything. Little things like cleaning my kitchen meant so much to me. After years of shadowing my parents and their peers abroad, I was more than ready to assume the roles of executive chef and owner.

My mind raced as I thought about Brie & Bordeaux’s grand opening. I needed to start training my chefs soon, my front of house manager needed to train the waiters, and I needed to check the status of several deliveries.

I needed a vacation.

Shaking my head, I pushed that thought away before I could dwell on it. A vacation should be the last thing on my mind. Until Brie & Bordeaux was up and running, I'd find little ways to unwind, like now as I mopped the floor.

CHAPTER

THREE

The cool breeze swept over my skin as I swayed to DJ Love’s old school R&B mix. Ray’s was packed tonight, probably because it was the warmest night of the spring and everyone wanted to enjoy it. I glanced around the patio; soft round bulbs illuminated the area as hookah smoke filled the air. From the overhead speakers, D’Angelo’s “Brown Sugar” poured through, adding to the lounge’s sultry, laid-back vibe. The large panoramic windows were open, giving us a better view of DJ Love on stage. She bobbed her head, smiling at the reaction from the crowd forming in front of her.

While Sadé and Raven enjoyed their hookah, I ate my egg rolls, smiling inwardly at how fast they’d been delivered to our table. I continued watching patrons enjoy their night. My gaze landed on Summer as she moved through the room. She couldn’t visit us on the patio because of the smoke, but she waved when our eyes met and I returned the gesture. I couldn’t help my smile when I found Nadir walking toward the DJ booth. His gait was casual, but he exuded confidence as he worked the room. I tipped my chin to get a better view of him at the booth. He leaned in close to DJ Love, saying something to her while handing her a bottle of water. She smiled appreciatively then accepted the drink.

We’d been here for almost an hour, and as expected, I hadn't seen him yet. The bouncer, Mel, greeted us, and told Peyton, the hostess, where to take us. As he promised, our table was ready and the food and drinks were on the house. My eyebrows wrinkled as I recalled the last time I visited Ray’s. At one point, I was here every week. And if Terrence and I were fighting, I spent every free evening I had at Ray’s. I knew the staff by name, the menu from front to back, and even had a special table near the bar. We couldn't sit there tonight since Raven and Sadé wanted hookah, but this table was just as good.

“How was the tasting?” Sadé asked as she followed my line of vision.

“It was great. We narrowed down the selections and wine pairings.”

Raven smirked. “Great. So when can we get an exclusive tasting?”

“You’ve had the dishes before.”

She rolled her eyes. “So? You promised me and Starling.”

I knew the only reason Raven was pushing so hard for this was because she missed our brother. He spent most of his time between San Francisco and Chicago, managing our parents’ restaurants.

“Fine. I’ll text the chat and see when he’s free.”

Raven’s smile broadened as her eyes met something behind me.

“I’ve been looking for you,” Nadir said from behind, sending chills through me. I smiled as I turned to meet his gaze. “What y’all doing out here?”

I nodded toward the hookah on our table. “Abiding by the house rules.”

He chuckled, then greeted Raven and Sadé. After hugging them, he switched into manager mode, asking, “Y’all good? Need anything while I'm here?”

Raven shook her head. “We’re good. Thanks, though. Princesa, do you need anything?”

Pursing my lips, I ignored the way she wiggled her eyebrows. “I’m fine.”

My gaze met Nadir’s and my belly rolled.

“Actually, can you come with me? I want to show you something.”

“What is it?”