AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Sí,” Tate agrees with her on a wink that gets her snickering.
“And I’m still not interested,” Nat loudly repeats her declaration from our earlier car ride.
“Why not?” He inquires right as my boyfriend pauses to enjoy a sip of wine before cleaning his own feet.
“Because I want this,” she waves a hand our direction prior to pointing to where they’re checking out the bent over hostess’s ass, “not that.”
“She’s looking for a man,” Rosa slyly compliments her son while turning to her nephews. “And you three are boys not ready to be men.”
“You know that’s one of my favorite groups,” Felipe easily segues. “You haven’t seen some shit, ‘til you’ve seen some shit like the group we got together for the talent show to sing ‘Motownphilly’.”
Tate immediately begins singing the opening chorus to the song at the top of his lungs, completely catching me off guard. All three of his cousins rush to join him, with the rest of us coming in shortly after. Wine glasses are used as microphones and seat dancing commences all around, accidentally starting another competition on chair voguing that causes me to sigh in happiness.
This is what my life has been missing.
This is what my future will hold.
For me.
For Tate.
And for however many kids we actually do bring into this world someday.
Chapter 10
Tate
I can’t believe this is happening.
Six months ago, I would’ve never even thought about something like this and now?
Now, I’m just one great building away from the second biggest decision of my life.
The first was deciding to ask Harper to marry me three weeks into our relationship. Technically, I haven’t done it yet, but I’ve been ring shopping and more importantly, ring saving ever since.
Those bloody things are just ridiculously priced.
“What do we think?” Nix Wagner, Cora’s youngest son and an old acquaintance from high school, investigates from the center of the room, hands shoved into dress pants pockets. “I know it’s a great location. I know the building has great bones. Hell, I even know that the price to rent is just enough below market asking that you’re getting a white whale piece of property.” His smug grin doesn’t budge an inch. “What I don’t know is how it feels here?” He taps the center of his suit jacket covered chest. “The shit needs to feel right there, or you need to pass, especially considering this will be your first business not only as partners but as individuals.”
Geoffrey nods in agreement but doesn’t say anything while continuing to scan the less than empty building.
I’m not entirely sure why the owners before us abruptly bailed on their bar. Nix isn’t aware, either, although he says he’s looked into it. The biggest benefit of the unexpectedly left piece of property is that whoever is renting out the space is willing to include all the shite that’s still here at no additional cost. Tables, chairs, bar equipment that can be repurposed or refurnished and used. Not top of the line stoves or dishwasher yet still better than the average hole in the wall.
“I really like it,” my official business partner nods once more. “However, it takes two to sign the paperwork.” His gaze swings to me. “Thoughts?”
Not ones he wants to hear.
I don’t regret going into a legal agreement with him. We’ve spent an adequate amount of time together over the past few months both for work and for fun. He had a solid plan before I came along and almost all his pints in order. Sometimes I wonder if I’m really bringing anything other than more money to the table – money that was pooled together by my uncles in Ireland to invest in what they all believe to be my big dream.
Bloody hell, I didn’t even think I had a dream until Harper carved away the resistance of having one like she was shucking a fucking oyster. And there’s no resentment for her giving a fuck about me…about all of me. It was just unexpected.
Everything with Harper, though, seems to fall in that category.
It’s like having won the literal lottery every day I wake up.
Only one thing is missing.
And that one thing is the one reason I’m still dragging my feet here.
