AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Bar tops?” Rae grins. “ThethingMylo left us to take care of this morning?”
“I had no idea. Did you know?”
“I did not.” Her eyes widen a little too innocently.
“Sounds like he’s a keeper,” My mom narrows her eyes at me. Things have been so awkward between us lately I’ve never really talked to her about Mylo.
“I think he might be.” I twist my lips to the side to stop my grin from getting even goofier. “He makes me happy.”
Rae nods slowly, a smile forming on her face, blatantly pleased her little talk this morning had an effect.
By the time I’ve shown my parents around, the rest of my guests have arrived and it’s time to get the show on the road.
“That was amazing.” My dad leans back in his chair, patting his stomach, eyes the color of mine twinkling at me across the table. “Kenzi, Simon, you’ve outdone yourselves.”
“It really was,” my mom agrees. “We’re so proud of what you’ve done here, baby.” She smiles at me, covering my dad’s hand with her own and my heart almost bursts with pride.
Our conversation from earlier rings even truer now. I’m happy she didn’t hand over the money, happy I did this without their help. Proved to myself and them that I have what it takes. That I was able to fight to make my dream a reality on my own. It feels good. Better than I could ever have imagined. I did this. With a little help from my friends, butIdid this.
The dinner went without a single hitch, the empty plates and happy chatter around the long table we set up on the roof terrace a testament to Simon’s spectacular cooking.
I glance around the people I love most in the world and swallow down the lump in my throat. Laia and Felix, Jackson and Maika, Simon, Pete, Rae, and Rylie. Lola to my left and Mylo to my right. Jo sat down with us after the last plate was served. The night breeze is warm and salty-sweet, the soft glow from the string of tiny lanterns that hang from corner to corner enough to see by, but not enough to take away from the starry night sky above us. It’s been perfect.
I clink my spoon against my wine glass and the chatter fades out. “Guys, I just want to thank you all for being here tonight.” I take a wobblier than I’d like to admit breath. “It means everything that I was able to christen this place with you all.”
Mylo coughs behind his fist beside me, his other hand squeezing my thigh beneath the table.
“We wouldn’t have missed it.” Laia leans her head on Felix’s shoulder, their fingers linked on the table, and everybody mumbles in agreement.
“Do you have a name yet?” Pete asks, taking a sip of red wine from the oversized goblets I found for sale in a retailer on the mainland.
I grimace but shake my head. “Who would have thought that naming this place would end up being the hardest hurdle I’ve had to jump? I need to decide by tomorrow so I can start advertising.”
Lola grips my hand from beside me. She leans forward and catches Mylo’s attention. “I might be able to help you with that.” She seems lighter tonight than I’ve seen her since we reconnected. In an embroidered gold vest over one of her trademark floaty maxi dresses, she giggled like a teenager when Mylo lifted her up the stairs to the roof terrace after I’d shown her what we’ve done with the house she built. “I have a gift.”
“Oh, no, you really didn’t have to—” I watch Mylo reach down to the side of his chair and lift something from a linen bag I hadn’t noticed before now.
“Nonsense, child.” Her fingers tighten around mine. “My husband made this when we built this place. It used to hang by the door.”
Pushing my chair back I take the heavy, polished piece of wood when Mylo pulls it from the bag.
My nose stings with the need to give into the ugly happy tears that have been threatening all night.
Mozáikeis carved in swirling letters bordered by a wave of colored tiles in aqua and turquoise and jade.
“The art of turning what seems broken into something beautiful. It fit the house back, then, and I think it fits perfectly now too. If you like it, it’s yours, sweet girl.”
I brush my fingers over the delicate carving,Mozáike. Cluan for mosaic. “It’s perfect. Thank you.” I glance up into her lined face and nod, pressing my lips together. “The perfect name.”
She smiles her lopsided smile and squeezes my fingers even tighter as the table cheers.
I’m still buzzing even after everyone has left. Mylo’s taking Lola home, and I’ve just sent Simon away to make the most of Pete’s night off. I’m alone for the first time all night. In my restaurant.My restaurant.That now officially has a name. I put the last glass in the dishwasher and push the door closed, blowing out a long, satisfied breath. I did it.Wedid it.
I’ve just set it to go when I hear something from the garden. I pause and listen over the low rumble of the dishwasher. I hear it again. Glass. It sounds like glass smashing. I frown, make my way through the bar to the double doors and drag open the deadbolt. “Mylo? Is that you?” I push open one of them and step out.
Nothing could have prepared me for what I walk out to.
My heart sinks, stops, then jumps up into my throat. My gaze flits over the disaster that was my perfectly set up restaurant. Tables turned over, chairs everywhere, my glass candles smashed to bits.
