"You're not worried at all? He could easily pick up on something. And you keep saying that it wouldn't be the end of the world if he found out, but it's your dream restaurant. I can't be the reason you lose that."
"I know what's at stake. But I think he could come around on this eventually, once he sees we're serious about each other. And if you're right and he doesn't, if he pulls the funding, then I'll figure something else out. I always do. You don't need to carry that worry."
I pull her into a kiss, deep and certain and thorough, trying to pour everything I feel into it. She responds immediately, her arms coming up to wrap around my neck, her body pressing against mine as she kisses me back with equal intensity. We stand there kissing in the middle of my cottage for a long moment, the rest of the world falling away.
We're at the San Francisco airport now, sitting in the departure terminal with our flight to Seattle leaving in about an hour. Isabelle is across the way on her phone, pacing back and forth while talking to her father about the New York City restaurant, going over details about the menu.
He made changes without consulting her and she's been fighting with him to get it reversed ever since she found out, and from the look of it, this call is part of that ongoing war.
I sit at the terminal gate watching her pace on the far side near the massive floor-to-ceiling windows, looking confident and commanding and absolutely in her element. Even in just jeans and a simple white t-shirt, her hair pulled back in a ponytail, she looks like someone you don't fuck with. She's gesturing emphatically with one hand while the other holds her phone to her ear, her expression focused and determined.
I can't help but smile watching her. I have absolutely no doubt she'll win this fight. Jean-Pierre might be a tough, controlling bastard who's used to getting his way, but he's got nothing on Isabelle when she's made up her mind about something.
My phone buzzes and I glance down at the screen.Theo.
I swipe to answer and bring it to my ear. "Hey."
"Hey," he says, and I can hear the familiar sounds of Harbor & Ash in the background. "I just wanted to see when your flight was getting in. Figure out timing."
"I'm at the airport now, we board in about an hour," I say, leaning back in the uncomfortable terminal chair. "Looking forward to seeing me? Miss me that much already?"
He laughs. "Yes, you jackass. The restaurant's been great but it doesn't mean I don't miss having you around. Though I have to admit, the first couple of days after you left were blissfully peaceful."
"Lies to help convince yourself you don't need me," I say. "Anyway, I'll let you know as soon as I can swing down to DarkRiver. Should be able to get away for at least a day or two. Also, there's been a slight change of plans I should probably mention."
"What kind of change?" Theo asks, immediately suspicious.
"Uh, well... I might be bringing Isabelle with me. If we can sneak away from her father for a bit. We're sort of... dating now. Actually dating. Like, officially together."
There's a long pause on the other end of the line.
"Alex." Theo's voice comes back louder, filled with disbelief and alarm. "What did I tell you about flirting with her? You are literally sleeping with his daughter under his nose while staying at his hotel on the business trip to look atyourfuture restaurant that he's funding. I'm actually speechless."
I try to repress a smile. Honestly, I was expecting much worse.
"Alright, you're a bit behind on the situation, so let me catch you up, Theo," I say calmly. "Listen, I meant to mention it earlier but it didn't come up naturally in conversation, and then you guys all had that terrible flu going around so I didn't want to dump more on you while you were all recovering and miserable. It seemed like bad timing."
"Keep what from me? That you're actively sabotaging your entire future?" He sounds exasperated and stressed, and I can picture him running his hand through his hair the way he does when he's worried.
"Theo, I've been dating her for weeks now. We're not just sleeping together and calling it casual. It's much more serious than that. Serious enough that I think I'm going to have to tell Jean-Pierre at some point, come clean about the whole thing." I watch Isabelle across the terminal as she talks.
"Don't tell me you've fallen in love with her," Theo says, and his voice has gone quieter, more serious. "Please tell me you haven't fallen in love with the daughter of the man funding your dream restaurant."
I'm quiet for a moment, watching Isabelle. "Oh, I'vedefinitely fallen in love with her. Completely, embarrassingly gone for her."
"Damn, Alex." Theo lets out a long breath. "I don't know whether to congratulate you or start drafting your death certificate."
I laugh. "Both, I think. But Theo, she's incredible. Easily one of the smartest people I've ever met. She's a better chef than me. Beautiful, funny as hell, tough as absolute nails when she needs to be, and?—"
"Wait, hold on," Theo interrupts. "Did you just say she's a better chef than you? Did those words actually just come out of your mouth?"
I grin, knowing exactly what he's thinking. "Don't make a fuss about it. She is, though. I'm constantly impressed by the things she comes up with."
"Now I know you've got it bad," Theo says, and I can hear the smile in his voice despite his concern. "Your ego would never allow you to admit someone else was better than you at cooking unless you were in deep. Like, drowning-level deep."
"Like I said, she's the whole package," I say, still watching her across the terminal. She's wrapping up her call now, looking satisfied and victorious. "Which is why, if I can sneak her away from her father for a day or two, I really want to bring her to Dark River to meet everyone. Meet you, meet the family. See the restaurant."
There's a pause. "Well, I mean... that'd be really nice, actually. You know I'm happy for you, Alex. I'm shocked as hell since you literally never talk about women like this. But I'm really happy for you. You sound different. Good different."