Isabelle declares the town like a movie set with all the Victorian storefronts painted in cheerful colors, the hanging flower baskets, and the harbor visible at the end of the street, boats bobbing gently in the gray-blue water under the overcast sky.
"I mean it’s absurdly charming," she says, tearing off a piece of cinnamon roll that's still warm and practically dripping with icing. "Like someone designed it specifically to make people want to move here and open a bookshop."
"Wait until you see the actual bookshop," I say.
We walk through downtown hand in hand, me pointing out landmarks. The hardware store that's been there since 1892, the ice cream shop where I had my first job at fifteen, the corner where Jack broke his arm trying to skateboard down the hill.
Eventually we make our way to a beach with driftwood logs scattered across dark sand and waves that crash cold and relentless against the shore, white foam hissing over the wet packed sand. The leaves are turning orange and yellow but everything is still damp and lush, moss covering every surface like green velvet, ferns growing wild along the edges of the forest that comes right up to the sand.
We walk the beach for over an hour, our boots crunching on shells and stones, then sit on one of the massive driftwood logs bleached silver by sun and salt and watch the waves, talking about everything and nothing.
Eventually we make our way back to town and run into more people. It's impossible not to in a town this small, where everyone knows everyone and stopping to chat on the sidewalk is just what you do. Marjorie from the post office who's absolutely delighted to see me and even more delighted that I have a woman with me, her eyes lighting up with gossip-radar. Eleanor at the bookshop, whip-smart as ever at seventy-something and interested to hear about my Napa experience and the plans for Seattle.
Then we head to Calvin and Maren's house. We spend an hour there. Baby Henry is awake now, propped up on Calvin's lap, making those squeaky baby sounds and grabbing at Calvin's shirt with tiny fists. He has Calvin's dark hair and Maren's blue eyes, and watching my serious, bookish brother make exaggerated faces to get the baby to smile is one of the best things I've seen in months.
Laila, the golden retriever, immediately decides Isabelle is her new favorite person, following her from room to room with her tail wagging so hard her whole back end moves, eventually just collapsing across Isabelle's feet when we sit down on the porch.
"I think you've been adopted," Maren laughs, handing Isabelle a mug of tea.
"I'm okay with this," Isabelle says happily, reaching down to scratch behind Laila's ears, and the dog's eyes close in bliss.
Calvin and Maren take to Isabelle immediately—Maren especially, the two of them bonding over cooking and restaurants and the challenges of working in male-dominated kitchens. We all sit on the porch with tea, wrapped in blankets because it's cool but not raining yet, just talking and laughing while Laila sprawls across Isabelle's feet like she's known her forever.
The sunny breaks of the day disappear as afternoon turns to evening, rain rolling in with that characteristic Pacific Northwestdrizzle. We say our goodbyes and make our way to my restaurant.
It comes into view as we round the corner. The modern building with its wall of windows, nestled perfectly against the harbor with fishing boats bobbing out on the water, the restaurant's warm lighting glowing against the gray drizzly evening.
"Wow," Isabelle says, pressed up against the passenger window before we even get out of the car. "It looks even better than the photos you showed me."
I smile, feeling that familiar surge of pride and love for this place. "Thanks. We're really happy with how it turned out. God, I missed it. It's like my baby, you know? My first real restaurant."
She smiles at me. "Having second thoughts about opening a whole new place in Seattle? About leaving this behind?"
I shake my head firmly. "No, if anything the talks with your dad and the time in Napa only confirmed it for me. I'm ready for Seattle, ready for that next step. But this place will always be my first love. And I don't think I'll ever not be involved in some capacity. I mean, I think Theo and I texted almost every day while I was gone, and I handled half the supplier issues and menu changes remotely from Napa. It's impossible not to stay connected."
"Well, it's stunning, Alex. Really. It looks so warm and inviting."
I pull into a parking spot and turn off the engine. "Ready to meet everyone?"
She takes a deep breath and smiles. "I can't believe I'm saying this, but I actually am. Let's do this."
We walk through the light rain to the front entrance, and I pull open the heavy wooden door. Inside is exactly how we designed it. Warm pendant lighting hanging at different heights, modern but intimate and welcoming, natural wood tables.
The windows overlook the water so it feels like it’s part ofthe dining experience, and there are string lights visible outside on the deck. The main bar sits at the center of the space, beautiful reclaimed wood that Theo built. The whole design is open and flowing but still feeling cozy.
Isabelle stops just inside the door, gaping at the interior, taking it all in with the eye of a chef who understands what goes into creating a space like this. I see Theo making his way toward us from the kitchen, a huge smile breaking across his face when he spots me.
"Alex," he says, pulling me into a tight hug before stepping back. "I genuinely missed you, you asshole."
"Don't sound so surprised." I laugh, stepping back and gesturing to Isabelle. "Theo, this is Isabelle. Isabelle, my brother Theo."
She smiles warmly and extends her hand. "I've heard so much about you. Apparently you're a wonderful business partner and an even more wonderful brother."
Theo shakes her hand and looks at me with raised eyebrows. "Alex getting soft while in Napa, saying nice things about me?"
I shove his shoulder. "Don't get used to it."
Theo turns back to Isabelle, his expression warm. "It's really lovely to meet you, Isabelle. I don't think I've ever heard Alex speak so highly of someone before."