The Arrogant Architect

by LK Collins

  “Wow, it looks totally different,” Galinda says spinning all around, staring in awe at the beauty of this place.

  “Thanks,” King tells her, and my dad gives me a hug. “Sorry to drop in on you like this. I tried to call you when we were on our way.”

  “It’s okay, my phone’s somewhere in here.”

  “It looks amazing.”

  “King really outdid himself. What are you guys out doing?”

  “We went to an auction and were passing by on the way back to Galinda’s.”

  “Do you want to look around?” I ask them and they both grin from ear to ear.

  “I’ll show them, baby. You finish what you were doing.”

  “You sure?” I ask and King kisses my forehead, knowing that right now I am feeling completely overwhelmed.

  As the three of them walk off, I envision this place being filled tomorrow night. It’s going to be a dream come true and I owe it all to King, who looks back at me and winks.

  Going into the kitchen, I go through my checklist and realize that there really isn’t that much more to do. The staff has been a tremendous help, especially Mistee, who agreed to be my executive chef and I couldn’t be happier about it.

  Closing my book of notes, I think I’m just being OCD. Deciding to stay in the moment, because I’ll never get this back again, I make a quick appetizer plate and then grab a bottle of wine as I go in search of my family. I find them on the rooftop deck, looking out at the bay that our restaurant is located on. The stars twinkle in the night sky as I set the food down, turning the heaters on before I gaze out at the vast view and enjoy it with them.

  “You really should charge people more to eat up here,” my dad says as I stand next to him.

  “I’ll be happy if we have constant traffic,” I tell him, and King rolls his eyes.

  “Would you stop worrying? We’ve got reservations booked out for three months solid, I don’t think you’re going to have anything to worry about.

  I smile, grateful for the support that I’ve had from Lorenzo. Yes, I now call him Lorenzo, and he’s been vital during this entire process.

  “Are you guys hungry? I made some appetizers.”

  They all nod their heads and we take the best seat in the house. As they dig into the food, I sit back and look at King, so proud of him and thankful to him for giving me this amazing gift.

  “Did you decide on the menu for tomorrow night?” my dad asks me, knowing that was a big worry.

  “Yeah, let me grab you one.” I get up from my seat and get him one from the hostess stand. As I walk back up to the table, I freeze in my tracks. Staring back at me is a letter from my mom.

  “You don’t have to open it now, Ever,” he says and I swallow sitting in front of it, scared to touch it. “I know how you like to have them at midnight though.”

  I can tell my dad wants me to open it now, or he wouldn’t have sat it out in the open like that. We haven’t talked about the letters since the day of the blowup when King gave them to both of us. I think my dad assumed that he’d be the one giving them to me…and that’s okay.

  “No…I want to open it. It’s what mom would want, I want her voice to be a part of all this.”

  Lifting the letter, King squeezes my thigh and I give him a small smile so he knows that I am okay with this. He gets worried and that is the last thing that I want him to be right now.

  Running my thumb over the indentation of her handwriting, I flip it over, the yellow sticky note that reads, restaurant is still stuck to the back. Gently, I tear open the envelope and take out her letter. A cool breeze whips through me and I’d like to think that it’s her, encouraging me on. Clearing my throat so everyone can hear her words, I find strength in the wind.

  My dearest Everly,

  I never doubted for one second that your dreams would come true. You are a talented and amazing chef. You have no idea the power of your abilities and how proud of you I am. It disappoints me that I cannot be there with you to help you, but I’m a firm believer in fate and a greater power. I know God has a bigger plan for all of us, especially you, my sweet Ever. I hope as you read these words you’re happy, and as you embark on such a huge accomplishment in your professional career, please know that I’m with you…I always have been and always will be…until we meet again.

  Love, Mom

  Acknowledgements

  Mr. Prezident, we did it again and I am so grateful for not only your undying support, but your love and guidance as I finished our 11th book. I cannot tell you how much this is a dream come true, thank you for pushing me from the beginning, to write Fatalism and guiding me along all these years as I’ve pursued my dream. I love you baby, to infinity and beyond.

  Lisa, we’ve officially done ten books together and I couldn’t be happier. You are so amazing and talented. Thank you for editing this one from a wonky laptop, while dealing with yet again another one of my crazy ass deadlines.

  Leticia and Janice, my impeccable proofreaders. If I had another way to say thank you other than in these words, I’d do it. I’d get down on my knees, so you know just how much I appreciate the two of you. You ladies make my books flawless and I am truly indebted to the both of you, forever.

  Crystal, AKA the Boss, AKA mama bear, thank you for pushing me to write King’s story in an obscenely short amount of time. You are a Godsend, and even though I give you a hard time about my Facebook bans, I appreciate it…so much. Thank you, for believing in me and my work and for sticking behind me the way that you do. Remember our #1 rule, and never forget it.

  To my crazies, you ladies make my days so much happier, your posts, comments, emails, and messages are the best. I hope I’ve made you proud with this story.

  Last, but absolutely not least, to all of the readers, reviewers, and bloggers. Thank you for taking the time to read King & Ever’s story. Your support means the world to me. You are the reason I write and I’d love to hear your thoughts, if you could leave a review, short or long, it would mean a lot to me. Both the Prezident and I read every single review and love hearing your feedback.

  Be sure to add my next book, Zero F*cks, to your Goodreads TBR. It will be released in September 2016 - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/31679535-zero-f-cks