“It’s all good, Cam. I know what you meant. And you’re right. Jimmy doesn’t belong here.” I glanced over at him. I’d always been proud of Jimmy, right from the get-go, but I felt a new surge right then. We were going to do great things together, and I couldn’t fucking wait.
“Well, in any case, good luck, you guys,” Jason said, tipping his baseball cap to us. “It’s been a pleasure.”
“Same,” I said, and I meant it. The guys in the kitchen had made the last decade of my life bearable. The years at Buck’s would have been a hell of a lot more unbearable without them.
“And Ben?” Jason nodded in the direction of Byron’s office. “Don’t pull any punches.”
“I won’t,” I said, grinning wide.
“And speak up,” Cameron added. “We could use a little entertainment around here.”
“See,” I said, smacking Jimmy’s shoulder. “I told you the choreographed dance routine would’ve been a hit.”
“Not sure it would’ve,” Jimmy said. “I’ve seen you dance.”
I cocked one eyebrow and glared. “Jealousy doesn’t look good on you, J.”
He opened his mouth to deliver a witty retort, I was sure of it, but before he could get it out, Byron waltzed into the kitchen.
“What’s going on out here?” he asked, the lines between his eyebrows becoming more pronounced as he frowned. He turned his attention to Cam and Jason. “I’m not paying you to stand around wasting time.”
“Technically you’re not the one paying any of the staff, since, ya know, you don’t own the place,” I pointed out.
Byron shot me a look that had “I’d murder you if I could” written all over it. If he didn’t like that, he definitely wasn’t going to like what was coming next.
“What are you doing here anyway? You two aren’t scheduled to work today.”
“That’s what we’re here to talk to you about,” Jimmy said.
“Look,” Byron started, crossing his arms over his chest, the familiar too-smug smirk firmly in place on his thin lips. “I’m not going to give you special treatment. You work the hours I give you. I can’t be handing out extra shifts just because you ran your restaurant into the ground and now you’re broke.”
“That isn’t what—”
Byron held up his hand, cutting me off, and directed his tirade toward Jimmy. “I know in a former life you worked at some fancy-ass place in the city, and because of it you think you’re better than everyone else around here. But you’re not.”
My hackles were up. Byron was an ass. He always had been, but I’d put up with it because I was his favorite employee to pick on. Seeing him belittling Jimmy, especially since we were there to quit in the first place, was the last straw. “He is, though.”
“Excuse me?”
“This place is so far beneath him it’s a fucking joke. The fact that he ever stooped low enough to work in this shithole kills me. He’s a better chef than anyone here. He’s sure as shit better than you.”
He narrowed his eyes, his already red face darkening until it was almost purple. “Watch your mouth, Benjamin,” he spat. “Don’t think that working here for as long as you have earns you any free passes on talking to me like that.”
I shrugged. “I don’t need a free pass. It’s the truth.”
He was getting angrier by the second, and I was enjoying this more and more. Jimmy was standing back, an amused expression on his face. I don’t think Byron had noticed yet, or he would have lost it completely.
Instead, he sneered at me. “You and Jimmy are a dime a dozen. I could have you replaced quicker than you could blink.”
“I’m so glad to hear you say that,” I said, reveling in watching his puffed-up demeanor begin to deflate. “Finding two new chefs with our levels of experience who are able to handle the dinner rush and closing shifts with as much efficiency as we’ve demonstrated should be a piece of fucking cake for you, then.” I leaned in closer, making sure there was no way he missed this next part. “Because we quit. Effective immediately.”
It wasn’t what I’d planned to say—not even close to the speech I’d rehearsed that morning—but if possible, it was even more satisfying. I sure as hell wasn’t going to miss working for that little prick.
He stood there for a moment, stunned, before he seemed to gather his composure. “Gentlemen, surely we can work something out.”
Jimmy finally spoke. “I don’t think so, Byron.”
“Nope. Jimmy’s right. Nothing you can say now could possibly change our minds. I’ve put up with ten years of your micromanaging and disparaging comments. Ten years of having to listen to the same bullshit lectures thinly veiled as motivational speeches. A decade of pretending to pay attention to your stories about your stupid cat. I gotta tell you, Byron… your cat hates you. And when your pet hates you, maybe it’s time to reevaluate your shit, dude, because damn.”
“Oh snap!” Cameron said, while Jason cackled beside him.
“C’mon, Jimmy,” I said, hooking an arm around his neck. “Let’s bounce.”
Byron’s mouth was still hanging open when we turned on our heels and walked away. I imagined that scene in Con Air when John Malkovich lights that guy on fire and then just fucks off as everything goes up in a big-ass explosion. We’d just left a trail of devastation in our wake, at least for Byron. He was going to have a hell of a time finding one new chef on short notice. Two was going to be impossible.
A little pang of guilt speared through me at the thought of the guys we’d left behind. Byron was gonna be pissed, and he was likely gonna take it out on them. But I’d paid my dues. Ten years was way too fucking long to work at that place, kissing ass to a boss like him.
I was long overdue, but it was time to start fresh. I was giddy with excitement, thinking about what the next phase of my life would bring.
“We never have to come back here,” I said, the weight of that knowledge finally starting to sink in.
“Nope. Never again,” Jimmy said, sounding just as excited about that fact as I was.
“I’ll never have to pick peanut shells outta the soles of my shoes.”
“Or cut tomatoes into forms vaguely resembling flowers to garnish plates of overly sauced meats and underseasoned deep-fried foods.”
I pulled open my car door. “True dat.”
As we drove home, I thought about how I had everything I’d ever wanted—a life with Jimmy, a chance to be my own boss, and a career in the culinary arts. The fact that Jenna had been the catalyst for that was fucked-up to think about, but in a roundabout way, I owed that woman everything. It had taken me a long time to reach this point in my life, and I’d taken a few detours along the way, but I couldn’t be happier about the direction Jimmy and I were headed in now.
No matter what happened in the coming years—whether our culinary school was successful or not, we were both done playing it safe. It was time to take a risk or two, because sometimes good things came to those who waited, and sometimes good things came to the guys who made them happen.
Epilogue
Jimmy
In hindsight, those five espressos I’d had this morning were probably a bad idea, but I was sure I’d be jittery and excited even without them, and I figured since I’d gotten all of five minutes of sleep the night before, a little caffeine couldn’t hurt.
Today was the day we were doing our final tour. If everything went according to plan and the inspection checked out, we’d be putting down an offer for the future Carver School of Culinary Arts.
But that wasn’t the only reason I was excited.
This day had been a long time coming. It felt like it anyway. It also felt like it had happened fucking fast, and between Ben’s coursework and me having to learn everything there was to know about opening a school, the days had flown by.
Ben had drafted a business plan as part of his college finals, and by the time he was done, it was clear to see that the idea was a good one. I’d been nervous we’d get through to the planning stages on
ly to discover it wasn’t feasible. All this talk about it for so long had us unable to tamp down our excitement, and I don’t know what we would have done if it hadn’t worked out.
Once we had the business plan lined up, we just needed investors. Ben had eventually pushed me to make that call to Vera. Nerves had almost got the best of me when I thought of leaving the restaurant world for good, and asking for help took me even further out of my comfort zone.
It had all paid off, though. The school was more than I could have ever hoped for, and it would bring opportunities for kids who shared the same passion for food Benny and I did.
We pulled up outside the building, a converted warehouse near the river, and my heart rate ratcheted up sixteen notches. I felt like I’d been shot with adrenaline, the way my body was tight with anticipation.
Our Realtor was already there, chatting on her cell phone and flipping through a binder that was packed to bursting with paper.
“Good morning, gentlemen,” she said, covering the mouthpiece of her phone and looking up as we climbed out of Ben’s car. “It’s a lovely day to buy a building.”
Ben laughed, the sound surrounding me. There was nothing else in the world better than the sound of Ben happy. “It’s a perfect day to buy a building.”
She smiled warmly and gestured toward the warehouse. “The doors are already unlocked. I’ve got some things I need to take care of for another client, but go ahead inside. I’ll be right out here if you need me.”
It wasn’t the first time we’d been to the site, but it was the first time we were bringing Vera along for approval.
“Thanks, Belinda.”
She went back to her conversation, and Benny and I stepped forward, looking up at the building that would be the place where our lives changed forever. Both struck silent with awe, we stayed like that for too long, and anyone who happened to be watching was going to think we were nuts, but a few minutes later, another car parked next to us and Vera got out, a brilliant smile lighting up her face.
Ever the vision of sophistication and elegance, her presence reaffirmed that this had been the right decision. One day we hoped our school would rise from its humble beginnings to compete with the other great culinary institutes around the world. With Vera’s unwavering support, I was positive it would happen.
“James, Benjamin, it’s absolutely wonderful.”
“Well, it’s not much yet, but come inside and we’ll show you around, give you a sense of what it could be,” Ben said, the pride shining through in his voice.
“Lead the way, darling.”
We entered the building through the huge double doors at the front that opened into the main area. The ceilings were high—two stories through most of the building. It wasn’t much to look at yet, but soon, the whole place would have a gleam of newness to it.
“The contractor said his next few months are looking flexible, so as soon as we take possession, he and his crew can get to work,” I said, my mind already churning with possibilities. We’d discussed some ideas with him already, but there was still a lot left to be decided about the finishing touches, and I couldn’t wait to see it all come together.
We circled around the huge, empty space that would serve as the banquet hall when we were up and running. The Carver School would remain quite small and exclusive to start, educating around fifty students per year, most of them local. We weren’t equipped for dorms or anything just yet, but that wasn’t to say we wouldn’t expand the school in a few years.
“It’s amazing, isn’t it?” Ben beamed, and my heart stuttered at how sexy he looked in this moment, settled into a happiness and confidence I hadn’t seen on him in years. I couldn’t believe my good fortune, finally able to take charge of my life with the man I loved by my side.
“You did good, Benny. You couldn’t have picked a more perfect place.”
“You’re right,” he said with a wink. “It’s perfect. And the Realtor said the seller is motivated to sell quickly. If we put in the offer today, it’s all but a sure thing,” he said, flipping through a manila folder with the property details.
We showed her through to the offices where Ben would be spending most of his working hours. They were a little on the small side, but gargantuan compared to Byron’s tiny closet. There was more than enough room for a desk and a few chairs, and if we got the angles right, maybe even a small sofa. For a moment, my mind delved into the possibilities of christening our new space on that imaginary sofa, celebrating everything we’d worked so hard to achieve.
I tucked away that fantasy—I would not get hard in front of my mentor for Christ’s sake, but it was difficult being around Ben and not wanting him all the time. The fervor of my attraction to him hadn’t waned in the least. In fact, and although it seemed impossible, I wanted him more now than I ever had.
Heading back to the main banquet space, we stopped in to the most important area in the whole building. The kitchen.
Currently, it existed as an empty space, but there was so much potential that even without the appliances and the workspaces, the accessories, the food, I could already imagine how spectacular it would be.
I turned to Vera. “It doesn’t look like much now, but what do you think?” I took her outstretched hands and kissed her cheeks.
“Marvelous, simply marvelous. Everything you two have accomplished… well, it’s amazing. I knew you were something special the moment you walked into my classroom, James.”
I felt the flood of warmth fill me. Ben had been right about family not needing to share DNA. Vera was the gracious and accepting mother figure I’d always needed.
She smiled sincerely. “I can’t think of a better company to invest in. I was growing tired of the restaurant scene anyway.” She was a terrible liar, but I adored her for it. “The kitchens are fabulous. I’ll have to give you the name of my appliance man. I’m having him install a new Viking at home.”
“You still cook, Vera?” Ben winked at me over her shoulder.
“Good god, no. It’s all about appearances, darling.” She linked her arms through mine and Ben’s and walked with us slowly toward the outdoor courtyard. “Anyway, my handsome friends, your students are going to excel here. I can’t wait to see you rebuild your empire.”
“Kingdom, please,” said Ben, mischief lighting his eyes. “We’re gonna live like kings one day.”
“Good man. Never settle for anything less.”
She patted Ben’s cheek fondly, then pulled me down for a hug.
“Thank you,” I whispered. “You’ve done so much for us. I’m not sure how I can ever repay you.”
“You’ll pay me with your happiness, and sharing that passion for cooking with the world.” She kissed my cheek, then pulled back, her eyes lighting up as the wine server passed. “And profits, James. Those too.”
God bless Vera Lindley.
Vera had gone and Belinda had returned to her office to begin on the paperwork for us. Before she left, she made sure all we needed to do to lock up was to pull the door tightly behind us once we were done. Ben and I hadn’t been ready to leave quite yet, both of us wanting to spend a little more time in the space that would soon be ours.
He looked up and I could read the emotion on his face. “It’s like all the stars are aligning to make this happen. We should have done this years ago.”
“We were both broke, years ago,” I said, stepping toward him. “This is happening right when it needed to.”
He was right about the stars aligning. My mother had always told me that everything happens for a reason, and I had always thought she was full of shit. The universe wasn’t created with some all-knowing design that coalesced to ensure everyone on the planet made the right moves to guarantee the right outcomes.
And after losing the Carvery, I’d been convinced I was right. I thought I’d lost the one thing that mattered most to me, but it turned out it took losing the restaurant for me to find the thing that mattered most.
My mom still hadn
’t come around, and she probably never would, but not long after that disastrous family dinner, Victoria had called me. We’d both been sobbing like children by the end of the call, but she told me she loved me no matter what and all she wanted was for me to happy. She already loved Ben, and she was elated I’d finally woken up and smelled the coffee.
My sister was the one who’d sparked the idea for what I was about to do.
I took the folder from his hands and dropped it to the floor.
“Hey, I need that—"
“Leave them a minute. I got something I want to say.”
“What is it?”
I almost succumbed to my nerves. Almost. “I would never have believed after all this time, we’d be here in this place, together. You saved me, Ben. In every possible way. And I want you to know how much I love and need you in my life.”
I slid down on one knee in front of him, taking his hand in mine.
“What’s happening right now?” He laughed nervously, looking around even though there was no one else there.
“I’ve made a lot of mistakes over the years, but the biggest one was walking away from you.”
“Twice, if I recall,” he said pointedly, but he was still smiling.
“Would you shut up and let me finish?” He mimed zipping his lips. “I should have proposed to you right from the very beginning. I don’t know when or if it’ll ever happen for us, but the day they let us stand up and vow to love each other forever, I want you by my side, like you have been since the day we met. You’re my best friend, and so much more than that. My partner in business, my partner in life. I don’t ever want to let you go.”
“Scared I’ll run off with half the company?” He quirked an eyebrow, but his eyes were soft, tears threatening to spill over.
“Not the time, Benny,” I teased, patting my pockets until I found the shiny gold ring I’d saved for. Not a cent of Jenna’s money went toward this; this was all Buck’s money, squirreled away from the day I’d let myself fall in love with him. “Ben Evans, I love you. So before my knee cramps up completely, would you do me the honor of being my husband?”
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