You Deserve Each Other(87)

“It is.” I nod. “Fireside sounds cool, too.” I gaze around the place, trying to imagine tables and chairs full of people eating. “This is so awesome, Leon. I’m really happy for you! I’m trying to envision what it might look like, and in my head it’s like Bass Pro Shops. Where’s the kitchen going to go?”

“Got to have one put in when I have the addition built. I have a few uncles with their own construction business who are going to help me with that. Right now I’m working on rounding up a staff, which I was hoping you could help me out with …” He opens a drawer and pulls out a laminated plastic badge, placing it on the counter with a light thud. When I read it, I clap my hands over my mouth.

HELLO MY NAME IS NAOMI





“Are you serious? Would you really give me a job here?”

Leon grins. “Of course! If you want one, that is.”

“Hell yeah, I do! What would I be doing? I don’t know much about restaurants, but I can learn. I’ll learn how to cook anything you want. I’ll listen to cooking audiobooks and become a gourmet chef. Or I can be a hostess! I think I’d like that. I could show people to their seats and give children crayons for their kids menus and say, ‘Welcome to Fireside, my name is Naomi!’”

“You can do whatever you like,” he says kindly, “but I’m hoping you’ll help with the decorating.”

I stare at him. “Really? Me?”

“Remember those Rocky Horror cutouts?” he says. “You made it look like they were holding a séance, which was so weird but also so awesome? Like, it’s the sort of thing people would remember if they came in and saw it.” I snort, remembering how many hours I spent arranging that scene, which indeed nobody came in and saw. I’d forgotten all about it. “I’m counting on you to make the place fun and memorable. A whole experience.”

I’m so excited, I could bounce off the walls like a rubber ball. “I can do that! Oooh, I have so many ideas already. If you’re going to have fake trees, we can hide little birds in them, and play nature sounds from tiny speakers. Maybe a waterfall feature somewhere? It doesn’t have to be big. Wait, yes it does! We’ll put FISH in it!” I shake his shoulders. “Real fish, Leon!” I’m chattering away, but then I think—“Brandy! Wait till she hears! You’re going to invite her to work here too, right?”

“I was going to, but I heard she got hired somewhere else.”

“Oh, she hates it there.” I’ve already got my phone out. “Brandy!” I shriek as soon as she answers. Leon laughs while I tell her to hurry up and get down to the Junk Yard.

Minutes later, she runs through the door. She’s wearing Golden Girls PJs, flip-flops, and a perfect smoky eye. Leon pulls two more name tags out of a drawer: one that says BRANDY and another that says MELISSA.

Brandy pins hers to her shirt and throws the other one in the garbage. Leon arches a brow.

“I can’t believe we’re all going to work together again!” she exclaims, tearing up. “My boss is so gross, you have no idea. According to my five-year plan, I’m still three years away from being able to move, so I need a win right now.”

Leon looks pleased to know he’s got two familiar faces on board with this new venture. “I’ve got to warn you, I’ve never run a restaurant before. Or any kind of business. But my aunt has, and she’s going to be joining us. There’s always a possibility it won’t be as successful as I’m hoping, so you’d be taking a chance. And in the beginning, I can’t afford to pay more than minimum wage—”

“I don’t care,” Brandy interjects.

I’m in agreement. “I love this place. I want to be a part of whatever it is you’re going to do with it.” The more I think about it, the stronger the vision grows in my mind’s eye. I’ll affix large, mossy stones around the windows and hang a canoe on the wall. Maybe we can give it an Alaska-outdoorsy feel, which Brandy will love. First thing tomorrow I’m going into my backyard to collect sticks, which I’ll twist into miniature trees with twine or use to adorn forest lanterns. I’m going to need some stuffed raccoons for sure. “I can’t believe you’re actually doing this,” I say. “This is—wow. Good for you, Leon!” I slug his shoulder, then add, “Duncan.”

“You remembered!”

“Yeah, yeah.” I wave him off, but he’s smiling. “How’s the car?”

“Better than yours,” he quips. “How’s the house?”

“Wonderful. I can’t tell you how glad I am that Nicholas bought it.”

“Did it work?”

I’m not sure I heard him right. “Did what work?”

“The house,” he replies. “Nicholas told me it was going to save you. She’s worth the pain of trying, is how he put it. Worth the risk of failing.”

My mouth pops open. “Did he? Well—yes. I suppose it did work. Or at least, I think it did. Hope it did.” When Nicholas threw me a curveball with the purchase of that house and told me it was going to save us, I’d been ready to give up. I feel a rush of affection and appreciation for Nicholas, who held on.

“What?” Brandy pokes him. “Did I miss something?”