Page 42 of Winner Takes All

“I’ve been thinking a lot about the restaurant ever since we got back from our trip.” He pauses for a moment. “I don’t want it to be only mine any longer.”

This confuses me. “What do you mean?”

He stops walking and pulls me around to face him again. “I want to do it with you. I want to do it differently than I originally thought. After being in the Bahamas, I want something even more light and airy. I want it on the beach with a huge outdoor area where our friends and family can gather and dance. I want to be in the kitchen cooking with you. I want to plan it with you, design it with you, and cook with you. It can beourplace together. We can still travel the world and bring all of the ideas back to our place, but we can do it together, and really make it into something special.”

My breath catches in my throat. “I... I don’t know what to say,” I whisper. “This is your dream. I never even thought of opening a restaurant before.”

“We’ve both changed a lot in the past few months. I don’t see why it can’t be our dream together. You could still film yourvlogs, but in a state-of-the-art kitchen with cameos from our incredible staff. You could include our patrons who’d love it. I think the two worlds would mingle beautifully,” he says.

I laugh. “I don’t know why I’ve never considered a restaurant,” I tell him.

“We can change the plans I already have, or throw them out completely and start over. When I say I want a partner, I want anequalpartner. I’ll never think it’s mine and you’re tagging along. You make me strive harder, and I think I do the same for you. We bring out the best in each other. This won’t be something we ever regret if you take a chance on me... take a chance on us.”

“You might regret this if I agree to it,” I tell him.

He pulls me close and holds me for several moments. I feel a rush of emotion, excitement, fear, confusion. But this idea is giving me far more joy than that letter from the Food Network. This is something I could be passionate about, that could truly be ours. This wouldn’t be others telling me what to do.

I wouldn’t have to put on some fake persona on television. I could still be myself, and still love what I do. There’s freedom in accepting this offer where it feels like chains accepting the other. I still need to think about it, though. I’ve never been impulsive, and don’t want to start being that way now when making one of the most important decisions of my life.

“It’s okay for our dreams to change, Nik. I thought I’d be a mechanic when my time in the military was over. My dad took it so well when I told him I had a different dream. I’m happy, happier than I’ve ever been. Don’t give me an answer today, but think about it. I’ll support you no matter what you decide. It won’t affect us. We’re meant to be together whether we share a business or not.”

How is it possible to have two incredible offers in one day? Is fate playing tricks on me? Is there a devil on one shoulder and an angel on the other? Both offers sound like a dream. Onesimply appeals to me more. I don’t have to choose either though. There’s freedom and fear in knowing this.

“I’ll think about it,” I tell him, my voice barely above a whisper.

He pulls me close again and kisses me. “Good. We won’t discuss it anymore tonight. We won’t discuss it again until you’re ready. I don’t want to pressure you. I also don’t want to push my dreams on you. I want you to do what you love as much as you encourage me to do what I love. We’re a team, Nik, and that’s the one thing I don’t want to change.”

He kisses me again and my heart beats faster. Then he turns our bodies and stands behind me, his arms wrapped around my waist as we watch another glorious sunset in our favorite place in Seaville. I gaze out at the horizon, my mind a whirlwind of thoughts. I have a week to decide what to do. I’m sure whatever decision I make, I’ll be happy with it. That’s all I can ask of myself.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Nikki

I’ve never been so terrified... or so sure about anything in my life. Turning down the Food Network feels like jumping from an airplane with no parachute. Who does that? I’ve carefully worked on my email for the last two days. I read over it for the hundredth time. It’s now or never. I finally hit the send button and my stomach flips while my heart thunders against my ribs. I’ve done it.

For years I dreamed of my own national television show, of seeing my name in lights, of having people recognize me so I could say I’ve made it. I’ve worked hard building my brand, pushing myself to the edge and beyond, believing fame actually means something and success is what gives us happiness. I realize now how wrong I was.

All I need to be happy is right here in my small town of Seaville where I’m surrounded by friends and family, where I have the love of my life at my side. This is happiness. I don’t care anymore if no one knows my name. Who really wants the reality of fame? It seems appealing on one side. But fame brings trauma.

If I’m famous I won’t be able to take my future children to Disneyland without bodyguards. If I’m famous I can’t go to the beach and have a bonfire without worry. Fame is highlyoverrated. I’d rather simply be me and live my life to the fullest without cameras following me everywhere.

Sure, I’ve been recognized from my vlog, but those sightings are few and far between. And the people who’ve come up to me are regular people with a passion for cooking. They aren’t wanting to invade my life. I love my followers. I couldn’t have the dream of cooking every day for a living without them. I want to meet them, want them to say hi. But I no longer want fame. I don’t want people to want to meet me because I’m on television. I want those who follow me to chat about their favorite recipes and their passion for cooking. It should be about them and not me. My how I’ve changed in the past few months. I like it.

I have no regrets about sending the email. It’s done. The Food Network is off the table and a huge weight has been lifted from my shoulders. This allows me to think about Victor. I still haven’t told him about the offer. I will today. I want to share everything with him. He’ll understand that I needed to make this decision on my own. We can be partners and still have separate lives at times. We don’t want to be the same person. That would be boring.

I love how his eyes light up every time he looks at me, love the way his arms tighten and he holds me as if he’ll never let go, and love that our hearts beat as one. I also love that we have two separate minds that challenge each other. We really are meant to be. I’ve found my place in this world, and from here on out, life will continue to get better with each new dawn.

I need to find him. He’s most likely at his dad’s shop right now. He’s paused everything on the restaurant until he hears what I want to do. This is how I know he’s serious about partnering with me. He doesn’t seem upset about it at all. And though it’s been a week since we had our conversation on the beach, he hasn’t pressured me once, or even seemed upset thatI haven’t made a decision. He’s the same loving man he’s been from the moment we decided to be in a relationship.

I move along the streets, listening to the waves gently crashing on the shore, enjoying the scent of salt in the air, and love the sound of Seagulls griping at me for walking by and not feeding them. This place really is home. It’s not just a place to lay my head, but a place to thrive. Victor’s a huge part of that.

I need to talk to Victor now. If I message him he’ll drop anything to come when I need him. But taking this walk is necessary. It’s not an emergency. I took a week to make this decision. A few more minutes before I talk to Victor isn’t going to hurt me.

I make my way to the shop and no Victor. There’s only one more place he might be. If he’s not, I’ll have to send that message because I don’t think I can stand waiting hours to talk to him.

I move away from the shop and make my way to Robert’s bar, smiling when I see the backdoor open and hear Victor’s voice. I stare in at him standing at the oven, his elbows deep in dough, flour dusting his forearms and shirt. It makes me smile. He loves this kitchen because he gets to visit with Robert, feed the patrons, and maybe have a beer or two while doing it.

Robert never turns him down because it draws in crowds. Robert is more than happy for his friend to be opening his own place, but he’ll miss having him at the bar from time to time. There’s no competition between them as there’s plenty of room in town for multiple places to eat.

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