Page 43 of Winner Takes All

As I continue watching him, Victor’s mumbling something under his breath, probably a recipe or some new technique he’s trying out. His brow furrows in concentration, his lips set in a determined line. My smile grows. This is Victor, the man who always pushes himself, but also knows when to let go and laugh.

He might get frustrated at times, but he’s happy ninety-nine percent of the time. He’s this way because he chooses to be. Hesays happiness is a choice, and he chooses not to let the world get him down, not to allow himself to get stuck in his own head. I wish it was that easy for the rest of us. It’s easier for me by simply being with him.

I must make a noise because he turns. When he sees me, his face softens, a smile breaking across his face. “Hello, beautiful,” he says as goes to the sink and washes his hands then grabs a towel and dries them. “What a nice surprise to have you here.”

I laugh as I step forward. “You look so good in the kitchen,” I tell him.

“Dang right I do,” he says with a wink. “Nearly as good as you look.”

“Oh really? Are you one of those men who think a woman should be barefoot, pregnant, and in the kitchen?” I tease.

He throws his head back and laughs. “Now that’s an image I want to see in real life,” he tells me. He’s still teasing but I see a serious light in his eyes. I don’t know why I haven’t thought about having children with him, but now that the thought is in my mind, I fear it won’t ever go away. I’ve always assumed I’ll be a mother. Will Victor be the father? I like that thought a whole lot.

This isn’t a road we can take right now, not with everything else on my mind. “I made a pretty huge decision today,” I tell him.

His eyes gleam and I know he’s thinking I’ve come to talk about the restaurant. Maybe, but my other news first.

“What decision?” he asks, practically giddy. I can’t imagine how much it would hurt him if I told him I didn’t want to do it. I believe him that he wouldn’t hold it against me, but there’s no doubt it would hurt him.

I take in a deep breath, the words feeling like they’re stuck in my throat. I push them out anyway. “I got an offer last week from the Food Network to talk about a show,” I spit out.

His eyes widen in surprise. I see a bit of panic in his expression. It’s not because he fears me being more successful than him, it’s because he fears losing me. I don’t leave him hanging.

“I would’ve had to move to New York. I think I knew the second I read it that I was going to turn it down, but I forced myself to wait a week. I sent the email today to turn down the offer. I love my life here, and don’t ever want to live in a big city again.”

For a moment there’s silence. The air between us feels thick, charged with the weight of what I’ve said. I’ve had a week to think about this. I can give him a few minutes to process it all. I’m not sure what his reaction will be.

Finally a big smile breaks out on his face and he pulls me to him for a back-breaking hug. “I’m so damn proud of you, Nik. Do you know how few people get an offer like that? For you to turn it down is crazy, but I’m not complaining. I’d move for you, but I can’t stand city streets. They smell bad and are too crowded.”

I laugh with joy as he holds me. “Those were my thoughts exactly,” I tell him. “Plus, I can’t leave here. I don’t want to chase something that will never feel as right as this does here in our small town. I want to build something here... with you.”

His face is glowing as he looks at me, realizing what I’m telling him. “Are you sure, Nik? These are a lot of big decisions in one day. You don’t have to decide right now.”

“Have you changed your mind?” This isn’t something I’ve considered.

He vehemently shakes his head. “No way. But I want you to be as happy as I am,” he assures me.

“I don’t think it’s possible for anyone to be happier than you. You’re the most balanced person I’ve ever met,” I tell him with a laugh. “But, yes, Victor, I’m sure. I’ve never been surer of anything in my entire life... other than you.”

He beams as he lifts me from the ground and spins me in a circle, letting out a whoop that has Robert peeking through the bar window at us. He smiles, then turns away giving us privacy. He’ll surely be listening in though. There’s no way anyone in this town will miss out on gossip, especially if they think they’re going to be the first to hear it.

I’m dizzy by the time he sets me down, but I’m still smiling. His face suddenly goes serious as he reaches up and cups my cheeks, adoration shining in his eyes. Damn, I truly do love this man.

“I didn’t want to pressure you, Nik, but this makes me happier than you can imagine.” He pauses for a moment and his voice lowers. “I love you. I think I’ve loved you since high school, but was too stubborn to realize it. I love you so much, the thought of not being with you rips me apart. We will merge our dreams, and they’ll make us soar.”

My breath catches in my throat, and for a moment, I can’t speak. The words hang between us, heavy and beautiful. I beam at him. “I love you too, Victor. Maybe that’s what it was back in high school for me as well, but I’m so dang stubborn, and looking at you as a competitor was easier for me. I won’t ever let you go.”

His grin is so wide I think his face might split in half. He leans in and kisses me, and I melt against him. Everything in our lives is falling into place. His lips are warm and soft against mine, his hands gentle but firm as he holds me. It’s long moments before we pull back, both of us breathless.

“Where do we go from here?” I ask. My life’s been flipped upside down and all I feel is excitement.

“We start planning. We open our beachside restaurant that we plan from the ground up. We combine your talent and my... well, whatever it is I do, and we make it all work,” he says with a laugh.

“Humble doesn’t work on you, Victor. You know what a rockstar you are.”

He laughs as he shrugs. “Yeah, I’m pretty damn good, but nothing compared to you. That’s okay, though, because together we’re unstoppable.”

“We need to start planning. We’ve made the decision so I don’t want to waste any more time,” I tell him.

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