Page 161 of That First Flight

I pass the server who just told me someone wanted to talk to me and the guy has a grin on his face.

Okay?

Maybe it’s not as bad as I think it’s going to be. Or maybe he just doesn’t realize I’m about to get my ass handed to me since he’s new.

Once I open the doors, I’m forced to stop dead in my tracks when my eyes land on the light, hardwood floor. There’s cherry blossom petals scattered everywhere and set up like a trail.

“I think you’re supposed to follow them,” the server whispers in my ear.

I don’t acknowledge him as I take slow tentative steps and follow the trail. My eyes scan the dining room and there’s maybe two tables left of people eating dinner and their eyes are all fixed on me.

The petals round the corner and I notice they stop at the double doors in the back. That’s the room we have reserved for overflow tables for busy Friday and Saturday nights, or available to rent out for events.

Two other servers scurry past me, each of them opening a door to the room as if I’m the Queen of England or something.

My eyes land on the man who flipped my world upside down standing in the center of the room. Not only is Oliver standing there inmyrestaurant but his hair is perfectly styled off to the side and he’s wearing a sharp light gray suit with a light green tie.

There’s no way the color of his suit is a coincidence. He has to remember that guys in gray suits are my weakness.

“What”—I pause, scanning the room—“what is this?”

“I told you when you texted me that I was here.” He shrugs.

Oh my god. This is not what I thought he meant when he sent that.

“But why?” I ask as I move to stand directly in front of him. Being so close, I’m hit with his cologne, a scent I’ve never smelt on him before butmy god,it’s intoxicating.

“I wanted to be here for your first night to celebrate your new job.” He takes both of my hands in his, bringing them to his lips to press a quick kiss to the tops of knuckles. My body ignites. “And I have a few surprises for you to celebrate.”

Oliver jerks his head to the right and standing off to the side are Flora and Samuel. My jaw drops, but I’m also smiling through it. My gaze snaps back and forth between Oliver and them and I am left completely speechless.

“Flora! Samuel! What are you guys doing in the city?” I rush to them and tackle them both in a hug.

“You didn’t think we would miss your first night as head chef, did you?” Flora scoffs with a hand on her chest. “When Mackenzie called me to tell me the plan Oliver had, we said yes so fast.”

“And dinner was delicious,” Samuel adds. “I give the raviolis ten stars.”

“You’re just saying that because you have to,” I joke.

“No. I’m saying that because I mean it.” He places a hand on my shoulder. “I’ve never been prouder of someone in my entire life. Since the day you walked into my bar looking for a job, I knew you would make it big one day.”

Tears well in my eyes and I have to blink them back to avoid getting overly emotional.

“Mom,” Mackenzie screams. I don’t have time to react before her small body is wrapped around me and she’s clinging to me like a koala in the trees.

“You’re here.” I hug her as tight as I can and there's nothing I can do to hold the tears back.

Everything I’ve ever fought for. Everything I’ve worked so hard for.

Everything was for her.

“How was your first night? Did you make potatoes? The bread and butter was so tasty and that buttered pasta you made was”—she kisses her two fingers before throwing them in the air—“chef's kiss.”

I should have known that dish was for a child. I just didn’t know it would be mine.

“Slow down, killer. Everything went great. The night was perfect.”

Mackenzie releases her hold on me and I put her to the ground. Some of the most important people in the world are here celebrating my success. How did I get so lucky?

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