Page 89 of Timeless: Encore

Ronni nudges Zoey. They stare at me with cheesy grins. Zoey motions for me to speak.

“What?” I shrug. Roll my eyes up into my head. “Why are you looking at me that way?”

“Uh, did I hear you got a phone call?” Ronni gives me an exaggerated wink.

Zane. Fucking Zane. God, how I love him. “Yeah, looks like I’ll be nominated as an ‘Emerging Chef’ at the James Beard Foundation.”

“For a ‘chef who displays exceptional talent, character, and leadership ability, and who is likely to make a significant impact in years to come, while contributing positively to their broader community,’” Ronni reads from the website.

Zoey shakes her head. “Congratulations, that’s so amazing, Fee.”

“Thank you. It’s definitely a start.” I’ll admit, the potential accolade feels so validating. I can’t help but preen a bit.

The day Ty got home, Zane and I had a serious talk about our future. Realizing Lianne had a valid point about life being too short, we decided to leave the past behind us. Not bury it. Not avoid it. Not even forget it. Just leave it where it belonged. In a place that wouldn’t affect our happiness going forward. We’ve done the work. We have the tools if and when things get hard.

It’s time to live our lives.

Zane, with the blessing of his bandmates, fired Katherine and hired Isis Management, who will take over first thing next year. Zane, Ty, and Connor are planning to present Jace with a proposal for future touring when he gets home. Essentially, LTZ won’t tour for more than three months at a time, with special exceptions for awards shows, certain festivals, and industry appearances. They’re going to work the bands’ schedule around the kids’ school. My favorite part is each family is getting a custom tour bus so we have our own private space. Finally, all writing and recording of new material will be in Seattle.

At The Mission, we hired a general manager, booking agent, marketing manager. Opening night is New Year’s Eve and we’re already scheduled well into next year. So far, so good. When we posted the jobs, the crème-de-la-crème of Seattle came running. Apparently, it’s a fucking honor to work one of Seattle’s only remaining venues dedicated to live music. Especially one that pays high wages, healthcare and retirement, and believes in plenty of PTO.

As for Gus, I called up my team and told them I was ready to reopen. By the next week, my staff was back in Seattle and I presented them with my proposal: a partnership. I’m keeping fifty-one percent of Gus, Wolf keeps his ten percent. The rest is divided between Justice, Petra, Daire and Jetta. Daire and Jetta are responsible for the front of the house. The chefs will rotate oversight of the back-of-the-house on a quarterly basis, taking supporting roles the rest of the year with one entire quarter off.

“Let’s go check on the kids.” Zoey looks longingly at the wall that separates Gus from The Mission.

“Oh, you are so cute.” Ronni side hugs her. “New mommy brain. I swear to God, I’d stare at my boys for hours wondering how such perfect humans came out of my body.”

“Uh, because I’m their dad?” Connor’s big hands come to rest on her shoulders. He stands behind her. She looks up at him and smiles.

Zane scoots next to me, hanging off the edge of the seat. “Should we take Mia home? It’s nearly ten.”

“Doesn’t matter to us, we’ll be up on and off all night.” Ty kisses Zoey’s head then holds his hand out to her. She takes it and he helps her up.

She motions to her boobs. “Uh, it matters to me. I was trying to be discreet, but if I don’t get to Ollie soon…” She makes an exploding sound and corresponding gesture.

“Seems like it’s time to go.” I laugh. “Thank you all for coming tonight.”

“Should this be a once-a-month thing?” Zane offers. “I mean, once Alex and Jace get back.”

He’s so fucking adorable. And happy. Just like he deserves to be.

“Abso-fucking-lutely.” Ty hooks his arm around Zane’s neck. Connor just grins.

Ronni and Zoey look to me. “Are you alright with that, Fee?”

“Whose idea did you think it was? Family dinner once a month seems doable to me.” I slide my arm around Zane’s waist. Lean my head on his neck.

It’s funny the difference a year makes. Or a month, even.

Zane and I made a pact to live in the moment. To stop wasting energy on mourning things we wanted that were beyond our control.

We let go of our past …

Time suddenly stood still.

Fear. Hate. Anger. Hopelessness. Resentment.

Released.

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