Page 49 of The Holiday Fail

“Hey, son. Got a minute?”

I folded the duvet cover that had faded after many cycles in the wash and nodded. “Hey,Bàba. What’s up?”

“Andy has a proposal for the B&B about expanding the kitchen. Your pops and I want you to hear him out and make the final decision.”

My hand paused as I turned to face him. Ever since I’d started working at the B&B full time, my dads had always included me in making decisions for the B&B since I would take over one day, but this was the first time they wanted me to take full and complete charge of something.

At first, I started panicking, thinking they might know what was happening between Andy and me, but if that was the case, wouldn’t it make more sense for them to exclude me, so I wasn’t biased?

Dad must have seen the surprise on my face because he chuckled and clapped me on the shoulder. “You give everything you have to the B&B, and we think you’re ready. Your pops and I think it’s time for us to take a step back. We’ll still be here to help, but we know you’ll take care of this place.”

I didn’t chuckle with him.

“I…” I didn’t know what to say. We’d had many conversations about me taking the reins at the B&B, but I never imagined they’d spring this on me like this, with me standing in the middle of our linen closet surrounded by black trash bags filled with donations.

Dad laughed again, then gently pulled my arm to guide me out of the closet. “Andy’s waiting in the office right now to give the proposal, and we know you’ll make the best decision for Fated Encounters.”

That had my mouth hanging open again. I was just starting to accept that they were going to letmetake charge of the restaurant idea Andy had, but I didn’t think he meantright this second.

I was still processing by the time Dad led me through the lobby and to the tiny office behind the receptiondesk. The room was mostly used for admin work or the rare in-person interviews we got. Currently, Andy was sitting in the leather chair facing the desk. He turned around and looked as shocked as I probably felt when he saw me.

Before I could say anything, the door behind me closed, leaving only Andy and me inside the room.

“What are you doing here, Levi?” Andy took a step toward me and held out his hand as if he wanted to wrap me up in his arms. My body moved closer too, as if automatically seeking him out, but Andy dropped his hand before we could touch. He looked behind me at the door with a nervous expression.

We hadn’t been particularly safe about not getting caught while messing around at the B&B, but even I agreed we should probably be a bit more professional here in the office.

I cleared my throat and walked around the desk to sit across from Andy. “I’m here to listen to your proposal,” I replied with my hands clasped in front of me on the desk. I probably looked very professional at that moment, if I said so myself.

Andy returned to his seat and looked at me with confusion. It was clear what his expression meant. He was wondering why I was here instead of my dads.

“I’m also one of your bosses, remember?” I reminded him.

“I know,” he said softly. “Sorry, I just wasn’t expecting you.” He looked at his lap and played with his hand. After a moment, he looked up again. “I know you want to do what’s best for the B&B but…”

My heart beat loudly in my chest. Was he going to use our relationship to get what he wanted? I didn’t think he was that kind of guy, but Andy had worked hard on this proposal for the past few months.

He hadn’t told me in detail what he had planned. Just something about wanting to open the restaurant up to the public, but he was pretty secretive about everything else. If hewas so invested in this idea, would he do everything possible to make sure the idea got the go-ahead?

My fingernails pressed into my skin as he continued speaking, “I hope you won’t let what this thing is between us sway your decision. I only want you to approve of this proposalifyou think this plan is ready to be implemented. If not, I’ll redo the proposal as many times as needed until it is.”

I loosened my fingers. This was the Andy I’d grown to adore over the course of his stay here. He didn’t take the easy way out or try to find shortcuts. He charged toward his goal with steady determination and the belief that he’d accomplish everything he set out to do.

My hand itched to reach out to grab his. But he was keeping things professional, so I needed to as well. I smiled, and with a nod, I replied, “I promise. In here, I’m your boss and the caretaker of Fated Encounters B&B, and nothing more.”

Andy sighed with relief, then returned my smile. I gestured for him to start his presentation, and he handed me the packet of papers for me to review. As I looked through the pages, Andy explained his plans in detail. I was surprised at the amount of research he’d put into this. I figured the packet would only contain logistics of how he planned on implementing the restaurant and the menu, but it also contained data on the restaurants in town.

Apparently, he’d found time to speak with some employees from dining establishments all over town, found an area of necessity within the industry, and used that information to predict the probability of success for this plan. There were charts and business lingo that made my head spin.

“My best friend, Casey, helped me sort out some of the more technical side of the data. He’s a food critic and has eaten at hundreds of fine dining establishments, and Ican proudly say this idea has his seal of approval,” he said, looking proud but also sheepish somehow.

“Wow,” I said as I absorbed everything he’d presented. Andy was thoroughly prepared to make this venture real and had even canvased the employment market for the influx of staff we’d need to make this happen. He’d already talked to a few high schoolers who were eager to get a part-time job and could start as soon as possible, and he’d talked to Julie about going full time for the holiday season.

“You say you also want to do special events during the holidays and give those in the community who don’t have anyone to celebrate with a place to go?” I asked. I was very interested in this idea. The B&B stayed open during the holidays, and we usually did something small for them, but nothing on a grand scale like Andy was suggesting.

He nodded. “I found that most places in town aren’t open during Thanksgiving or Christmas, which is fair, since they deserved to spend the holidays with their families.” He leaned in closer and put a hand by his mouth like he was telling me a secret. “I spoke to some of the town gossips and learned that there’s a group of people who don’t have family living in the area and usually spend the holidays alone. I think holiday events would not only bring in money for the B&B, and it would establish the place even more as a pillar in the community.” He paused, looking a bit shy as he looked at me. “And I think it’ll be a wonderful thing to bring people together with food during a time when those who are alone feel the loneliest.”

Fuck, this man was just too wonderful.

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