Page 68 of Forbidden Vows

“I think so, too. It will have coffee beans from around the world, a nice selection of fine teas, and artisanal hot chocolate.”

She nods excitedly. “Excellent. What about food?”

“The bar will have a pastry section filled with a variety of pastries baked fresh every morning. Italian cakes, French croissants, Danishes, etc. I was thinking about offering some breakfast sandwich options, too, for people on the go. Everything else will be on the bistro menu. I’m also looking into getting an in-house master chocolatier—there’s room next to the roastery for a confectionery space. Something unique to our café. It could be the start of a gourmet brand.”

“What’s your color scheme?”

I laugh lightly. “Oh, wow, I feel like I’m at a job interview.”

“More likeShark Tank. Talk to me,” Laura replies, an excited expression on her face. It warms my heart to have her support and enthusiasm.

I give her a curious look. “Shark Tank? Are you interested in making an investment?”

“Maybe. You’ve got spunk and a fabulous entrepreneurial spirit. Anton wouldn’t have bought this place if he didn’t have faith in you. We never got around to looking at that vision board of yours, though, and I don’t remember all the details. So, walk me through it. I just may have a chocolatier for you.”

“Oh?”

“An ex-colleague of mine from Paris. He just wrapped up a ten-year contract at Hotel Costes, and he’s looking to put his roots down back here in his hometown.”

“And the good news just keeps on coming.” I smile broadly. “It was salmon and gold, for the most part.”

“What was?” Laura asks.

“The color scheme,” Ian and I reply at the same time.

I give him a warm smile. “You remembered.”

“With plush cream-colored seating, I believe?” he adds.

“Ditch the yellow gold, go for white gold,” Laura suggests. “Do off-white or ivory and emerald-green seating. Play with the bold contrast across the entire lounge area. The dining space should follow along the same lines, with cream, powder pink, and lime-green chairs. White marble tables with white gold for the metallic details. Oh, I can already see it coming together,” she gasps with delight.

I join in on the fun as we casually stroll around the room, our gazes lost in the future. I point to the ceiling. “Tom Dixon lighting. You know, those minimalistic orbs?”

“The white-gold ones and throw in a black smoked-glass version here and there.”

“For contrast, yeah, I see where you’re going with this.”

Laura pauses to affectionately look at me. “Anton is the luckiest son of a gun, I’ll tell you that much.”

“What makes you say that?” I laugh, feeling my cheeks blush.

“Because we’re going to be on the same page when it comes to renovating the Karpov mansion. I’ve got that on my project sheet, and I’m going to need your stylish brain to back me for what I’m about to do with that place.”

“In that case, it sounds like you’re the lucky one, not Anton.”

Laura thinks about it for a second. “No, he’s the lucky one. You are literally the first woman he’s ever brought home that I actually adore.”

“You’re too kind.”

“I’m honest. I don’t care much for your stepsister.”

“I don’t think Ciara cares much for herself either, sometimes.” I sigh deeply.

“How is she doing?” Laura asks. “We’re all pretty jittery about that engagement of hers, to be honest. Even some of the families in the Bratva have expressed concerns on the matter, but Anton and Andrei are doing their best, trying to calm them regarding the possibilities to come.”

Just then, I hear the doors open. I turn to see who it is.

“Paddy!” I exclaim as I recognize my father’s most trusted security enforcer. “What are you doing here?” I rush over to hug him.

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