Page 126 of Broken Deal

As I sit here, at the same beach where we told each other our deepest secrets, enjoying the warm breeze, I can’t help but wonder, if I hadn’t walked out of my restaurant that day to take a break from it all, would I have still met Sophia? If Aria hadn’t insisted Sophia come to my birthday party, would fate have found another way to weave our lives together?

It’s a strange thought, contemplating the butterfly effect of our choices. Every moment—every decision—has the power to alter the course of our lives. I think back to that day when I felt like I was drowning in expectations and responsibilities. How life pushed us to find each other anddiscover within each other what we needed, and what we deserved.

Sophia approaches, holding a small cake she worked on baking all day while FaceTiming Isabella for help. I love my girl, but she’s a lousy cook and baker. I tried to help her, but she slapped my hand away and told me to get out, and I cherish my life, so I listened. The cake is round, with a simple white frosting and wobbly red handwriting that spellsHAPPY BIRTHDAY ACE. As she sings “Happy Birthday” to me, I look at her with a smile, holding back the lump forming in my throat and the happy tears.

As I blow out the candles, I can’t shake the feeling that I’m celebrating more than another year of life. I’m celebrating the serendipity of love, the twists and turns that brought Sophia into my world. I’m grateful for the chance encounters, the gentle nudges from fate that led us here. It’s a reminder that sometimes, in the chaos of life, the universe has a way of guiding us to where we truly belong.

Without her, I wouldn’t have realized the life I was living wasn’t sustainable. Now, thanks to her, I’m pursuing what I love. While my restaurants are being managed by people I trust, I decided to start culinary school. To many, that seemed surprising and like a waste of time, given how much experience I already have. But it feels right. I’m working toward something, an achievement I can’t wait to accomplish. I still have a year left, but in the meantime, the simplicity of it all makes me feel…complete.

Sophia has grown into her incredible career in no time, and it’s nothing short of inspiring. After much back and forth, she had a meeting with Nico about six months ago, which led her to accept the editor-in-chief position where she worked until recently. She has been doing such a fantastic job, especially withVogue Elitetransitioning to newmanagement. Because of her dedication and talent, she was offered the Executive Director of the Midwest Region, overseeing all the editor-in-chiefs in the area.

It’s been amazing to witness her career blossom from what it was a mere year ago. She has finally started to receive the recognition she deserves for all the hard work she’s put in.

“We should go back and cut the cake. I can’t promise it’s good, though.” Sophia grimaces.

I kiss the side of her head, chuckling. “I’m sure it’s great.”

As we walk back into the villa, the same one that gave us the summer of our lives last year—which we own now—the nerves start to bubble up. Sophia busies herself cutting the cake, her laughter filling the space, while I glance at my phone. A text from Aria pops up, and I have to hold back a laugh at their impatience.

Aria

Where are you?!

Me

Still at the house.

Aria

Enzo, OMG!

Aria

Lorenzo Mancini, I don’t have all of my life, you know? Get to it. —Charlotte

Me

We’ll arrive at the restaurant in thirty,max. I promise.

Aria

I’m starting a timer. Hurry up!

The restaurant I opened in Panamá has quickly become my favorite—not because of its success, but because of what it represents. I named it after Sophia’s nickname—Blue—but in Spanish, Azúl. The whole place is imbued with soft, romantic vibes, with Madagascar periwinkles adorning the outside—all purple, of course. The restaurant feels like an extension of us, something we’ve built together, though she doesn’t know just how much yet.

Aria even made a series of beautiful paintings that hang on the walls, and it’s all been coming together piece by piece. Every time we visit, we add something new—something to give it that homey feel. Because that’s what I want this restaurant to be for us—a place we can always come back to, filled with memories and reminders of the life we’re building.

“Here, try,” she says, lifting a forkful of cake to my mouth.

A satisfied groan escapes me as I savor the rich, chocolate goodness. “Baby, this is amazing.”

Her blue eyes sparkle, stealing my breath away. “Yeah?”

I nod, wrapping my arm around her waist. She leans into me, her arms slipping around my shoulders as our lips meet in a slow, sweet kiss. It’s crazy how each day I grow more addicted to her. Doesn’t matter how much time has passed, the love I have for this woman consumes every bone in my body.

“We’re going to be late,” I say, reluctantly pulling back and grabbing her hand.

“Where are we going?” She frowns, letting go to slip on her sandals then trailing behind me.

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