Page 79 of Call it Fate

The restaurant was at the top of one of the tallest buildings in the city, allowing a beautiful panoramic view of the uptown area, which showed itself off in an array of lights. In the distance, I could see the flags flying around the city’s football stadium and the museum we’d been to earlier with Iain. The cool, light breeze was offset by a long, rectangular fire pit that threw off a lot of warmth.

Glancing the other direction, I could make out the unusual shaped building that was Johnson and Wales. I stared at it, allowing myself a few minutes to think about what it would be like to go back and finish my degree. What would it take to apply, and would I have the money to hire a manager as well as pay for tuition? I assumed we’d live with Zach, so at least housing wouldn’t be an issue.

“What’s caught your attention, sunshine?”

So wrapped up in my thoughts, I hadn’t heard Zach place a bottle of wine and two glasses on the table. “Just daydreaming,” I said as he handed me a glass of wine. I took a sip. “This is good.”

But he knew me well. He sat across from me and reached for my hand. “I can help you with that if it’s what you want,” he said, tipping his head in the same direction as the cooking school. “Do you think you could be happy here?”

“That feels like a loaded question.”

“It’s an honest one. One we need to talk about at some point.”

I nodded but didn’t say anything. It was hard to talk past the lump in my throat.

Zach threaded his fingers through mine. “I want to give you and Iain the world. It feels easier to do that here than back in Sterling Mill.”

“But thatisour world, Zach. At least for now.”

“Does that mean you’d consider moving here eventually?”

“It’s not quite that easy. The Dogtrot is more than a job. It’s my legacy. I have to make sure it survives, and I need to take care of my mother.”

“I get that. But do you have to live there to do it? Or could you do it better if you finished your degree? Either in cooking or in hospitality?”

I pondered the question. “That’s something to consider.”

It definitely made sense for me to consider moving here.

“Can I ask why it’s so important to you to get this residency? Aren’t you already able to do surgeries?”

Zach was pretty hung up on getting his advanced credentials. I knew he’d worked hard for it, but there was almost a desperate need as if there was no option other than getting it. I was pretty sure I knew the underlying reason he wanted it, and it was more than just the desire to be a surgeon.

Before he could answer, the hostess notified us our table was ready.

Nodding at her, Zack held his hand out to me. Just before we entered back into the main dining area, I froze.

A chill that not even the fire pit we stood next to could penetrate. Standing in a cluster of men along the glass perimeter just yards from where we’d been sitting, I could have sworn I saw a face I’d hoped to never see again.

“What’s wrong?”

“I…” I cleared my throat and glanced back at the railing. No one was there. Maybe it had been my imagination.

When I looked back at the men who were tossing back drinks like they were water, I saw at least two men of the same stature. “Um, nothing. I thought I saw someone I know. I was mistaken.”

He smiled and held the door for me, and I hurried inside, eager to be away from anyone that reminded me of Zach’s father. Being back in the city must have my mind playing tricks on me and conjuring the image of the man who once threatened me. I didn’t believe he was still a threat, but I didn’t want to put it to the test. I also still didn’t want to put Zach in the middle of it.

I was certain his father was the reason Zach was determined to get this internship. The little boy inside him was still trying to prove he was the best, hoping to satisfy his father’s selfish and exhausting expectations. And that alone was enough to make me dislike the man.

After we placed our orders, I sipped my wine while he told me stories from his days at veterinary school. In turn, I shared with him about some of my more interesting guests who’d stayed at The Dogtrot, including the very quiet couple who had left a vibrator under the bed along with eight empty condom wrappers.

“The impressive thing is they were only checked in for one night,” I informed him.

“That’s impressive stamina.” He tipped his chin at me. “I bet I can beat it.”

I laughed. Zach always aimed to be the best. “I’m sure you could, tiger, but I’m not sureIcould handle it.”

He grinned. “Wanna find out?” He waggled his eyebrows.

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