Page 96 of For Butter or Worse
He held the door handle and didn’t open it. “What would Dad think?”
“He’d think you don’t really have a choice. You’ve literally never taken a vacation. It’s time for you to have a break.” Gavin smirked.
He couldn’t argue with that logic. Leo suffered from extreme burnout, according to his therapist. Working constantly since high school, coupled with the stress of losing his father and taking on the emotional burden of his family, had triggered his first panic attack. His family and the business had continued to be a catalyst for the subsequent ones.
So he had to find a work-life balance and retrain his brain so he could prioritize his mental health. He’d spent most of his adulthood trying to be perfect so that his mom and brother would have one less thing to worry about, but that had just led him to being a human hamster on a constant spinning wheel of doom.
“Seriously, though, Dad wouldn’t want you to feel bad about this,” Gavin said. He gave Leo’s shoulder a squeeze. “I mean, all Dad ever did was pursue his passion. He loved Italian food and made a job out of cooking. His wholethingwas about doing what made you feel good. Obviously, running the restaurant is making you feel like shit. You need to take time off so you can feel happy to come into work again instead of stressed.”
Leo had to stop himself from countering, because Gavin was right.
“How will Vinny’s survive without my crowd-pleasing bone structure?” Leo finally said.
“They’ll just have to learn to love my dad bod.” Gavin opened the door for Leo. “I’ll come over tonight with The Usual.”
Leo turned, walked out the door and couldn’t bring himself to look back as he made his way to the parking lot.
The drive home was quiet. The sky was a cloudless, crisp blue, which matched the cooler February temperatures. Vinny’s was located in downtown Pasadena, and his house was a five-minute drive away, but he wasn’t ready to go home, so he continued to drive.
As he came to a bend where he could turn around and head toward the highway, a billboard caught his eye.
The Next Cooking Champ!was emblazoned in a fiery scroll. Two hosts, who were most definitely not him or Nina, smiled back. One held a dramatically long match that was lit at the tip, while the other extended a plate of perfectly cooked ribs toward passing drivers.
Leo nearly ran into the car in front of his. He pulled over and parked. His grip on the steering wheel loosened. He leaned forward and allowed himself to stare.
Had Nina seen this? Did she find it as unsettling as he did to know they would just carry on as if the last three seasons had never happened?
He pulled out his phone and snapped a photo.There was only one other person in the entire world who could understand what he was going through.
So maybe casually reaching out would be okay. He wasn’t asking for anything. Just acknowledging that this part of their career had ended. Letting her know she wasn’t alone, if she did want to talk to someone. Not that it had to be him. He wasn’t expecting anything in return.
So he went into his texts, typed in Nina’s name and uploaded the photo.
We are much better looking, he texted.
Then immediately deleted the text, and the photo.
He ran a finger across his bottom lip as he stared at the screen. He wanted to reach out, but he’d promised himself he’d do better by her. His mother’s words came back to him.Be bold.And he would.
38
NINA
Nina spun in a slow circle. Her eyes widened with wonder at the bright new kitchen. Stainless-steel prep counters, a row of gleaming ovens, a gas range with multiple burners and an expansive steam table. All shiny and new. Her version of Candy Land.
“There’s also a walk-in fridge and freezer just behind that door.” The real-estate agent gestured to the back corner of the kitchen.
“What’s behind door number three? A brand-new car?” Nina laughed at her own joke. The agent did not. “Sorry, bad joke.”
Leo would’ve loved that joke, she thought. Then immediately tried to forget him again.
She turned to check on Jasmine.
But Jasmine’s mouth was almost in a frown. Even her gorgeous high bun sagged, and her right foot jiggled so aggressively it started to shake her shoulders as well.
“Can we have a moment to discuss?” Nina asked the Realtor, who smiled politely and left the room.
Nina placed her hands on the cool, stainless-steel countertop that sat in the middle of the kitchen. She remembered what it was like to look at potential spots for her first restaurant, how that decision had seemed like it was the most important one she’d ever make. She didn’t want to minimize that for Jasmine, but...the space was ideal.
