Page 75 of Silent Partner (Pine Falls 3)

I smiled at Sammy, who was giving me a toothless grin. “Who wouldn’t be, holding this little guy?”

“It seems like more than that.” Dani smiled.

I wanted to tell her about Brant but didn’t want her to freak out when she seemed so normal today. Though in truth, it was more than Brant. I looked around my restaurant, and there was this contagious happy vibe buzzing all around us. I thought part of it was that the holidays were upon us, but ever since the royal highnesses had been vanquished, the mood had lightened significantly around here. Plus, the increased foot traffic made me quite happy.

“Life is just good right now,” I replied.

“This place is sure hopping.” Ariana smiled.

“Business has been good.”

“Speaking of business, when will everything be settled with Giselle and Carter?” Dani hissed their names.

“Hopefully soon,” I sighed. “Giselle is being difficult, but Dominique told their lawyers this morning that the offer we’d given them is about to start decreasing dramatically, and if this goes to court, Dominique will be basing the worth of the restaurant off of the evaluation they had done to give me that insulting offer.” I grinned evilly. “I admit, that gives me a lot of satisfaction.”

My sisters laughed.

“Serves them right.” Ariana took a sip of her water. “They are such spoiled brats.”

“This is true. I just hope they don’t take it to court. I have big plans for this place.”

“You have for a long time. I’m happy you’re finally getting to realize some of them.” Dani’s tone bordered on I’m-so-happy-for-you-and-please-be-careful. There was no doubt why. She knew as well as I did who would be funding those plans. Believe me, I understood where she was coming from. But the alternative wasn’t a good one for me or my employees.

Speaking of employees, Jai showed up with three nicoise salads and placed one in front of each of us. It was a French-inspired salad that I was planning on adding to our new menu.

“Thank you, Jai. You didn’t have to serve us.”

“I gotta keep the boss lady around here happy. She’s a tyrant,” he teased, making us all laugh.

“How is it going back there?” I asked. I wasn’t going to lie, I kind of missed being in the thick of things. Sure, I was still in the kitchen, perfecting our new menu items and documenting my process, but it wasn’t the same as the hustle and bustle of creating dish after dish to the tick of the clock. I missed the satisfaction of knowing people were enjoying what I had so lovingly put my heart into. Not to say I wasn’t loving my new role, but my soul would always be connected to the kitchen.

“It’s a well-oiled machine now that I’m in charge,” he bragged.

“I’ll give you that.” He really had stepped up to the plate, and even while training the new hires, they were hitting home runs.

“For that admission, I have to say this creation is all Kinsley. You ladies enjoy.” He swaggered back to the kitchen.

“You know,” Ariana said, “Priyanka might be a fool for overlooking him.”

We all laughed. Everyone knew of Jai’s obsession with her.

I loved how easily the laughter came. It had been missing for a while now. I hoped it was back for good. Ariana and Dani were everything to me.

I pointed at my salad. “Let me know what you think. I want to add this item to our new menu.”

They both dug in while I kissed Sammy’s head. I wasn’t really hungry. I was in that living-off-love stage. Too many butterflies in my stomach to think about food. Thankfully, my sisters seemed to have an appetite. Immediately, I could tell they loved the salad made of red potatoes, Boston lettuce, green beans, Italian tuna, hard-boiled eggs, and a homemade dressing using white wine and dijon mustard.

“Mmm,” Dani said while she chewed.

Ariana had the same reaction. “This is fantastic,” she said after swallowing her first bite.

I loved nothing more than making people happy with food. Okay, so maybe I loved a few things more, like the man who consumed my thoughts day and night. How could anyone blame me, though? He was personally serenading me every night before I fell asleep, and let’s not forget about his chest.

“I’m happy you love it. I’m planning on having the new menu done by January first.” I figured that was the perfect time to start fresh.

“That’s just around the corner.” Ariana shoved another bite in her mouth.

Dani rubbed her tiny baby bump. “We’ll know if this baby is a boy or a girl by then.” She spoke so serenely.

“I can’t wait to snuggle that little girl or boy. Any guesses?” I asked.

Dani grinned. “I don’t care one way or the other, and Brock says he doesn’t either, but I can tell he would love a boy. Don’t get me wrong—he’s the best girl dad around. Gemma has that man wrapped around all of her fingers.”

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