Page 102 of Told You So
She shrugs and looks down at her feet. “I only got an eight hundred,” she murmurs, but when she looks at me again, her smile is wide and she begins jumping up and down, like she suddenly can’t contain herself, like she’s been holding in her excitement for too long.
“And you were worried.” I shake my head. “This is cause to celebrate.” I lift her into my arms. “Bethany Fairchild,” I tell her, licking my lips. She giggles and looks at me expectantly as I walk her down the hallway. “I’m going to immortalize your body right now. Do you have any objections?”
With a trill of laughter, she shakes her head, her ponytail tickling the backs of my arms. “No objections.”
“Good,” I say, triumphantly tossing her down onto my bed. “Because I am never letting you leave my room.”
Epilogue
Nick
8 Months Later
“Nick,” Bethany grunts from over by the unpacked inventory. “I need help with this one.” She huffs, and the strain in her voice has me maneuvering around Anna Marie and Trent, my two staff for the night, and into the back room as quickly as I can.
“Babe,” I chide, taking the case of beer from her. “I told you I got these ones. If youreallywant to help, make sure Anna doesn’t drink all the bubbles before I get a chance to officially open the bar.”
Bethany gives me “the look” but pecks me on the cheek. “Let’s be honest, you’re only stocking it for her anyway,” she clarifies.
“Yeah, I know. How did I let her talk me into that, exactly?”
With an airy laugh, Bethany brushes her hair out of her face. “It seems I’m not the only one who can’t tell her no.”
I concede and shake my head. “Hey, I thought you were supposed to be at home studying? Your final is important. You don’t have to help me get ready for tonight.”
Bethany wraps her arms around my neck and tilts her head to the side, giving me another one of her looks. “Grad school is important, but this ishuge, and I want to be here with you. Studying can wait for one night.”
Slowly, I lean in and kiss her. Happy. Grateful. None of this would be happening if it wasn’t for her. “I love you,” I say, breathing her in. Everything about her is comforting and makes me feel whole.
“I love you, too, but you can show me later.” She winks and turns to walk away. “We have an opening to prepare for—oh,” she says, stopping short. “My dad said he’d be late—some meeting or something. But they’re definitely coming.”
“Good. I couldn’t have done this without him.”
Bethany’s mouth quirks up and she studies me a moment.
“What’s that look for?”
“I think it’s good you two are partners,” she finally says. “It’s forced him to get to know you better.”
“True, and I got my dream bar in the process. But, if everything works out accordingly, we won’t have to be business partners for much longer.”
Bethany shrugs. “He knows you’re good for the money. My dad might have a big learning curve when it comes to fatherhood, but when it comes to this stuff he knows his shit. He wouldn’t invest in a risk.”
I follow behind Bethany and set the case of beer down on the counter beside Trent. “These can go in the fridge when you get a sec.”
Trent nods.
“Like I told Bethany,” Anna Marie says. “We got this.” She finishes lighting the votive holders. “Go say hi to your early arrivals. I’ll keep an eye on everything back here, don’t you worry about a thing.” She winks, her smile mischievous as always.
“I’m going to regret hiring you, aren’t I?”
She tosses her brown hair back and lifts her shoulder. “I don’t know, it’s only one night a week. How much trouble can I get into?”
“Ha! Do I even need to answer that?” Taking a deep breath, I peer around the bar, making sure everything is in place. It’s exactly how I’d always pictured it—Mac’s photos of the crew over the years, of baseball and hockey games, camping and beach trips lining the brick walls, black and white photos of old Downtown Saratoga for that nostalgic flare I wish we could stay in forever.
“Yo, Nick!” Mac calls as she and the gang walk through the front door. She’s dressed like it’s a fashion show, not a bar opening, and I welcome her with a smile. They’ve seen the bar a hundred times already, the guys helping me gut the place and the ladies taking the lead on the finishing touches, but they look around in awe all the same.
Sam moves in for a hug first, and I have to bend down to fully appreciate it. “I’m so happy for you,” she says, squeezing me. “Congratulations.”
