Page 129 of A Fool's Game

Dom huffs and turns to Ainsley. “He always this enthusiastic?”

Ainsley turns his megawatt smile on Taylor, who brightens a bit. “Yeah. Taylor likes to play his cards close to the chest.”

“Well, if dinner tonight was any indication of what you can do, it won’t be long before you’re going to be looking over your shoulder for undercover food critics and awards judges.”

“Dom can tell you all about how that goes,” Avery tosses from where he leans against the gleaming dark wood and copper bar we inherited from the Irish Pub.

Another huff from the famous chef as he shakeshis head. “I’m glad I have that Pendleton on my wall, but I’ll be damned if it wasn’t a long road to get there.”

“You all can ask Reina for that story next time you’re on the island,” Avery jokes.

“That is, if you ever get to leave this building, let alone this city, again,” Sam adds.

The crowd laughs at what is probably a very true statement. We’ve already learned how short our leashes are to this place, and it’s only been open one day.

But I’ve never been so ready for anything in my life.

After too many years of feeling like the odd one out, like I need to prove myself for even the smallest scrap of affection, I finally feel settled in a family. My family.

The building I now stand in. The house we own just two blocks from here on a quiet Queen Anne street. The two men I’m proud and lucky to call my partners.

If those aren’t the miracles the cards have always been promising, I don’t know what is.

“You know, this street was once home to a famous speakeasy,” Gabriel starts, craning his head to squint out the large front windows. “That building right over there was a barbershop with a trapdoor. When I was a kid, they reopened it as an underground bar. Prohibition was over, but nightlife was still frowned upon, especially in a neighborhood like Queen Anne.”

We all turn to look. It’s a high-end skin care product shop now, but the brick fronting gives away the building’s age.

“This space,” Gabriel says, gesturing to the cafe space around us, “was the little corner store. They sold penny candy and had a soda fountain along the back wall. Mrs. Fischer…” Gabrielsmiles, eyes taking on a faraway look as he clearly pulls something from deep in his memories. “I can’t believe I remember her name. She owned the shop and worked everyday, open to close. She’d chase us off when we didn’t have any pennies to spend, but she knew each of our names. And our parents. I spent many hours sitting on a stool right there at the front window, watching fancy dressed adults go into that barbershop.”

“I wonder if it’s still down there,” I muse aloud.

Gabriel just shrugs. “That was a long time ago. Probably wouldn’t be able to get permits for a basement bar like that anymore.”

“Did you ever get to go down there?” Lana asks, she and Eva both on the edge of their seats for more of Gabriel’s mysterious story.

A look passes across the old man’s face,and he seems to consider his words carefully. “Not until many years later.”

We all wait, but he seems to be done sharing.

“I’ll have to contact the building owner and find out if the space is still there.” I start, suddenly excited by the stories the old space could hold. “I’d love to?—”

“No new businesses for at least a few years, okay?” Taylor teases me from where he sits to my right on the booth bench, leaning most of his weight on my arm.

I turn to him, eyes narrowed playfully, and find happiness glowing in his eyes. I soften and smile. “Promise.”

Taylor

Doc greets us with a happy howl when I finally turn the key in our front door an hour later. I love the short walk between the cafe and the new house. As much as I lobbied to move into the loft space above Luna & Hearth, I’m much happier to have the little bit of separation this house allows. And offering the loft toSeth when he signed on was one of the proudest moments of my life thus far.

This is what it’s all about. Taking care of people. And taking care of yourself.

“I’m heading upstairs. I’m totally beat,” Ainsley announces, leaning in for a goodnight kiss from Gem and then from me.

Doc follows him down the hall, and I watch the two of them disappear into the darkness before flipping on a few lamps in our comfy living room and collapsing on the couch.

Gem curls up beside me. “I’m not far behind him. Tonight was amazing, but I’m not sure I’ve ever been so tired.”

I place a kiss on the top of her head and pull her in close. “I’m just going to take it all in for a bit out here.”

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