Page 116 of I'm Looking for a Man in Finance
I glanced toward the kitchen to see Lorenzo, where he appeared less and less these days as he enjoyed a proper retirement. His trusty peel in hand as he pulled pizzas out of the brick oven and replaced them with fresh ones. Once the restaurant had gotten busy enough to afford double the staff, my grandmother convinced my grandfather that it was okay to let go.
When he did, he finally let my dad and uncle take full control of the business, just like everyone had hoped. But the surprise came when he handed me something more.
After Hallie and Roxie’s glowing review brought the restaurant a flood of attention—mentions in major critic columns, a few national lists, even a short feature on a travel food show—I finally asked to be more than just the grandson who helped out when he wasn’t stuck in finance meetings. I wanted to be part of it for real. To have skin in the game. My grandfather, who never gave anything away lightly, pulled me aside and offered me his stake in the company.
When I wasn’t busy building something great with Theo Drake and Rooster, I was here, helping the pizzeria cement its legacy.
Now Lorenzo spent his mornings meeting up with hisfriends at a coffee shop down the street, and his evenings hosting poker nights in the dining room.
“James. Hallie.” Brandon appeared at our table. He was still working at the restaurant waiting and bussing tables, but after expressing an interest in the business side, my uncle and father gave him a seat at the table so he could learn the ropes. “Do you want your usual? It’s on the house tonight, per Nonno. Congratulations, by the way.”
Hallie gave me a soft smile.
“Thanks, Brandon. The usual would be great. Where’s Emilia?”
“She has practice tonight. Are you guys coming to her game this weekend?”
“We wouldn’t miss it,” Hallie told him.
My cousin bowed his head before disappearing into the kitchen where I could see him speaking with our grandfather.
“How would you feel about a night cap at Whiskey Locker?” I reached across the table to take Hallie’s hand in mine.
I couldn’t believe the stroke of luck I’d had with Hallie Woods. How she’d swept into my life like a storm that I’d originally pegged only for destruction. But what I didn’t realize was that she was making me a new man. Stripping away all the hard-headedness I’d tried to disguise as commitment to my job.
“I think it’s only right that we end the night there. It is where it all started, after all.”
“I think Sebastian will probably be at our usual booth tonight. He sent me a congratulatory text message.Honestly, I was surprised that he remembered what today was.”
Brandon stopped by to drop off one of the pizzeria’s best bottles of wine and a bruschetta platter, one of Hallie’s favorites. “Nonno said to bring antipasto by the table before the pizza. So that should be out soon.”
“Thanks, Brandon.”
Hallie didn’t hesitate to dive into the bruschetta, sighing contentedly as she bit into the toasted bread. But she waited until my cousin had disappeared back into the kitchen before lowering her voice and continuing. “Well, Sebastian has made someverynoticeable changes as of late.”
I raised an eyebrow as I reached for the bottle of wine and filled her glass. “And I wonder why?”
We shared a knowing look, laced with something close to amusement.
“I think he’s trying to prove something,” she said. “Like maybe he’s finally realizing that he can’t keep skating through life charming everyone and everything around him.”
I leaned back in my chair, watching her. “Do you think Roxie gave him some kind of ultimatum.”
Hallie hesitated, then gave a small shrug. “Knowing her, probably. But not in a dramatic way. More like … a quiet line in the sand. She’s not one for games.”
“She doesn’t seem like she’s into him,” I replied.
“That’s the point,” Hallie murmured. “She’s trying not to be. Roxie doesn’t trust people who are too smooth, and let’s be honest—Sebastian is practically bottled and labeled ‘for short-term use only’.”
I laughed, but Hallie’s expression stayed thoughtful.
“She likes him,” she added. “I know she does. But she also knows better than to fall for a guy who says the right things but won’t show up when it counts.”
I considered that. Sebastian had always been good at the chase with his easy charm, desire for low stakes. But lately he’d been different. Asking about Roxie when she wasn’t around. Turning down dates with women he would’ve casually flirted with six months ago. Even his wardrobe had shifted—less flash, more intention.
“And what if he means it this time?” I asked. “What if she’s the one who makes him want to show up differently?”
Hallie gave a small smile, the kind that didn’t quite hide the worry beneath it. “Then he’s going to have to earn it. Roxie’s not a girl who falls for words. She waits for actions. And if he messes it up …”
