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Nat took a deep breath and let it out, settling his shoulders. “The biggest problem is going to come when we try to unravel all the debt, using the assets we have available. Selling a high-end restaurant for a fair price isn’t a straightforward proposition, despite what Blake Berlusconi seemed to think.”
Mia flinched at the mention of that name, but she recovered and lifted her chin. “Especially one that’s just lost its biggest selling point—our star.”
There’s no reason to rush a sale,” I told them. “You can afford to wait for the right offer. What about your house? I hope it goes without saying that we want you here with us permanently.”
They exchanged a look.
“The house is underwater, but not by much,” Nat said. “We discussed trying to rent it as a way to open up more cash flow, but I’m not sure the numbers make sense. Not when you take into account the time and labor to manage it as a rental.”
I nodded. “Agreed. Single family rentals make more sense when they don’t have a mortgage attached.”
“And a second mortgage,” Mia muttered. “And a home equity line of credit.”
“So, yes, we’re leaning toward selling it,” Nat finished.
Honestly, I was relieved. The last thing they needed right now was something else to manage.
“The rest of us will do whatever’s needed to get you back on firm financial footing,” I promised. “Pack is family. Whatever affects one of us affects all of us. Speaking of which, do you mind if I discuss this with the others? I won’t if it makes you uncomfortable.”
They shared another speaking look, and Nat gave a small nod.
“It’s fine,” Mia told me. “Like you said, it affects them as well.”
The following day, I misused work time to call a personal meeting in my office at the Hope Project. After filling Luca, Emiel, and Byron in on everything Nat and Mia had told me, I concluded, “I have an idea, but I want to hear your thoughts first.”
Luca crossed his arms. “Mostly, I’m in shock that Mia’s talking about selling the restaurant. But... you can afford to cover any debts left over afterward, right? If you have to.”
“I might have to liquidate some stock positions, but yes,” I replied.
He shrugged. “Then it’s not a problem, is it?”
“S’not that big a surprise she wants to cash out,” Emiel said. “They’re burning the candle at both ends. Have been for a while now. And this way, we can spend more time together.”
It hadn’t escaped me that Nat and Mia’s restaurant hours made it challenging to coordinate our schedules.
“That’s true,” I said.
“Assuming she doesn’t get bored after a few weeks and decide to open anewrestaurant,” Byron added dryly.
“We’ll tell her to make it a deli this time,” Emiel joked. “Lunch hours only.”
Luca snorted. “Do they award Michelin stars to deli counters?”
I still wasn’t used to Emiel cracking jokes... but I sure as hell hoped it would become our new normal, because it made something warm and proud swell in my chest every single time.
“I’m sure if she put her mind to it, she could convince them to start,” I said.
Byron still looked skeptical.
“You said you had an idea,” he reminded me. “An idea about what?”
It was something that had come to me that morning in the shower—more the shape of a possibility than anything approaching a solid plan.
“I think you’re right that Mia won’t be happy without some kind of a project to pour her heart into,” I said, trying and failing to picture our whirlwind of an omega sitting around in the house for more than a few days without getting bored out of her mind.
Luca’s eyes narrowed. “What are you plotting, Zalen?”
I huffed out a breath. “I object to the word ‘plotting.’ I was just remembering that idea we had to table a few months ago, due to lack of time. You know the one?”