Page 186

“You can thank us with a table for eight tonight,” I said, knowing that was a pretty tall order since we’d all piled into the SUVs as soon as I saw the updated Michelin website, and we didn’t have a reservation.
Ayden didn’t blink an eye. “Two high chairs?” he asked, and I nodded sheepishly.
“Dinner’s on the house,” Shani said. “Obviously. Find me again after close, Mia.”
“I will,” I promised.
Her eyes twinkling, she leaned forward and planted a wet smooch on Trixie’s cheek, inspiring a loud giggle. She patted me on the arm. “I’d better jump back in the fray and make sure tonight runs smoothly. It wouldn’t do to mess up on our first night in the hoity-toity guidebook.”
“And I’d better go rethink the inventory for the next month,” Maleeka said. “I have a sneaking suspicion that business is going to be booming.”
Ayden grinned at me. “Come right this way, chef. I’ll just get you and your party seated.”
The late dinner only went to prove that Shani had earned that Michelin star, and then some. Several of my original dishes were still on the menu, along with a bunch of others that were pure Shaniqua.
Luca’s twins, Jules and Trixie, had managed to get more cinnamon-bergamot chocolate lava cake on their faces than in their mouths. Luca and Nat were fussing over them with wet wipes, while Zalen, Emiel, and Byron offered commentary with varying levels of helpfulness or snarkiness.
I ran a hand over my swollen belly, feeling the jab of an elbow, or possibly a foot. It was too bad my other internal organs—like, for instance, my stomach—didn’t have a bit more room left over. I was constantly hungry these days, but as much as I would have liked to gorge myself on the Elderflower Inn’s bounty, I knew from bitter experience that I’d regret overeating.
Around us, the place cleared out as closing time approached.
“No, no. Stay put, y’all,” Ayden said, when Zalen started to make noises about us getting out from underfoot. “Make yourselves comfortable. Mia, you can go on back to the kitchen anytime.”
After a period of fussiness when the cake was finished, both toddlers were now fast asleep—cradled safely in Zalen and Emiel’s arms. I heaved myself out of the chair, silently cursing gravity, my center of balance, and the universal concept of low back pain.
“Thanks, Ayden,” I said. “It was absolutely delicious, as always. Tell Maleeka we’ll see her at the monthly organizational meeting in a few days, okay?”
“I sure will,” he said. “Let me get you some to-go boxes for the rest of that oxtail stew and the roasted vegetables.”
I made my way to the kitchen, past the tail end of the night’s cleanup. Shani was waiting for me.
“Compliments to the chef,” I joked, and she chuckled.
“Like I always say, I learned from the best,” she said. “Thanks for coming tonight. You’ve made my entire year, and it’s only January.”
I sobered, meeting her warm gaze and holding it. “Enjoy this. You’ve worked hard for it. Piece of advice, though—don’t let a Michelin star become your entire life. Voice of experience speaking, here.”
Her expression softened. “I hear you, Mia. Honestly, though—I don’t think I could if I tried. My pack wouldn’t let me.” She tilted her head, regarding me closely. “Question for you, though. Are you okay? Are you...happy? It can’t be easy, knowing that you did most of the work on this place, and now someone else is getting the credit.
I couldn’t help the laugh that escaped me. “Oh,god, no. I lived that life for years, Shani. And don’t get me wrong—parts of it were great. But I’ve found more satisfaction teaching kids forthe last two-and-a-bit years than I ever did getting featured in lifestyle magazines.” I hesitated. “But, y’know—totally say yes to the lifestyle magazines when they come knocking. They’re great for business.”
Shani smirked. “Noted.”
“Anyway,” I went on, “my point is that I’ve got better work-life balance right now than I’ve had since I graduated high school. I wouldn’t change a thing.”
Her smirk widened. “Yeah... you come back here and tell me that after the triplets are born, kiddo.”
I rubbed a hand over my bulge, eliciting another kick. “Nah, I’m not worried. Luca’s found his true life calling in being a parent. I’ll make him do most of the hard work.”
Shani laughed and hugged me, coming in from the side to get a better angle around the obstruction of my belly.
“I’m so proud of you,” I told her, hugging back fiercely.
She kissed me on the forehead and eased away. "I'm proud of you, too, honey. More than you can know. Now, get back out there to those men of yours, and send me some new prodigies from your next class of graduates."
Stepping away, I offered a crisp salute. “Yes, ma’am. More prodigies, coming up.”
We grinned at each other. I clasped her elbow in farewell and turned back toward the dining room, where my family was waiting to take me home.
Back to our perfect, amazing life.
finis