Page 83 of The Wedding Menu

He chuckles, a car horn blasting in the background.

“Are you sure you’re not busy? I can call back later—”

“Not busy, Amelie. Just having lunch with my dad.”

Well, that sounds like something I shouldn’t be interrupting.

“To what do I owe this pleasure? You don’t usually call this early.”

Letting go of the thought, I glance around me. “I thought you might like to share with me the moment that could potentially change my life forever.”

“I’d like that very much,” he says, his voice etched with intrigue.

Walking to the back door and peeping at the short buildings and houses surrounding the restaurant, I grin. “I’m scouting locations.”

“Oh,” he says. He sounds somewhat disappointed. “You found something better than the barn on the Kent Farm, then?”

“No. No better place exists,” I say with a sigh. “I’m not talking about wedding locations.”

After a couple of seconds, he says, “No way. You’re doing it?”

“I’m thinking about it.”

He hollers for a good five seconds as I chuckle. “Amelie, I’m so proud of you. This is fucking amazing. It’s—” He groans. “I need to hug someone. Well, I need to hug you, but you’re not here. Wait, there’s a lady—excuse me? Can I hug you? My friend gave me amazing news, but she’s on the phone and I can’t hug her. Really? You don’t mind?”

I hear what sounds like an old lady say she’s always up for a hug from such a handsome young man.

“Thank you. You’re the best. What’s your name? I’m Ian. Okay, bye, Griselle. Lovely to meet you.”

“Are you done harassing strangers?” I ask.

“Actually, no, I’m not. I need to hug someone else, but Grisellelovesstrong perfume.” He groans again. “Amelie, come here perfumeless. I’ll get you a train ticket.”

“Be serious!” I shout, stomping my feet.

“I am! This is amazing news—an early Christmas gift!”

My grin is so wide, my cheeks hurt. Stupid Ian. Stupid, amazing, special Ian. I’m only considering it, but he’s turning this into such a big deal, like it’s already decided.

“This is a mistake. I know it is,” I say, adrenaline coursing through my body in a wave that leaves me queasy. “Frank will lose his mind, and my dad—” My throat closes. “My dad will hate me.”

“You haven’t told Frank?”

“No,” I admit. “I need to do it in the right way or he won’t support the idea.”

He mutters something that sounds like “Surprise, surprise,” then clears his throat. “Well, I’m honored to share this momentwith you, Amelie, but I’m sure he knows you’re a kick-ass woman who will succeed. And if he doesn’t… well, that shouldn’t stop you. Support goes both ways, and you’ve been supporting him and his needs plenty.”

The sun shines through the large glass doors, lighting the room up all the way to the tall ceilings. The more details I notice, the deeper I fall in love with this place—with what it represents, and what it could be. “You’re the person who inspired this, you know.”

“Well, you inspire me every day.”

“Me?” I say, surprised. “What do I inspire you to do?”

“You’re kidding, right?” He laughs. “You’ve been working for your dad since you were—what, fourteen? And even though he hardly gave you any of the well-deserved recognition you need, you’ve stuck by his side through it all.”

“Which you said I shouldstopdoing,” I remind him. “Remember? That’s why I’m here.”

“And Frank,” he continues, blatantly ignoring me. “You know how many women would have dropped his ass if they were in your place?”