Page 70 of All Mine (The All Mine #1)

Etienne

Etienne could hear Isabella outside thanking Michelle and the cameraman and knew she’d be in at any moment.

‘Positions!’ he hissed. The team dashed to their tables and held their breath as the door opened.

She stopped in her tracks, putting her hands to her mouth. Etienne watched her face as she took it in.

The mismatched collection of tables and chairs from homes around the community.

The Tutto Mio mural taking pride of place.

Flowers or pot plants on every table with an assortment of candlesticks, all lit and flickering softly.

Mirrors on every wall, reflecting light into every corner.

Brightly coloured cushions on the benches, knitted and crocheted blankets hanging on the backs of a few chairs.

All the glasses were lined up on the shelves, awaiting all the future toasts and celebrations of engagements, birthdays or anniversaries.

Or a nice family meal out, just because.

And the team standing by their waiting stations, brimming with pride.

Isabella turned in a slow circle in the centre of the dining room, absorbing every detail, running her hand over a chair back. Finally, she lifted her hands as if weighing the air and then let them fall to her sides.

‘It’s perfect,’ she said on a sob. ‘Absolutely perfect. Thank you.’

Amber got there first, wrapping her up with a, ‘Yes, girl!’ which made Isabella laugh through her tears.

Angie from Australia was next, putting her arms around both of them, followed by Naomi and Paul and the rest of the team in the biggest, most affectionate team huddle Etienne had ever seen.

‘We’re ready!’ they all agreed. ‘We open tomorrow!’

Breaking the circle apart to excited chatter, Isabella extricated herself and finally, finally came towards Etienne. His breath caught as she put her arms around his neck and pressed herself to him.

‘Thank you,’ she said, in a low, urgent voice.

‘You don’t have to do everything on your own,’ he said, repeating her own words back to her. ‘You have me now.’

She grinned and glanced around at the fully kitted out restaurant.

‘And Honeybridge,’ she said. ‘And it feels so good.’