Page 50 of Babydaddy To Go

“Not as much as we’d make opening a restaurant in the building,” David explains. “It’s prime restaurant real estate and not a lot of people are buying right now. Other than you.”

“I’m really stuck with it, aren’t I?” I concede. “That awful building is officially mine.”

David laughs. “This building is far from awful, but yeah man, it’s yours. Are you going to tell me why you’re acting like this is the worst news you’ve ever heard? You were overjoyed about it days ago. If I remember correctly, you even told me to jump on it before someone else did. You practically begged me to buy this building for you.”

“Okay, I get it. I’m being an ass. You did good, David.”

“Thanks, Nate. Now spill. I’m not hanging up until you do.”

“You know I could just hang up on you?” I respond.

David scoffs. “You won’t.”

He’s right, I won’t. As ridiculous as it is, I could use a friend right now. I haven’t talked to anyone about anything other than food since Saturday morning.

“Alyssa and I broke up,” I begin. “I found some texts on her phone about a guy she’s been hooking up with.”

“Damn. I’m sorry, man. I didn’t think Alyssa was that kind of girl.”

We may be broken up, but I still take exception to David noticing Alyssa. He’s not supposed to think anything about her.

Instead of yelling at him, I sigh. “I didn’t think so either, Dave, but she was. She tried to deny it but the evidence was right there.”

“What did you do?”

“I kicked her out of my house,” I admit. “She was wearing nothing but a towel. I felt kind of bad, watching her walk down the driveway clutching her clothes to her chest, but she deserved it. I was nothing but faithful to her and she goes and fucks some guy behind my back?”

“That’s savage, man,” David says. “Did she show up in class today?”

I scoff. “Of course not. She couldn’t face me after what she did. I’m guessing she’s trying to get late admission into one of the other culinary schools here in New York as we speak.”

“What if they call you for a recommendation?”

I hadn’t thought of that. Alyssa may be questionable in the morals department, but she’s a damn good chef. “I guess I’d be honest. The girl can cook. She just can’t maintain a relationship, apparently.”

“That’s really shitty, man. Did you tell her about the restaurant?”

“Of course not! You were right to try to talk me out of it. I should’ve listened to you. Now I’m going to have to theme the place myself. I didn’t actually want to open another restaurant so soon, you know.”

“I know, this was for Alyssa,” David acknowledges. “This will be good for you, though. I was serious when I said we’ll make a ton of money at a restaurant in this location. And it’ll be good exposure for you. Your new place is doing ten times better than we expected in just the first month. We can ride that success by opening another restaurant in a year.”

I try to imagine opening my third restaurant in New York City.

“Isn’t this crazy? No one has this many restaurants this soon.”

David likely shrugs.

“As long as they’re all different. There are plenty of chefs with multiple restaurants in the same city. New York isn’t small by any means.”

He’s right. The new restaurant isn’t anywhere near my other two locations.

“I guess we’ll have to figure out a theme, then,” I concede. “I’ll set up a meeting with my team this weekend to get the ball rolling.”

“Great!” David says excitedly. “I’ll start planning out a budget this afternoon.”

“Thanks, David.”

“It’s my job,” he admits. “What isn’t my job is taking you out for drinks tonight. You in?”