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ENNIO

M arnin had been acting secretive. He’d been on phone calls he didn’t want me to hear, a few trips out of town he refused to share details about, and he’d been doing a lot of stuff on his laptop that wasn’t work. What the hell was he up to?

Not that I was even considering him cheating on me. The man looked at me with so much love that it took my breath away. How had I ever thought him aloof and distant? It was like he’d lifted his mask and was showing me the real him, and it was magical. Maybe he’d never allowed himself to love, and now that he was or had accepted he was capable of it, he embraced it? Whatever it was, I was so, so grateful to be the object of his affection.

But I still wanted to know what he was up to—not that I would ask. The man was entitled to his privacy, for one, and second, my gut said he was planning something for me. A romantic getaway, maybe? Or was I now expecting too much from a man who’d never been in a relationship? I’d have to wait and see.

I loved everything about our life together, with one big exception. As amazing as Marnin’s condo was, I missed Forestville. Maybe it was also because I didn’t love my job, which made it hard to motivate myself every day. I’d applied for different ones and had a couple of interviews, but I’d only gotten one offer. It had been for an upcoming restaurant aiming for a Michelin star. That itself had felt out of my league, but when they’d told me I was expected to work seventy hours a week, I’d politely declined.

Yes, I knew that was what it often took to reach that level. But that wasn’t a price I was willing to pay. Not at my age, and not when I’d finally found the man I wanted to spend the rest of my life with.

So yeah, I missed Forestville. I wouldn’t trade it for Marnin, but we hadn’t been back in three weeks, and I desperately wanted to go home. I also had some tough decisions to make about what to do with my house there. I was still paying my mortgage, but only because Marnin refused to let me contribute to our household expenses.

It made little sense to keep my house when my life was here. It was just that the thought of selling it… Not to get all dramatic, but it broke my heart. I knew my house was small, but it was mine, and I’d been so damn proud to buy it and own it and make it all mine. But what choice did I have? Marnin’s job was here, and for now, so was mine.

“Hey, sunshine.” Marnin walked into the living room from his office. “What are you doing this weekend?”

I furrowed my brow, trying to remember if I had any plans. “This weekend? Nothing.”

“You’re not working?”

“No, I worked last weekend.”

A spark lit up his eyes as he leaned against the wall. “Would you want to go somewhere for the weekend?”

My heart jumped at the thought of spending a whole weekend with him. “Yes! Where?”

He shrugged. “We could go to Forestville if you’d like.”

Had he read my mind? I practically flew off the couch and into his arms. “I’d love that. Thank you.”

He kissed me, his lips moving slowly and deliberately as if savoring every moment. That was just like him—never doing anything halfheartedly, even kissing.

“Are you sure you’re okay to take time off?” I asked once he was done, a little out of breath.

Marnin brushed off my concern with a wave of his hand. “I’ll be fine. There’s nothing urgent that can’t wait till Monday. We’ll leave tomorrow morning, okay?”

I checked the time. “It’s only eight. We could still make it tonight.”

He chuckled. “If you could pack in less than two hours, yes, but we both know that’s not gonna happen.”

Unfortunately, he wasn’t wrong. I pouted. “If you’d come up with this idea a little earlier, I could’ve started packing…”

“Mmm, I’m so sorry, baby,” he cooed, running his fingers through my hair. “I’m sure I can find a way to make it up to you…”

Two hours and three incredible orgasms later, I could barely remember my own name, let alone anything about our weekend plans. But the next morning, we got up early and were on the road by ten. I wasn’t a huge fan of driving, so I loved that Marnin always wanted to drive. Besides, his BMW was a thousand times more comfortable than my beat-up Honda.

We chatted during the drive, which flew by. As we left the bustling city behind, nature enveloped us with its peaceful embrace. Snow-capped trees stood like dark shadows in the white landscape, and god, it was so beautiful here. It hadn’t been cold enough for the Skykomish to freeze, so she flowed freely, sneaking like a silver snake between the villages and fields, surrounded by the majestic mountains.

When we entered Forestville, a sense of calm washed over me and tension seeped from my shoulders. This was my true home, a place where I felt at peace. Maybe in a few years, when Marnin retired, we’d be able to move back here? Though god only knew when that would be.

Marnin took a left turn onto Baker Street, and I frowned. “Are we stopping by Brianna’s?”

“I want to show you something,” he replied, parking in front of Brianna’s.

Had the building next door been sold yet, the one where the catering service had been? I got out of the car and checked, then came to a full stop.

Tiago and Tomás stood in front of the building, which sported a massive Sold sign, sporting identical smiles. My stomach tickled. “What are they doing here?”

Marnin took my hand and gently led me forward until we stood before the Banner twins. “We have a business proposition for you,” he said.

“A business proposition?” I repeated weakly. What the hell was happening?

Tiago nodded. “We want to open a family restaurant here. Nothing fancy, but a place where families can eat home-cooked meals in a friendly, low-key atmosphere.”

“We hired a business consultant who did a feasibility study, and her numbers showed there’s an opportunity here,” Tomás said. “And since we’ve made this our home, we want to invest in the local economy and support businesses started and run by locals.”

A family restaurant? Like I’d had in mind? It couldn’t be a coincidence. Not when I had told Marnin about my dream and Cas knew as well. “That’s what I was hoping to do one day…” I said softly.

“You’re local, and you know this town inside and out. You know what would work here and what would be too fancy. And people know you, and they’ll be much more likely to give a new place a chance when it’s run by someone they trust. You have a great reputation from running the kitchen at The Lodge,” Tiago said.

“W-what are you guys saying? I don’t understand…”

Tiago flashed me a smile. “We’re saying we want to own the restaurant…but we want you to run the kitchen, to be our chef.”

My head spun. “Are you serious?”

Tomás pointed at the Sold sign. “So serious that we’ve already bought the place. It’s ours. And we’re interviewing for managers next week, but we wanted to make sure you were in first.”

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. “So I’d just be running the kitchen?”

“It’s the most important part, sunshine,” Marnin said softly. “And it’s where your strengths lie. You said it yourself, the business side of owning a restaurant doesn’t appeal to you. So Tomás and Tiago will hire someone with experience in running a restaurant who will take care of that part.”

“But what about you? About us? Your work is in Seattle, and I can’t commute that far, not after a whole day in the kitchen. And I don’t want to do this without you, not if it means not seeing you.”

Marnin immediately shook his head. “You won’t, baby. I’m moving here with you.”

I had to have misheard him. “What did you say?”

“We’re moving to Forestville, into your home…which will become our home, I hope.”

“But you hate Forestville.”

Another shake of his head, but much gentler this time. “No, I don’t. I hated what it represented to me, but as you pointed out, I allowed my bad memories to overrule the many good ones I have. All my friends are here, my chosen family…and above all, you. You belong here, sunshine, not in a big city. You’d never be truly happy.”

I couldn’t believe my ears. He was saying everything I hadn’t even dared to dream of, and I’d never even asked him. “What about your job?”

“I talked to Sebastian, and he’s agreed to let me work remotely three days a week, so I only have to commute two days. That’s doable.”

“I can’t believe you’d do that for me…”

Tomás snorted. “The man is in love, sweetheart. Look at him, the besotted fool.”

Marnin shot him an annoyed look. “As if you’re any better, dickhead. Every time you look at Fir, you have these little hearts in your eyes.”

Tomás shrugged. “So? I’m not ashamed to admit he’s my whole world.”

“That’s how I feel about Cas as well,” Tiago said, and I was treated to the amazing experience of seeing those three old friends grin at each other like…well, like lovesick fools. They were something special. The only one missing was…

“What are you all standing here for?” my brother’s voice boomed from behind me, and I nearly jumped a foot into the air.

Auden, dressed in his uniform, approached us with a wide grin splitting his face. He must’ve been in on the whole thing because he showed no signs of shock or disbelief.

He kissed me on my cheek, his familiar woodsy cologne enveloping me. “Good to see you.”

In a sudden wave of emotion, I wrapped my arms around him, holding on tightly. “You’re the best brother anyone could ever wish for.”

He held me close. “Right back atcha. I loved you from the day you were born, and that will never change.”

When I finally let go of him, tears brimmed in my eyes. “I can’t believe you guys.”

“I didn’t do anything,” Auden protested. “That was all your man there.”

My man. Marnin was my man. A rush of love swept through me, and I stepped up to him, overwhelmed with gratitude and adoration.

I wanted to thank him, but words seemed inadequate—and maybe thanking wasn’t the right thing anyway. If he would even allow me to. “I love you,” I said instead. “I love you so much.”

What a privilege it was to see that face soften, to see those sharp eyes become warm and brimming with love. “You’re my everything, sunshine.”

I took a deep breath and turned to Tomás and Tiago. “I can’t express how grateful I am that you’re giving me this opportunity. I’m… I’m so honored, and if you’re sure you want me, I will happily accept.”

Tomás grinned broadly. “Good, because we already had the sign made.”

He and Tiago stepped aside. Behind them was a sign resting against the front of the building, and they picked it up and turned it over so I could read it:

Sunshine Corner

Chef Ennio Frant

I lost it. Tears streamed down my face as I hugged Tomás first, followed by Tiago, and then my brother because why not? I planted a deep kiss on Marnin’s lips, then went back to hugging everyone, and it didn’t take long before all five of us had teary eyes.

It was the single best day of my life.