Page 30 of Third Time Lucky

ASHER

Aaron and I make our way through the bustling restaurant, filled with contractors attempting to meet their deadlines.

After what feels like ages of waiting, the kitchen is finally installed.

It’s not yet functional, but it’s getting easier to picture.

The sleek metal countertops gleam under the warm lighting, and every inch of space is optimized for efficiency.

We pass by the double butcher-block islands on opposite ends of the kitchen, and Aaron stops.

‘These individual islands are a stroke of genius,’ he remarks.

I nod, letting out a sigh of relief as I take in the sight. ‘Now I can pretend you’re not constantly turning everything into a race.’

Aaron chuckles, his eyes alight with amusement. ‘Oh, I’ll still be racing you – and winning,’ he responds playfully, ‘you just won’t see me doing it.’

I roll my eyes, knowing his competitive nature all too well. But as I look around the nearly finished kitchen, a sense of pride washes over me. My vision for this space is coming to life, and it’s even better than I imagined.

‘It’s going to be a dream cooking in here,’ I say.

As we reach the industrial-sized walk-in refrigerator, Aaron swings open the door and takes a quick peek inside.

‘We could fit a dead body in here, easy,’ he observes with a smile.

‘Or just one live naked one, handcuffed to the shelving,’ I remark.

He purses his lips glancing around. ‘On second thought, maybe we should keep a stool and a blanket in here – just in case.’

I roll my eyes, closing the door once he’s exited. ‘We definitely need a section for our collection of knives,’ I add, picturing the gleaming blades neatly arranged in a custom-made slot above the workstations.

Aaron’s eyes light up at the mention of the knives. ‘Ah, our babies,’ he says, his voice tinged with reverence. ‘We can’t forget about them.’

This is about as dorky as we get, daydreaming about kitchen knives. We stand there momentarily, imagining the finished walk-in with all its compartments and details.

He leans into me. ‘Which of us do you think will have sex in here first?’

I scrunch my face. ‘You, for sure – no doubt behind my back. That said, no girls in the kitchen – let’s make it our first official rule. You keep your shenanigans to the bathrooms or alley out back. Because I don’t need the health department up my ass after you run your mouth about your conquest.’

Aaron chuckles at my response, a mischievous glint in his eyes. ‘You know me too well,’ he teases, giving me a playful nudge. ‘But I promise to behave… mostly.’

I shake my head with a smile, knowing that his idea of behaving usually involves chaos. But as I look around the kitchen once more, I am completely grateful to have him by my side in this venture.

‘Let’s make a pact,’ I say, facing him. ‘No matter what happens, we don’t do anything that risks us having a falling out and losing the place. While we’re here, it’s about the food, the creativity and the joy cooking brings us and others.’

Aaron’s face relaxes, his usual joking attitude replaced with a more solemn one. ‘I’m in,’ he states, reaching out to shake my hand. ‘We are brothers first, friends second and business partners third. Also, bros before hoes.’

‘Like you’ve ever followed that rule.’ I roll my eyes with a chuckle, shaking his hand firmly.

My phone buzzes in my pocket. ‘That’s me,’ I say, pulling it out and silencing the alarm. ‘I’ve got to meet Lucy about the menus.’

* * *

The walk is short, five minutes at best, and the sun is shining, so what better way to diminish these nerves? Every time I know I will see her, my insides fizz like pop rock candy, and I’m starting to enjoy it.

Queue is a coffee shop on the ground floor of the Q21 Apartment building, across from the New Seasons grocery store off of 21st (not far from my beloved 23rd Ave).

Its tall ceilings and industrial vibe are complemented by a pop of color at the front counter – a bright purple that immediately catches your eye.

The spiral chandelier adds a touch of movement, and the wooden menu boards set the down-to-earth vibe.

Scattered around the space are funky couches, chairs, and bar tables.

Along one side, near the entrance, you’ll find a double-sided wood-topped bar with seating on both sides that offers a glimpse into the Q21 lobby, an upscale, ritzy apartment building where my ex-girlfriend, Melissa, used to live.

‘Hi,’ Lucy greets me with a smile as I enter the coffee shop. She’s already sitting at a wood-topped table, her iPad lying on the table in front of her.

‘How’s the restaurant?’ she asks.

‘It’s coming along.’

‘You’re so humble. Even unfinished it’s amazing. Aren’t you excited?’

‘Yeah,’ I say with more enthusiasm. ‘It’s literally my dream come true.’

‘Everyone will be talking about you.’

I cautiously flash her crossed fingers, not wanting to get ahead of myself, but trust me, girl, I’ve got the same feeling.

She chuckles. ‘I ordered you a house blend with cream and sugar.’

‘That’s exactly what I needed.’ I grab a sugar packet and shake it to loosen the contents before tearing it open and pouring it into the coffee mug.

As I mix my drink, she picks up a stylus that resembles a pencil to navigate through the screens.

‘I have a few more questions,’ she says, tapping away on the device.

‘Hit me.’

‘List out prices or simply state a number?’

‘Just a number.’

‘Feminine or masculine?’

‘Somewhere in the middle.’

‘Separate drink/cocktail menus or all in one?’

I rock my head back and forth. ‘Let’s separate because we’ll be offering full bottles as well as by the glass.’

‘OK… Here’s what I’m thinking…’

When she swivels her iPad my way, I am stunned.

‘I’m leaning toward shades of blue. The sections – such as Dinner, Cocktails, House Specials and Desserts – will have a more masculine font to represent you and Aaron.

There won’t be any harsh lines; everything will flow seamlessly, with simple sketches to draw attention to specific dishes, particularly on the cocktail menu, which will be in a lighter shade of blue to stand out. ’

I stare at the iPad, comparing her two menus side by side. Everything she has put together perfectly matches my vision – like she got into my head.

‘What do you think?’ she asks with a hopeful smile.

‘I think you nai?—’

‘Oh no, Brandon!’ Lucy hisses, panic lacing her voice as she clutches the iPad like a shield in front of her face.

Brandon? It can’t be.

I whirl around, and a cold dread grips my heart. There he is, a malevolent aura radiating from him like the toxic cloud he is as he strides purposefully toward us from the entrance. He halts at our table, his gaze piercing through me.

‘Just a friend, huh?’ he snaps at Lucy.

Well, hello there, double standards.

She lowers the iPad slowly, her jaw set with defiance against his accusation, yet she remains composed.

‘Oh,’ she retorts, feigning surprise. ‘I thought I heard the growl of a demon, but it’s just you.’

‘Funny,’ he sneers, his eyes flicking toward me with a predatory gleam. ‘Friend of yours?’ he asks, nodding his head in my direction.

‘Since you feel entitled to know to the point of asking repeatedly, yes. Asher is both my friend and a hero that saved me from the worst-behaved boy I’ve ever met,’ she replies coolly, glancing at me meaningfully.

I meet her eyes with a firm, reassuring smile, silently willing her to remain unshaken by Brandon’s venomous presence.

‘Boy?’ he snaps back.

‘Cheating bitch is more fitting, but yes, boy works,’ I respond for her, without hesitation. Their eyes snap toward me. ‘Men don’t do what you did. Boys do.’

Brandon glares. ‘Yeah? Well, she didn’t have to humiliate me in front of everyone I know. My whole family’s seen that video!’

‘Holy—!’ Lucy stands suddenly, pressing her finger against his chest, causing him to take a step back. ‘You think I humiliated you ? Are fucking you kidding me?’

The woman rarely swears, but when she does, it’s top tier.

‘That wasn’t even me in the video.’

‘Might I remind you that you’ve already admitted it was?’ she snaps.

‘I lied because I suddenly realized I’d end up in an abusive relationship if I didn’t get out when I had the chance,’ he insists, his eyes meeting hers with a blatant lie, defiance etched into every feature. He’s trying to see if he can manipulate her. That piece of shit.

Lucy gasps. ‘I’d like to hit you right now?—’

I gently touch her hand.

‘Trust me, doucheknocker, I was unfortunate enough to catch the live show; it was you. No lie necessary.’

Lucy’s lips curl into a slight, confident smile, her resolve and disdain for this cockroach intensifying by the second.

‘You’ve chosen a pervert, Luce. He stood there and watched. That’s sick. I thought you had better taste.’

Her eyes flash with fury at Brandon’s words, but she remains calm and collected, determined not to show how deeply he’s hurt her.

‘You do realize I despise you, right? I purposely chose to be here with Asher – someone who actually behaves like a real man,’ she declares, then suddenly spins to face me with a saccharine smile.

‘By the way, that’s a refreshing change. Thank you.’

I nod and return a tight, measured smile, ignoring the prying eyes of Brandon.

Her head snaps back to him. ‘Why are you even here? The unspoken rule for couples left at the altar is silence and distance. If you run into one another, you walk away without words. Yet, here you stand. So, are you lost? Or just profoundly stupid?’

Ouch. Damn. This woman is absolutely incredible.

Brandon’s expression shifts dramatically, from swaggering confidence to stunned, with a hint of hurt. Bullseye.

I doubt she spent much time in their relationship speaking to him this bluntly. Which only makes him a bigger asshole in my book. She was good to him – I’d stake everything on it – yet he likely betrayed her repeatedly.

‘Relax, I was just having some fun with ya,’ he insists, forcing out a laugh that rings false, a pitiful mask of deceit. ‘I saw you from across the street and thought I’d drop by and say hello,’ he purrs, his voice dripping with insincere sweetness as if they’re old friends.

‘Next time, don’t,’ Lucy shoots back.

‘You don’t even want to know that I’m engaged?’

With that unwanted proclamation, he thrusts his phone toward me, then her, flaunting a picture of a woman with a ring that glistens with malicious intent. Lucy’s gasp of horror is a dagger to the heart. She’s stunned silent, like a statue.

Uh-oh.

‘Now you can move on and know you didn’t destroy me. Closure, I thought we could use some. So, there ya go. I’m off the market.’

The woman at the table next to me gasps in disbelief at his brazen words. I agree. Shit. This dude is a bigger fucking moron than I thought.

I glance at Lucy, her hands clenched into fists as she averts her gaze my way, unable to even look at him. I’ve got a feeling she’s at a crossroads, deciding this man’s fate. Will she choose life or death?

I impulsively stand, just in case she hits him like she did at the alter.

Which, I’m totally on board with if that’s her move, but I don’t think the coffee shop will approve.

I’d hate to have this girl banned from her favorite coffee house and hauled off to jail for assaulting a prick who deserves to be buried alive.

But she raises a calm hand, calling me off silently. As I sit back down, she turns to Brandon, her hands now clasped in front of her.

‘Well, congratulations,’ she says with a tight smile that doesn’t quite reach her eyes.

‘How classy of you to recycle the same ring, she must feel like a true second-hand princess. I do hope your new victim has taken the necessary precautions to keep you in line – microchip, tracking device, or at the very least, a leash. Considering you tend to stray.’

Brandon releases an exaggerated sigh, rolling his eyes with dismissive arrogance. He glances at me, scoffing, ‘She thinks she’s funny.’

‘She’s brilliant,’ I reply.

‘Can I see you—’ Suddenly, Lucy’s hand clamps onto his bicep with a grip that likely bites into his skin. ‘Over here,’ she commands, dragging him a few feet away, just inside the edge of my hearing.

I take a sip of my coffee, scanning the shop, when I suddenly feel the weight of eyes staring back at me.

‘It’s all good,’ I say, nonchalantly to their audience. ‘He needs closure or something. I don’t think she’ll murder him right here.’ I shrug, lifting my palms as if hopeful.

Lucy inhales sharply, her breaths deliberate, as the electric tension gradually unwinds. ‘I want you to listen without words. Got it?’

He nods once.

‘I don’t forgive you,’ she declares, her voice edged with a steely resolve, as if she’s rehearsed this moment a thousand times.

‘Unfortunately, I did truly love you, and now I’m convinced more than ever that you never felt the same.

Honestly, it’s a little freeing because I’ve been ready to let my heart out of mourning, and I think your idiotic words have finally sparked that liberation. So, thank you.’

That was so grown-up. I’m proud of her. Not sure what my reaction would have been if this was me, but according to Aaron it’d likely be silence.

She takes a breath, dropping her shoulders and relaxing her clasped hands. A slight sweet smile crosses her face, and she continues.

‘I wish you nothing but the absolute worst. May your mattress become a torture device for your spine. May your water heater become your daily nemesis, scalding your pathetic manhood with every shower you take. May you accidentally wash your hair with Nair. And if this girl is truly the one for you, I hope you treat her the way she deserves, have the perfect life, and then she cheats.’

Ah… there she is. Closure. I’d bet this is what Aaron means that I’ve never told off a woman who hurt me. And she did it in one breath, expertly.

He just stares at her. Wordlessly. Painfully.

‘Consider this goodbye, Brandon. I can’t wait to never see you again.’ With that, she turns on one toe and heads back toward me.

As she settles back at our table, the café around us buzzes with the usual chatter. She takes a sip of her coffee, calmly as if nothing just happened.

And Brandon just walks away.

We sit in silence, the buzzing of the café around us providing a comforting backdrop. I raise my coffee cup in a silent toast to her. She – an absolute badass in my eyes – returns the gesture, a newfound sense of freedom shining in her eyes. I am falling for this girl so freaking hard.