“There’s a building for sale in town that I’ve been looking at,” I told him, thinking of the old, romantic structure with mosaic windows and a view of the desert. It was right at the end of Main Street, before the wilderness began to take back over.
“It’s been for sale for a while,” I added.
“Know the one,” Swiss squinted, looking like he was calling it up in his mind. “Overpriced, that’s why it’s not sellin’.”
I nodded in agreement. “It is. Which is why they’ll likely take an all-cash offer well under asking rather than stay on the market for longer.”
Swiss quirked a brow. “You really have been givin’ this some thought.”
“I’ve never had the opportunity to think about life outside of being a wife and mother,” my face warmed. “And although I love the thought of being your wife, I cannot wait to be something in addition to that for the first time in my life.”
Swiss’s face had softened. “You can be anything you wanna be,” he murmured. “And I’ll support it. Do everything in my power to make it happen.”
I smiled. “I know you will,” I whispered. “And what I will probably need is for you to do some heavy lifting, to make sure contractors don’t rip me off, and to taste test my menu.”
His eyes danced. “Menu?”
“Yeah,” I replied. “I’ve always wanted to have my own restaurant. Somewhere that feels comfortable and upmarket but not in a snobby way. Where I can cook whatever I want, whatever’s in season.” I sighed. “I know I don’t know anything about running a business, and—”
“I think it’s a great fuckin’ idea,” Swiss interrupted before I could talk down on myself further. “You’re an excellent fuckin’ cook. Seems to be a crime not to share that. Though I’m not adverse to committing a crime or two.” He winked. “We’ll put in an offer tomorrow.”
I stared at him. “What?”
“This is your dream, right?”
I nodded.
“Well, then it’s my job to do everything in my power to make it happen,” he said simply.
And he was dead serious.
The very next morning, bright and early, Swiss walked into the real estate office with our offer.
Well under asking.
All cash.
The contract was drawn up by the end of the day.
The restaurant was in my name.
Mine.
It had all transpired within twenty-four hours of me mentioning what I wanted. Obviously, there had to be a party to celebrate. Violet jumped around in glee then rushed off to open her computer, designing the space for me. She spent the rest of the night staring at it, deep in thought.
Eventually, she’d closed it and murmured something about doing more work ‘back at the club,’ kissed my cheek absently, hugged Swiss and left.
Both of us had been shocked.
Her and Swiss were friends by this point. It was clear that Violet liked him, but she had yet to develop an easy affection with him like she had with me. Which made sense… That kind of thing didn’t happen overnight.
But a half zombie, her mind elsewhere, she’d hugged him with real affection.
It had warmed my heart and made me think of something that hadn’t been far from my mind.
I was not pregnant.
My period had come right on time, and I’d found myself feeling disappointed. It made absolutely no sense since this was a huge time in my life full of change and transition, and throwing a newborn baby into the mix would not have been wise.