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I could have never imagined Angel, Inc. the day that I first told my professor and Hayden about my findings. But here we are, and there’s no going back.
“Celebrities have it much worse,” I suggest.
Gian looks at me like I’m crazy.
“Two Angel lagers,” I order, the bartender smiling at us.
“What if I want something else?”
It’s a familiar joke—Gian always ribs me about drinking my own beer, but I just grin. “Are you driving home?”
Gian drove us here, so I know he has his car.
“Smug bastard.”
I take the beers and hand one to my brother. “Just drink it, asshole.”
Music floats out from inside. Tris hired musicians for the evening; it’s a nice touch.
“I’m proud of all of you,” I say, hit by an unexpected wave of nostalgia. Gian’s marketing knowledge came in handy for the opening, and I’m glad he’s still in Bridgewater so Dad and Tris have someone they can count on. I can imagine standing in the pizza shop, surrounded by my siblings, as this exact song blasted from the speaker near the ovens. We all worked before it was legal, but I never minded. Except on Fridays during Lent, when the line went out the door and going out with friends wasn’t even remotely possible.
“Which is it? Are you proud of me, or am I an asshole?”
Gian and I walk toward the end of the deck. Normally there would be tables out here, but Tris put them in storage for the opening to give people room to mingle. They’re sending around finger food, the soft opening more of a reception than a sit-down dinner.
“Both,” I answer, wondering if she has arrived yet. Trying not to think about it. “He was smart to cover this,” I say, tapping the temporary plexiglass coverings that serve as temporary walls lining the deck. Although not completely impervious to the elements, the deck boasts several space heaters, making it almost as warm as the restaurant inside.
“I still can’t believe this is happening.”
Neither can I. After three years of offering Tris money and being refused, I finally bought this place without his permission. He was pissed, of course. He’d been looking closer to town. This is a much more desirable location, though, and it’ll definitely be more profitable. Something he knows, of course, but like the rest of my stubborn Italian family, Tris wanted to make it on his own. It was only after I explained that giving him this property was as much for me as it was for him that my brother finally agreed to take it.
If I can’t always be there in person, at least I can do something important with the oodles of money I’ve earned and don’t have time to enjoy.
“He’s going to kill it,” I say.
“There you are.”
We turn, my gaze shooting to Devon before taking in the rest of the guests spilling onto the deck behind us.
“Hey, Dev,” I say, sticking out my hand. “How’s it going?”
Devon shakes Gian’s hand too. If nothing else, I know how to pick my friends. Devon Atwood is a hell of a guy.
Did your sister come with you?
I want to ask, but he’ll see right through me. And I’m trying not to flirt with Chari, right? If that’s my objective, I’m not off to a great start after this morning.
How can I help it?
She’s all at once as adorable as a ten-week-old kitten and so fucking sexy. So unassuming. So different from the women I meet these days.
“Earth to Enzo.” Gian is watching me.
“Sounds like a TV show,” Devon says.
And maybe it’s crazy, but I have to know if she’s here.
“Hold the fort out here, you guys. I’m going to check on Mom and Lus. I’ll be right back.”
