Page 7 of Finding Yesterday
“You are because you don’t have a choice. We are under no obligation to lease you this space.”
Oh no. No, no, no.
She’s right. Hudson and I never signed a formal leasing agreement with his parents because, well, it was hisparents. Who would’ve thought we needed one with family?
And without a location, there’s no restaurant. Knowing she has a point, I move on. “I can’t believe you’re doing this to me.” I put a shaky hand over my mouth. The ground is shifting beneath my feet.
“You walked out on my son on his wedding day.” Her voice is shrill. “You embarrassed him. You embarrassed our whole family. What in heaven’s name did you expect to happen?”
My cheeks go hot. “It’s my fault for not realizing earlier, but Hudson and I don’t love each other the way a husband and wife should. Our priorities aren’t on each other.”
“His priority is this restaurant. Something that should be a priority for you too.”
“Oh, please.” I squeeze my eyes shut. It’s no use arguing with June about her perfect son. Composing myself, I say, “I’ve worked day and night to help make the place what it is.” I hold up my hand. “This scar is from when I burned myself trying to perfect Tangz’s pan-fried falafel.” I point to my finger. “And this cut was from carving a carrot into a flower.”
She stands silent, her face expressionless.
I exhale, evening out my voice when I say, “When Hudson and I talked yesterday, we decided we’d run the restaurant webothstarted. Keep business and our personal lives separate.”
“Hudson changed his mind. Like you did, three minutes after you were supposed to march down the aisle.” She glares at me, and one of her eyes starts to twitch.
“But we’re professionals,” I reply, just above a whisper. My argument is weak. Besides, nothing I say now is going to fix this. How could I have been so naive to think he and I could continue having a restaurant together?
Maybe it’s because I can’t imagine my life without running Tangz. It’s the only real job I’ve ever had, and it’s crumbling to bits. With all my tethers vanishing into thin air, I’m lost, floating.
June sighs so loudly it echoes off the open door. “You’ve got to get your head out of the clouds.”
“Wow.” I close my eyes, fighting off the tears. I reach out and I take the envelope from June. My full name, “Claire Millie Cole,” is neatly written on the label.
“Inside is the paperwork, all ready for you to sign.”
The letters go hazy as I stare at the envelope. My brain can’t process that this is happening.
But it is.
“So, that’s it?” I ask. “Hudson’s just going to run Tangz by himself?”
“I don’t know what Hudson’s going to do. I’m not sure he knows yet.” Her voice softens. “But yes, he’ll need to find another business partner, something he’sverygood at doing.”
Yes, he is good at that. Guilt washes over me at the reminder of how badly I hurt Hudson. Of course his family is furious at me, how could they not be? “For what it’s worth, I’m sorry. I didn’t want any of this to happen,” I say, meaning it.
“Good luck with your life, Claire.”
She takes a step back and closes the door in my face. I stand there, frozen, staring at the swirls of ravioli steam that Emma carefully drew and painted on the door. She’s a fantastic artist, and Hudson doesn’t deserve her craftsmanship. But I guess he should have it. It’s the least I can do after everything.
Emma’s work becomes blurry as tears well in my eyes. She painted those for me, formyrestaurant. I even came up with the restaurant’s name. Everyone liked Tangz because it described our unique flavors.
How can it all be gone, just like that?
I turn to leave, and Harlow, one of my bridesmaids and a cook at Tangz, is standing behind me. “I’m so sorry,” she says, just above a whisper. Her normal smiling face has been replaced by concerned eyes and furrowed brows.
I nod and reply, “Thank you,” but it comes out as a croak.
She steps in and gives me a hug. “If there’s anything you need, I’m here, okay?”
“Thanks.” I want to tell her to quit and come work with me, but I don’t work anywhere. I pull away, managing a weak smile. “You better get inside. June isn’t in the best mood this morning.”
“Is she ever?” Harlow pulls her long microbraids into a ponytail before tying her apron.
