I smack his chest as I laugh. “I’m probably gonna walk funny all day thanks to last night.” I work my way up and snuggle into the crook of his neck. Should have known after I lifted my flimsy sex ban. “But it was totally worth it.” I sigh.
His hand rubs up and down my bare back as he speaks. “Then tell me what’s on your mind.” He kisses my temple.
“I’m just making a mental checklist.”
“Of what?”
“Of all the things I have to do to help you set up your brewery.”
He hums, saying my name softly. “Nikki. You don’t have to do a single thing. This is my dream. I need to work on it.”
I lean back so I can look him in his eyes. “Exactly. Which now makes it mine to support. You made my dream come true the night you kissed me on the beach and told me I belonged to you. It’s only fair I help you achieve your dream now.”
Tony closes his eyes while he leans his head back on the propped pillows behind him. “Fuck, Nikki. You can’t just say shit like that.”
“Why not?”
“Because you’re sore right now…” He looks down at me, his eyes molten with hunger. “But I guess that just means I’ll be having my breakfast now.”
42
Nikki
Monday morning came much too quicklyfor my liking.
Leaving the warmth of the apartment to go to work on such a cold and dreary day should be criminal. Yet my morning commute isn’t too bad, especially since Tony always tags along to walk or train it to work with me. We pick up breakfast and coffees along the way, so every morning feels like a date.
Today, he is off to Evan’s office, since they will be going over brewery business. I’m so excited to see him going after his dreams. Especially because he is in his midthirties, pursuing a second career in life. It’s such a testament to his resilience, and I couldn’t be prouder to be by his side as he strives to bring his vision to life.
We brainstormed all weekend, thinking about concepts and ideas for a bar menu, the décor, and the different types of beers he could offer.
I even braved the kitchen, and in my first attempt, made some decentarroz con guandules. The way Maria taught me how to make it on our last day visiting her sandbar restaurant. I still think there is some room for improvement, but by the way Tony was scraping the bottom of the pot for thecon con, I think I did all right.
Incorporating Dominican snacks will be essential for Tony, and I immediately started researching other breweries in the area to see how they managed the food aspect of the business.
I never knew this type of love existed. The kind that makes you care so deeply for another human that you will pour all of yourself into making their goals come to life. This is the part of life I always felt was missing. Belonging to a team, a family. And belonging to Tony doesn’t mean I’m his possession, but rather the person he does life with.
This weekend showed us how well we work side by side. Pushing each other lovingly toward our common goal.
Along with the way things are progressing with my relationship with my dad, I’m starting to feel at peace with everyone around me.
Everyone, that is, except the person who is trying to video chat me on my lunch break as I sit in my office.
My mother.
I have yet to answer any of her calls, but something about the way life is moving in my favor has me swiping across the screen and accepting the call.
“Nikki! I didn’t expect you to accept, but I’m so glad you did! How are you, darling?” She smiles nervously.
I sigh. “Hi, Mom, I’m fine. What’s up?”
Now, I know I’m more mature than asking my mother “what’s up?” after ignoring her for nearly a month, but there must be something said about mothers and daughters and their innate ability to revert to the dynamics of the teenage years when there is trouble.
“Nikki, I haven’t heard from you in weeks. I was concerned and I just… I wanted to apologize.”
My eyebrows almost hit my hairline upon hearing her words. I don’t think I’ve ever heard anything more than a flippant “sorry, dear” from my mother.
“Look, I would love to have this conversation in person, but since you weren’t answering my calls, and we live in different states, I didn’t want to chance boarding a flight for you to just turn me away,” she says bashfully.
