Welcome, welcome!”

Carlo hands me a microphone with a smile as I hop behind the bar.

A crowd of faces turns to watch me. Carlo turns the music down.

“Welcome,” I say again into the microphone. “Thank you all for coming out. Welcome to the grand reopening of The Gutter. As you all probably know, we are under new management. Sort of. I am still the owner and I will still be here, but I have two new equal partners who are here to bring a fresh perspective.”

I glance around the bar, searching for Mark and Elliot, and I find them tucked into the corner, looking devastating in their suits and ties. Mark’s also wearing a cowboy hat, and I shake my head and smile.

“A fresh perspective and a new sense of style,” I say, gesturing to them. “We have a new menu, new deals, new games, new everything. But it’s still the same place you grew up with. Still the same place you know. Still the place you can come for some good, clean fun.”

Mark winks at me, and I can’t stop smiling. My heart is full. My parents would be proud.

This is everything I’ve ever wanted.

“So I won’t bore you any longer,” I say, “enjoy cowboy night!”

I give Carlo the microphone and he wraps me up in a big hug, gesturing over to the boys with a nod.

“Go over to the guys,” he says, “they have a little surprise for you.”

“Thank you,” I say, giving him a kiss on the cheek.

“For what?” he asks, taking a sip of his beer as he smiles.

“For being a loyal employee. For being here for me.”

“I knew you would turn this place around,” he says, “now go.”

I grab three beers and go over to Mark and Elliot, squeezing through the crowd, weaving between people I’ve known for years and people I haven’t met yet.

“Hello,” I say, handing each of them a beer. “I’m glad you’re here.”

“Where else would we be, miss?” Mark says, tipping the brim of his hat down.

“We are equal partners, remember?” Elliot says, putting an arm around me, “that means we wouldn’t miss cowboy night for the world. Plus, we need to immerse ourselves in the business if we are ever going to be as good as you. I was just explaining to Mark here what the term ‘double wood’ means.”

“I am just learning so much here. It’s very exciting. Oh, and we have a little something for you,” Mark says, bending down to grab a big white shopping bag from the floor.

“Carlo told me you guys had something for me,” taking the bag, “that’s so nice! What is it?”

“Open it,” Elliot says.

I peek inside and see a shoe box, and I take it out, placing it on a nearby table, and find a pair of cowboy boots inside.

“Oh my god,” I laugh, “this is so cute!”

“We remembered you mentioned the cowboy boots they used to sell at the thrift shop,” Elliot says.

“That’s really nice of you,” I reply, a smile playing on my lips. “Like, really nice.”

“There’s something else,” Mark says, putting up a finger and going into the inside pocket of his suit jacket. He finds an envelope and pulls it out, handing it to me casually.

“What’s this?” I say inquisitively.

“You have to see,” Elliot replies.

I open the envelope and my fingers begin to tremble as I see what’s inside. My stomach flips over when I see what’s written on the thick paper in my hands.

“Really?” I say, looking Mark and Elliot, “Paris?”

“That’s right, baby,” Mark says, hugging me, “you deserve a vacation. You work hard enough.”

“We can’t wait to take you. We know you’ve never been there before,” Elliot says.

“And we can all practice our French there!” I say.

This is just the icing on top of a cake that is so sweet and delicious and good for me all at the same time.

“Nous t'aimons,” Mark says, looking between me and Elliot.

My heart soars and I close my eyes, lost in their embrace.

“I love you too.”