“Where the heck did I put that goddamn paper?” I mumble to myself while rummaging through my top desk drawer. The last thing I need right now is a headache, but that’s exactly what I’m starting to get. I can’t find the fucking piece of paper that has the hostess prospects interviews in it.

I know what you’re thinking: Leo, there’s this thing called phone contacts and online agendas, you’re probably chanting the numerous apps or computer programs that are available, so I have all this information at the tip of my fingers. Well, let me stop you right here, I know this, believe me, I’m a huge fan of technology. But it never occurred to me that I would need this piece of paper that’s currently playing hide and seek with me. And I’m a man, I fucking forgot to save that information.

When I got to the restaurant I found one disaster after the other. My sous-chef, bartender and hostess all called in sick. Apparently they all have food poisoning. No, they didn’t get it from eating at our restaurant. They went out partying and decided it was a good idea to eat sushi from a street vendor. Not the smartest thing to do.

Tonight the restaurant is hosting an anniversary party for a big PR company. We’re at full capacity and I’m about to lose my shit. I could bartend, but I still need a sous-chef and hostess.

Running my hands through my hair, I’m about to give up and try to manage everything myself when I hear a loud laugh coming from the foyer. I sprint toward the sound.

“Then I said, hey gorgeous if you touch the merchandise you’ll have to buy it.” Vin laughs as he finishes whatever story he was telling one of my waiters. The moment I see him I look up to the ceiling and mouth ‘Thank you, Jesus.’

Vin notices me and slaps Carlo’s arm before walking toward me.

“Hey brother, how’s everything going?” He greets me.

“I’m in deep shit, man. You couldn’t have arrived at a better time,” I answer.

“Well, I have a job in Vegas and decided to stop by here on my way through. What’s up?”

“I need your help. Do you still have your cooking skills?”

Oh, yeah ladies, all the male members of the DeLuca clan and extended family know how to cook, in fact, we’re great at it.

“You can bet that tanned ass of yours I do. How do you think I keep in such good shape? I work on my own meal plans,” he says confidently.

“I’m short on staff. I need you to cover for my sous-chef, can you do that for me?”

He eyes me, sobering he asks. “Who’s the chef?”

“Tony. I let Alberto go a few months ago,” I smile, knowing he likes Tony a lot more than Alberto, the previous one.

“Then yeah, I’ll help you brother.”

Half hour later I’m rearranging everything at the bar and reminiscing about my old bartending days back in college when my phone pings with a reminder. Fuck. I quickly look for Chrissy’s contact and press the call button. She answers on the third ring.

“Yes?”

“Hey Chrissy,” I say trying to keep my tone soft. She’s gonna fucking hate me even more for this.

“Hi Leo, are you on your way?”

“I’m really sorry, something came up at the restaurant and…”

She cuts me off. “I can’t go to the restaurant tonight, I have to finish an essay.”

I sigh, “No, it’s okay, I just need you to do me a favor. Muffin had an appointment at the vet today, and the kid that walks him every afternoon took him, but I need someone to pick him up.”

She doesn’t say anything and I do something that I only do for Chrissy. I beg. “Please, Chrissy. I’m really sorry Muffin ate one of your favorite pair of shoes the last time he was at your house, but if it makes you feel better, he ate one of my favourite Xbox controllers too.”

My voice becomes almost a whisper. “I really need your help.”

“Fine, as long as I get to feed him another one of your controllers,” Chrissy giggles. “Or better yet, one of those games you love so much.”

I release a sigh of relief because this is the easy going Chrissy I know, but that doesn’t mean I don’t have a comeback. “All my games are digital, you know since it’s twenty seventeen and all.”

“Don’t tempt me to feed him the whole box.” Shit.

“Sorry,” I apologize.

“Are you going to be home late?” she asks.

“I think that’s highly likely.”

“I’ll stay until you get home and I’ll handle dinner,” she says.

“You can stop by and grab some burgers or something on your way back to the house. My treat,” I offer.

“No, it’s fine. I got it,” she reassures me.

I could kiss Chrissy right now. “Thank you, really.”

“Yeah, yeah, you still owe me a pair of shoes.” She reminds me.

“I’ll buy you two, just pick them online, send me the link and they’re yours.”

After ending the call I sigh in relief. Three out of four crises averted, ain’t bad. Then the proverbial light bulb goes off in my head. Burgers.

I actually got fired from one of my jobs. I was working as a hostess in a really fancy restaurant. Tink!

The phone rings and on the second ring, Tink greets me with a cheerful “Hey Leo.”

“Tink, you working tonight?” She can’t see me, but I’m bouncing on my heels.

“Uhm, why? Are you going to ask me on a date?” she giggles.

“Uh, not exactly but, how about a nice dinner?”

“Huh?” she asks, confusion coloring her tone.

“I don’t remember if I mentioned it before but I own a restaurant and I have a big event happening in a few hours. I know this is shitty of me, but I’m one hostess short and I could really, really use your help.” This begging thing is getting a lot easier the more I do it.

“I’ll pay you double of whatever you’re making tonight and I’ll add a nice dinner,” I plead, then I go for the killer move. “With whatever dessert you want. As many as you want.”

Hey, don’t look at me like that, I know how much women love their sweets, even if you don’t admit it to yourselves.

Tink giggles. “Well, it’s your lucky day, it’s my day off. What time do you need me there?”

“Now?” I ask tentatively.

“Text me the address and I’ll be right over,” she says.

“I have a better idea, text me yours and I’ll send you an Uber.”

Two hours later I’m working the bar while Vin is in the kitchen helping Tony and making everyone laugh their asses off with some of his ridiculous stories, I’m sure. Tink is a pro at what she’s doing, it’s like she’s been working here for years instead of hours. Her smile and charm have all the guests in a cheerful mood. Once I showed her the whole restaurant, she barely needs any assistance from me. Not to mention she looks fucking hot in her little black dress. The moment I saw her entering the restaurant, my jaw almost dropped to the floor. She’s gorgeous and her personality is even more charming.

* * *

“Here,” I give Tink a pair of fluffy slippers. “Ely made me buy a ton of these for her after I hired her. They’re brand new.”

“Thank you,” Tink says while taking them and sitting at one of the barstools. “My feet are killing me, I’m so out of practice.”

“It’s not that you’re out of practice, you didn’t only act like a hostess, I saw you going to the kitchen’s entrance a couple of times and helping Kaye out.” Kaye was a new waitress but so far she was doing great.

“I noticed she was a bit nervous.” She points out. “I like her, she’s a sweet girl, but I couldn’t get why she was blushing like crazy.”

“I bet I can,” I mutter. And at that moment Vin comes out of the kitchen holding two plates.

“You guys, hung...Whoa!” He roars when he sees Tink.

He pushes past me and sets the plates on top of the bar, then he wipes his hands over his clothes and then takes Tink’s right hand with his. “My kingdom for the name of the most gorgeous woman I’ve ever set my eyes on.”

Tink instantly blushes. Yeah, he’s the reason they’re all blushing.

“Seriously man?” I scowl. Of course, neither of them pay me any attention.

“Tanya,” Tink answers, her voice barely a whisper.

“Sweet Tanya, I’m Vin.” And then the fucker kisses her hand.

“Tink, this is Vincenzo, my cousin.” I add already annoyed.

“The hot one,” he winks at her before adding. “Wait, Tink? As in Tinkerbell?”

“Yes,” I answer. “I chose the nickname because I think…”

“Nickname? She doesn’t need no nickname,” he cuts me off. “Tanya, your name is almost as hot as you are,” he says in a seductive tone.

“I see charm runs in the family.” Tink giggles.

I shake my head and point to the plates. “C’mon let’s eat before it gets cold.”

After finishing our meal I offer Tink a ride home, it’s late and I don’t feel comfortable sending her home in an Uber after all she did for me tonight. Vin tags along. He helped me a fuck ton too so the least I can do is offer him one of my guest rooms for the night since he’s catching a midday flight to Vegas tomorrow.

Once we drop Tink off at her place, and after I talk her into accepting my job offer so she doesn’t need to work two jobs anymore, I make my way home with Vin singing his ear off at my side.

“Don’t want to clooooose my eyes. I don’t want to faaaaall asleeep, ‘cause I’d miss you baby and I don’t want to miss a thiiiiing.”

He might have the looks but he definitely doesn’t have the voice. Have you heard dogs howling whenever they hear a siren? Yeah, that’s what I’m hearing right now.

* * *

I expect to find a mess and a battle going on at my house, but when I enter, everything is so quiet that for a moment I worry that Chrissy might’ve murdered muffin. Or vice versa.

What I see as I enter my living room has me stopping in my tracks. I quickly take out my phone and snap a photo of a sleeping Chrissy on my couch, cuddling Muffin. I smile not because of how sweet they look, but because now I have evidence that she secretly loves Muffin and she won’t be able to deny it.

As Vin makes his way inside the entryway carrying a duffle bag, I signal for him to be silent and to make his way to the guest room at the end of the hallway, while I go and grab two bottles of water from the fridge.

“Here you go man,” I say as I toss the bottle of water toward Vin.

He catches it and plops over the bed. “Thanks. What a night, huh? It reminded me of when we were younger and were forced to help around your folks’ restaurant.”

“Yeah, I remember we hated having to work there. Lorenzo was the only one who enjoyed it.”

We were both silent lost in thoughts of our teenage years.

“So, what’s new? Internet girl still around?” Vin asks, pulling me away from my memories.

“Yeah,” I smile. “We talk every chance we get.”

Vin takes a sip of his water before asking. “When are you guys meeting in person?”

“It’s funny you mention that, we were talking about meeting the other day. I might have promised her we would someday,” I sigh. “I probably shouldn’t have done that.”

“Why the fuck not?” Vin frowns. “She married or something?”

“Fuck no,” I snap. “I would never mess with a married woman, you know that.”

“Then what the fuck is the problem?”

“She lives in Ireland, man.”

“So?” Vin asks nonchalantly.

“Did you hear what I just said? She. Lives. In. Ireland.” I slowly enunciate each word.

“I’m not fucking dumb, asshole, I heard you. And I still don’t see the fucking problem.”

“I can’t leave everything and travel all over the world to meet her.” The moment I say the words I feel an ache in my chest when realization hits me. If I could, I would travel all over the world just to meet her.

“The fuck you can,” Vin points at me. “You have feelings for this girl, I can tell.”

“You saw how things can get tonight. The restaurant is a handful, I have responsibilities, big ones. I…I just can’t.” I run a hand through my hair. “I shouldn’t have said I wished I was there on Valentine’s day to be with her.”

There are a lot of things I shouldn’t have said to Kaitlyn and a fuck a lot more I should say to her. But I can’t. Not yet anyway.

Vin stares at me and sits up straight. “The way I see it, you’re just making excuses.” His tone grows serious as he says. “If she’s important to you, you’ll find a way, if not, you’ll find an excuse.”

I snort. “Did you get that out of a Hallmark card?”

“Close, a Hallmark movie.” We both laugh.

“But seriously man, I think you should do this. Better an oops than a what if.”

“Christ, don’t turn all philosophical on me right now. Besides,” I sigh. “I’m too tired to point out every reason why I just can’t go, no matter how bad I want to.”

“Then sit back and relax brother, because I already know what you’re going to say and I have a solution for everything.”

“Oh yeah? Let’s hear it.” I dare him.

Holding up his index finger, he starts. “You worry about the money? I have enough flight miles to last me a lifetime, take them. You can even fly first class, motherfucker.”

“It’s…” I attempt to speak but he waves me off.

Raising his middle finger, he continues. “You’re worried about the restaurant? My schedule is clear after Vegas so I can come back here and help you with whatever you need, I might not have a restaurant like you DeLucas but I know my way around, and what needs to be done on daily bases thanks to our folks. “And,” he wiggles his eyebrows. “I’ll get to know Tanya a little more.”

“Don’t you even think about it.” I deadpan. “She’s off limits. She’s been through enough.”

“I was joking. God, lighten the fuck up.”

“Just making sure.” I add.

I’m about to tell him that he’s missing the most important thing. The very first thing on each and every one of my lists when we both get startled. Not by Chrissy’s voice, but because of what she says. “And I’ll help with everything else.”

“Ah, there, you see? Everything’s taken care of now,” Vin grins at me.

I turn to look at Chrissy who’s rubbing the sleep off her eyes. “How long have you been listening?”

She yawns. “Long enough.”

Shaking my head, I tell them. “Thank you guys, but I…”

“You,” Chrissy points at me. “Are going.”

Vin chuckles and I scowl at him. He holds his hands up in surrender.

Chrissy enters the room and approaches me. “Next month is going to be tough, Leo. We both know it.”

I don’t say anything because she’s right, because I don’t want to think of what’s coming, not right now.

“You’re a good guy, you work hard.” My eyes meet hers as she says. “You deserve a little break, and you might not get another one for a while. If this girl is important to you, now’s your chance.”

“Have I ever told you I’ve always liked you kid?” Vin says.

Chrissy rolls her eyes. “I’m not a kid.”

“No,” I smile at her. “Not anymore.”

She smiles back, “So, are you going?”

I turn to look at Vin while trying to pull off the most serious expression I can conjure. Inside I’m fucking elated. “I hope you meant what you said because I’m flying first class, motherfucker.”

Vin claps and Chrissy squeals.

“I have three days to organize this,” I say. I pull out my phone from my pocket, “Let’s do this.”

Three days later

I’ve been purposely avoiding Kaitlyn for the past couple of days. Leaving her vague messages, hinting at how busy I’ve been. Which isn’t a lie. I’ve been busy as fuck organizing everything with the help of Vin, Chrissy and even Tink, so I can go meet Kaitlyn and spend Valentine’s day with her. It’s fucking crazy, I know but as I find the perfect spot to make the call I’ve been dying to make for the past three nights. I can’t help but smile.

I log onto my Facebook and see Kaitlyn online. Great, this is a good sign, I reassure myself.

I’m about to press the call button on top of my messenger app when I suddenly change my mind and press the video call one instead.

After a few rings the call gets connected and Kaitlyn comes into view.

“Leo?” She has a little frown on her forehead that makes her look adorable. She’s even more gorgeous than in her pictures.

“Hey,” I smile. “What are you doing on Valentine’s day, pretty girl?”

She giggles. “I told ya already. Nothing, just sit in my living room and watching some TV.”

Fuck. I’ve heard her voice before but somehow hearing her sexy accent while watching her has my body humming in anticipation. Cool it, man.

“Well, I hate to break it to you, but your plans are about to change. Kaitlyn, will you be my Valentine?” I smile.

“What are you talking about?” She asks. “Where are you? There’s a lot of noise.”

“Oh, I’m sorry. Let me show you.” I wink at her before turning the screen, giving her a pan view in front of me.

When I turn the screen back to face me, I see the confused expression on her gorgeous face.

“Is that?” She doesn’t finish the question but she doesn’t need to.

“Yes, baby, it is.” She gasps and covers her mouth.

“But I ain’t boarding that plane if you don’t answer me first. Will you be my Valentine?”

I can see her eyes getting watery but at the same time a big smile makes her face light up as she nods.

“Thank fuck,” I chuckle. “I hope you’re ready for me baby, because I’m coming for you.”