Chapter 23
Ella put all the pictures she took of Marco’s and Krissy’s place and spread them out on the table. She began sorting and placing the pictures into a portfolio. Once she was finished, she moved to the computer and added the pictures to a website Krissy helped her set up.
Lucas was right. She was selling herself short. She had a natural talent for interior design, and there was no reason why she shouldn’t charge for her time and concepts. At least she got something out of her time with him.
The jerk hadn’t even called her. Just upped and vanished without a word. She understood they had a fight, and yes, she slapped him, but he deserved it, and he could have told her he was leaving. She would have even settled for a text.
Angry tears pricked her eyes, but she forced them back. She was done crying over a guy who didn’t think she was worth a phone call. Besides, who had time to cry when she had a business to start?
First step was establishing herself by getting her portfolio ready for potential customers to view, so she arranged the photos by room with added color palettes.
Her website needed to be sleek and convey a professional vibe. She couldn’t have a sloppy website and expect people to trust her with their spaces. So she spent her time, making it the best to her ability. Maybe in time, when she had the money, she could pay someone to take it to the next level, but for now she had to work within her means.
Unfortunately, no matter how hard she worked, Lucas was on her mind like a pesky fly that wouldn’t go away. His stupid smile kept appearing, his laugh echoing in her head and those damn blue eyes that reminded her so much of the sky were there every time she closed her eyes.
Marco had told her in time it would get easier, but it’d been a week and the pain of losing him was still there.
She looked at the rose quartz crystal Martha had given her and picked it up, running her thumb across its surface. Apparently, it was supposed to heal one’s heart from pain and disappointment. So far it wasn’t working. Desperate, she’d even tried to sleep with it under her pillow, carried it around in her pocket, but it seemed even Martha’s crazy natural cures were no match for her broken heart.
Maybe if she just called him or texted him… She put the rose quartz down and picked up her phone. She scrolled to his name and hovered over it.
What was the point? He gave her an answer by walking out of her life and never looking back. A call or a text wouldn’t change that. Even if it brought her closure, she wasn’t sure it would make her feel any better in the end.
But god, she missed him—a fact she hated to admit but couldn’t deny no matter how hard she tried. No matter how much she hated him, the jerk had snaked his way into her heart, spread his venom, and infected her with his charm and sweet, tender kisses—an intense poison that left her numb and broken, a lifetime of after effects that she’d forever carry with her.
Damn him.
She ignored the tug trying to pull her into an hour of self-pity and turned her focus back on her website, her future. She couldn’t control Lucas, but she sure as hell could control what she was going to do with her life from here on out.
She worked until her eyes hurt and her legs were numb from sitting. The website was perfect—everything she wanted it to be, and now she needed to find her first paying client. She swung her bag onto her shoulder and headed out the door to her bike.
It was a short ride into town, and she hoped that the dark circles she’d been sporting under her eyes for the past week weren’t as bad as she remembered. A look in the mirror before she left would have probably been a good idea, but she didn’t want to waste any time. She had the courage now, and she was going to use it to her advantage.
She cruised by the local shops and over the cobblestone streets until she reached the boardwalk. The sign for Joe’s Lobster House glowed in the distance, but she kept her focus on her side of the boardwalk, walking her bike toward Vinny’s Lobster Shack.
Spring had finally arrived in all its glory. Vibrant flowers of yellow, purple, and reds filled window boxes, and the boardwalk was beginning to fill with unfamiliar faces. Pretty soon the hot days would usher in more happy families on vacation and happy couples on a long weekend getaway. The sight had never bothered Ella before, but the thought of seeing people blissful and in love made a rock settle in her gut.
She waved to Martha through the window of Mind, Body, and Soul as she continued to the restaurant. When she spotted Enzo standing behind the bar and her grandfather sitting on the stool across from him, she smiled.
The thoughts of happy tourists didn’t matter anymore. Her mind was back in the zone where it needed to be. She walked into her family’s restaurant, exuding confidence and determination.
“Fabriella!” Vinny called out.
“Hi Grandpa,” she said. “I’m happy you’re both here.”
“What’s the matter?” Enzo asked, dark eyebrows furrowing.
She slid on the stool next to her grandfather and placed her bag on her lap, pulling out a binder.
“What’s this?” Vinny asked.
Ella kept her game face on. “I have a proposition for both of you.”
Enzo glanced at Vinny then turned back to her and nodded. “Go ahead.”
“I want you to hire me to redecorate the restaurant.”
“What? That’s ridiculous,” Vinny said. “There’s nothing wrong with the restaurant.”
“It’s outdated,” Ella said.
“It’s traditional,” he countered.
“Still outdated.”
“Your grandmother decorated this place,” he said, hurt in his eyes.
Ella was expecting that response, but it still stung worse than she anticipated. Her grandmother took such pride in the framed pictures she placed on the walls and the lobster wall paper she lined the small space with. But holding onto the past was hindering all the possibilities of what the restaurant could be.
She looked to Enzo, hoping for support.
“The restaurant isn’t our focus, El, and you know that. It’s only here for the locals in the winter. We do most of our business outside. Why throw money into the interior?”
“Why not offer people more? What about when it rains? Nobody wants to sit outside on the boardwalk, but they still need to eat. Why not welcome them into this redesigned space that shows them exactly what Vinny’s Lobster Shack is all about. Show them that we’re more than a shack.” She looked her grandfather directly in his eyes. “We’re a place where traditions are formed, where little kids will look back when they’re adults and remember their summers eating the best damn lobster roll they ever had and having the time of their lives. The décor isn’t going to change that. Those traditions lie within all of us. I don’t want to take anything away, and I would never disrespect what Grandma created here, but I want to help usher in a new era. And maybe one day…” She fought the tears pressing against her lids and continued. “One day my own kids will remember this place as fondly as I do. Know that their mother created the magical space that they love so dearly, just like I will always remember this place as Grandma made it.”
She took Vinny’s hand and squeezed it. “I don’t want to do away with what makes this place special. I want to emphasize the traditions, the memories, and make this space a homage to you and the legacy you’ve created here.”
Vinny kissed Ella’s hand and squeezed it before looking at Enzo. “She makes a convincing argument.”
“She does.” Enzo nodded toward the binder. “What’s that?”
“I put together some ideas.”
“Let me see it,” Enzo said.
She handed him the binder, and he opened it, skimming through the pages. He got to the back, and his eyebrow lifted. “This doesn’t look like stuff for the restaurant.”
“No,” Ella said. “The front portion is. The back portion is my ideas for your place. You said maybe in the fall. I thought maybe we could discuss my rates.” She had originally volunteered to do it, but it was time for her to put value on herself. Lucas gave that to her and for that she’d forever be grateful.
Enzo was quiet for a moment, and she tried not to show doubt. It was her brother, but it was practice for the life she wanted to build. Silence stretched between them as he looked back down at the binder and skimmed back to the front. Finally, after what felt like hours, he closed the binder and placed it on the bar. He looked up at her and smiled.
“I’m impressed. You had a pitch, ideas to present, and you showed passion. I’m proud of you.”
“Thanks.” His words meant more to her than he would ever know. “So does that mean you guys will hire me?”
Enzo looked at Vinny again, and Vinny nodded. Ella tried to maintain her professional air, but her hands couldn’t be controlled. She happily clapped before jumping off the stool and throwing her arms around Vinny. “I promise I will keep the tradition alive.
“I trust you. Now you can talk to Enzo about your rates, what you’ll need to get started, and he’ll cut you a check.”
“And,” Enzo said, “we’ll talk about my place after you’re done here. I liked what you got, but I have a few of my own ideas I’d like to throw by you. But let’s focus on the restaurant for now.”
A smile spread wide across her face. “That sounds good.”
“You’re on for noon to five tomorrow, so why don’t you get here at ten, and we’ll discuss everything.”
“I’ll be here.” She kissed Vinny’s cheek and packed her binder back into her bag.
“And El,” Enzo said and she turned to him. “I don’t know what spurred this fire in you but whatever it was, I’m happy to see you chase your dreams again.”
At least there was brightness in the darkness. “Me too,” she said. “Me too.”