Nicole
“More pepper,” I tell Brittney, nodding as I watch her grind some more on top of the pasta. I wipe my hands on the apron, and then quickly scoop up the plate and set it on another counter, ready to be picked up by the waiters.
The Old Pearl is full tonight, and it’s been all hands on deck since we’ve opened doors for the night. All waiters on payroll are working tonight, and even Palmer and I have been hands-on inside the kitchen, checking every single plate before it goes out.
It’s been a busy night, but I wouldn’t change any of that.
“Hey, take a break,” Palmer whispers into my ear, coming up behind me and wrapping his arms around my waist.
“I can’t, I still have to -” I start to protest, but he just turns me around and looks into my eyes. I don’t know why it still happens, but I always forget what I’m saying whenever my gaze meets his. Something about those deep blues ... it never fails to make me lose all focus.
“Forget about that,” he continues, gently smiling at me. “I want to show you something.” His hands go around my waist, and he undoes the knot on my apron; taking it off me, he throws it on top of a counter and then grabs my hand. He starts dragging me out of the kitchen, but I sink my heels on the floor, trying to stop him.
“I can’t go out there like this!” I protest, imagining the reaction of the patrons if they saw my hair tied in a bun and my tired expression. Not exactly the best way to leave an impression.
Besides, tonight’s a special night. It’s been one year since Parker and I joined forces and combined our talents. Both The Old Tale and The Pearl on Park disappeared, and in their place arose a new restaurant: The Old Pearl.
We’ve been running it for the past year, and the whole thing feels like a dream. A combination of high-end cuisine shaped by more traditional food, the whole concept has left such an impression that we’re already booked for the next six months.
Critics from all over the country fly in to try our food, and we’ve never failed to impress. Not that we have to try hard; it just comes naturally to us. We’ve combined our strengths, and in the process we created something unique, something that arose from deep inside our souls.
It isn’t about food.
The Old Pearl is a product of love.
Palmer and I have been together for one year now. We’re business partners, yes, but we’re more than that. We’re friends, lovers...we’re everything I dreamed of when I used to stay awake late at night as a small child.
“Come on, let’s go,” Palmer laughs, trying to drag me out of the kitchen.
“You should go, Nicole,” Kate joins in, standing next to Brit smiling at me. “Everyone in the dining area is waiting for you. They want to see both chefs.”
“But...I can’t!” I continue to protest, digging my heels in. No way am I going to step out there. I still haven’t left the kitchen ever since dinner started, but I bet the place is full of food critics, politicians, and all these big shots I never cared about. That isn’t my idea of a celebration, but I guess you can’t help it when you run the most beloved restaurant in the country.
“You can,” Parker smiles. “And you will.”
With that, he closes the distance between us and picks me up from the floor. Carrying me in his arms, he walks out of the kitchen and into the dining area, only putting me down when there’s no way I can escape.
I feel my cheeks growing red as I look around the room, ready to face the scrutiny of dozens of important people I’ve never heard about.
That’s not what I find there.
The moment my feet touch the floor, the whole room starts clapping, and I look around to meet the gaze of my family and friends. My parents and brother are sitting at a table right at the center of the room, and all the other tables are filled with both old and new friends. Even Percy’s here, sitting in one of the corner tables.
“Surprise,” Palmer whispers into my ear, his hand on my lower back. “I wanted to have a real celebration,” he tells me, and I have to bite my lip down to stop the tears from coming. I can’t believe he planned this whole thing.
“I...I don’t even know what to say,” I mumble as everyone keeps on clapping and cheering. Then, feeling more awkward than I’ve ever felt, I offer all them a small bow.
“Alright, alright,” Palmer laughs, holding one hand up in the air and silencing the whole room. “I know we’re all eager to congratulate the best chef the world has ever known, but there’s something I want to do first.”
Still smiling, he reaches inside one of his pockets and produces a small velvety box. My gaze goes down to that box, and I feel my eyes widening as I realize what he’s about to do.
“Nicole...You know me. I’m no good with words,” he tells me, and then lowers himself until his right knee is on the floor. He raises the box up, and then props it open to reveal a small golden ring on the inside.
My grandmother’s wedding ring. He must've asked my parents for it.
“I’ve never loved anyone as much as I love you. You’re my life, Nicole. And I don’t want to spend it apart from you. Will you --”
I don’t even let him finish.
I throw myself down, my arms over his shoulders, and we both tumble down onto the floor.
“Yes! Yes!” I cry out, tears stinging at my eyes as I kiss his lips. “Yes, I will!”
“I’ll never leave your side,” he whispers, caressing my face and smiling.
“I’ll never want you to,” I reply, and then I just press my lips against his as everyone in the restaurant starts clapping and cheering again, making so much noise that I’m almost sure everyone in this damn city will hear it.
And that’s exactly the way it should be.
I’m in love; let the whole world know about it.