How Much I Love by Marie Force

Chapter 17

DEE

The week after Wyatt leaves drags like nothing ever has. Every minute feels like a year, except for the hours I spend talking to him, usually late into the night after my waitressing shifts. I'm so tired, I'm practically delirious, but I wouldn't trade the hours on FaceTime with him for sleep. So far, I've toured six potential houses and have narrowed the choices to two I love. I want him to see them before I make any decisions, but the thought of living with him in either of them fills me with unreasonable joy.

I've spent time with my parents every day this week but still haven't talked to them about Wyatt and our plans. I haven't even told them I'm leaving for Phoenix on Sunday. I'm planning to see them before my waitressing shift later to let them know.

It's finally Friday, and I'm due to meet with my aunt and uncle this morning, so I drive out of my way to stop by Juanita's to get a much-needed kick of caffeine.

“¿Dónde está tu chico sexy?”

Smiling, I say, "My sexy man is in Phoenix, where he lives. For now, anyway. He's moving here next week."

"That is awesome. It's so nice to see you smiling again after what that jackass Marcus did."

"You know about that, huh?"

"Everyone knows about that. And PS, I know the puta he married, and she's no Dee Giordino."

"Aw, thanks, but that's all in the past now. I'm in love with Wyatt, and we're making plans. It's all good."

"You deserve it, cariño." She hands over my cortadito. "Heard about your big new job, too. Congrats."

"Thanks." As I give her a ten-dollar bill, I gesture to the coffee. "This will be critical to my success on the job."

"I'm here for you."

"Bless you, amiga."

I drive to the restaurant in rush-hour traffic, feeling elated and tired and so ready to see Wyatt again. The time apart has been pure torture, which only confirms my decision to go all-in with him. If I feel this way after a couple of days without him, then I know I'm doing the right thing. It does occur to me that if the worst possible thing happens, I'll have to feel this awful ache every day for the rest of my life.

"No, you're not going there," I say out loud as if that might make me listen to my advice. "Just stop that right now."

I refuse to let my mind go to that possible doomsday scenario, not after I promised Wyatt I'd be fine no matter what happens. That's a promise I intend to keep.

When I arrive at the restaurant, my aunt and uncle are waiting for me in the office with mimosas to celebrate my first day of training. They're too cute.

"Here's to our new general manager on her first day of what we hope will be a long and happy career," Vincent says.

"I'll drink to that," Vivian adds.

Smiling, I say, "Me, too."

We touch glasses and sip from our drinks.

"And here's to the two of you, who've built this incredible business. I'm honored and humbled you’ve chosen me to guide it into the future. I promise to do my very best to be worthy of the faith you've placed in me."

"We couldn't be happier to have you," Viv says.

We spend the next three hours reviewing the weekly routine—everything from ordering food and liquor to linens and other supplies.

"I started keeping detailed daily notes about three months ago when this idea first began to take shape." Vincent hands a notebook to me. "It's all in there, what I do every day along with some explanations of what I do and when I do it, and details about how much of everything we usually order along with caveats to account for banquets, weddings, et cetera."

"It's a lot," Viv says bluntly. "We don't expect you to fully grasp it right away, which is why we planned for you to shadow us for the next few months until you feel confident flying solo."

"Thank God for that." I'm already overwhelmed but determined. I'll figure it out. It just won't happen overnight.

Since I'm working tonight, they send me home with a takeout lunch to rest up before my shift.

I'm eating homemade minestrone and a Caesar salad and poring over Uncle V's notebook when Wyatt calls. His name on my caller ID is all it takes to get my heart racing.

"Hi there."

"Hey, babe. I just wanted to say hi between surgeries. How'd your training go?"

"It was great but daunting. I've got a lot to learn."

"You'll be running that place by yourself in no time. I have no doubt."

"I'm glad you don't."

"You already have so much experience there. That'll come in handy as you take on this new role."

"Yes, it will. How was your surgery?"

"It went well—routine angioplasty. The patient should make a full recovery. Next up is an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator.”

"It's very sexy when you throw around words like angioplasty and implantable cardioverter-defibrillator."

His ringing laughter makes me smile. "I'll have to remember that the next time I see you."

"How much longer?"

"About forty-eight hours."

"That feels like forever."

"I'm counting the minutes. I'll probably be at the airport two hours early on Sunday."

"I can't wait to see you."

"I can't wait to kiss you and hold you and—"

"Stop."

"Don't want to stop. In fact, after work tonight, why don't I tell you exactly what's going to happen when you get to Phoenix on Sunday?"

I swallow hard. "I'm not sure talking about it will make it better."

"Let's try it and find out." He groans. "I gotta go. Call me when you get home?"

"I will. Good luck with your surgery."

"Thanks. Have a good night at the restaurant. Don't talk to any strange boys who think you're hot."

Amused, I say, "I'll try not to."

"Love you."

"Love you, too."

"Mmm, I can't wait until Sunday."

The phone goes dead before I can reply that I can't, either. But he knows that. I feel like a teenager in the throes of first love. I can barely function from wanting to be with him all the time. The feelings are so big and overwhelming that I can't believe I ever thought I was actually in love with Marcus. I loved him. I truly did. But that was nothing like this.

The realization has me texting my sister, asking her to call me when she gets a break at the clinic.

She calls me five minutes later. "You caught me grabbing a quick bite between patients. What's up?"

"I wanted to ask you something kind of personal."

"Okay… Since when are we ever shy around each other?"

"This is about Scott."

"Uh, okay… What about him?"

"When you were first with Austin, did it seem weird to you that you ever thought you were in love with Scott?"

"It was different with Austin from the beginning, but I was definitely in love with Scott. Until he cheated, and I wasn't anymore."

"When you say ‘totally different,’ what do you mean by that?"

"My connection with Austin is deeper than what I had with Scott. It's hard to explain. It's just more."

"Yes," I say softly. "That's what I meant."

"What's brought this up, or shall I say, who has brought this up? Although I can probably guess."

"It's just so different with Wyatt, and it's made me wonder what I had with Marcus. I loved him. I really did, but it wasn't like this."

"That's because he was your starter love. Wyatt is your forever love."

"Leave it to you to sum it up so perfectly."

"Listen, Dee… From what I hear, Marcus is very determined to put things back together with you."

"That's not going to happen. How can we make sure he knows that?"

"I could make sure his sister hears about you and Wyatt."

"How would you do that?"

"I could post a picture of you guys on Facebook with a caption that says something like 'cheers to new love.'"

"I like that idea. It would shut down any efforts to reconcile. I just can't bear the thought of him hunting me down to talk it out. What's there to say?"

"Absolutely nothing. Do you have a good picture of you and Wyatt?"

"I do."

"Send it to me."

"Should I text him first to ask if he minds if we go Facebook public?"

"He's moving here to live with you, Dee. He won't mind, and I won't tag him. We'll just be alerting the people here who need to know."

"You're diabolically brilliant, and I love you."

"I love you, too. I'm so, so glad to see you smiling again."

"It feels good, almost too good to be true."

"It's not. It's as true as it gets. He's crazy about you. We could all see that."

"I'm just as crazy about him. This week, since he left, has been sheer torture."

"I remember what that was like after I first met Austin, and he went back to Baltimore for a few days. It was brutal."

"That's a good word for it, even if I feel like I'm super dramatic. It's just that everything feels so urgent with Wyatt."

"I get that. You'll be with him soon enough and can get busy living."

"I can't wait. How're you holding up with Austin in spring training?"

"It's fine. The team is playing three games in Fort Myers this week. I just miss him when he's away overnight. I've gotten spoiled having him home all winter."

"I'd offer to keep you company, but I'm working tonight and tomorrow night and flying to Phoenix Sunday morning."

"Don't worry about me. I'm fine. Austin will be home late tomorrow night. Everly and I will try to come in for dinner tomorrow when you're working."

"I'll look forward to seeing you both."

"Send me that picture."

"I will. Thanks again, Mar."

"Anything for you. Love you."

"Love you, too."

As always, my older sister makes me feel better about whatever is weighing on me. It's always been that way with us. While other sisters we knew fought like she-cats, we never did.

I find my favorite picture of me and Wyatt, a selfie I took on the boat last weekend, and send it to Maria. He's shirtless, with his gorgeous chest and tattoo on display, and I'm in a cute bikini top. Anyone who sees that picture will have no doubt we're happy and in love.

It pains me to think of hurting anyone, especially Marcus, even after what he did to me, but he needs to know there's no hope of reconciling with me. Maria is right—a post on her Facebook will shut that down pretty quickly.

I don't have any time to waste on the past. Not when my present and future are looking so damned perfect.

At three, I head over to check on my parents before my waitressing shift. I find them in the family room, sitting in side-by-side recliners and holding hands while they watch TV. They're so damned cute, and all I want in this entire world is to be their age someday and still holding hands with Wyatt while we watch TV.

"Hey, honey," Dad says. "I just talked to Vincent, and he said your first training session went great."

"Glad to hear he thought so." I kiss them both and sit on the sofa.

Dad turns off the news.

"Did you think so?" he asks.

"It was good. I have a lot to learn, but I've got time. It's an exciting challenge, though. How're you feeling, Mommy?" I've already texted both of them today, but I still have to ask.

"I'm fine. Nothing to worry about. I have a checkup the week after next."

"I'm sorry it's been such an ordeal."

"It is what it is. I'm staying focused on all the positive things in my life, such as the happy glow on my youngest daughter's face because she's found love again."

I can't stop the smile from stretching across my face at the mention of Wyatt. "I really have. He's amazing."

"He seems like a special young man," Dad says.

"He is. I'm going to Phoenix on Sunday to meet Wyatt's parents and drive back with him. I'll be gone about a week. Carmen promised to help out if needed, and Maria said she could do extra, too, especially since Austin is traveling with the team."

"Don't worry about us, honey," Mommy says. "Go have a wonderful time with your Wyatt. You deserve a break. You've been working and taking care of us for months. We'll be just fine."

"You promise?"

"I promise," she says, smiling. Being sick has softened her rough edges, made her sweeter and more loving than she's ever been, even if she was always a wonderful mother.

"We've been doing some talking, too," Dad says, "and we're going to sell the business."

She's a lawyer, and he's an accountant. Their firm provides legal and financial services to hundreds of other local businesses. They're self-professed workaholics, so this is somewhat shocking news. "This is a big deal."

"It's time," he says, sighing. "Duncan and Gloria have done a brilliant job running the show since your mother's illness. We're negotiating a deal for them to buy us out over ten years, which will give us guaranteed income for the next decade. After that, we'll be able to tap into our 401(k), and Social Security will kick in."

I'm surprised by how far along they are in planning this, and it's the first I've heard of it. "Sounds like a good idea." All this change is a lot to absorb. "Do you think you'll miss it?"

Dad smiles. "If you'd asked me that six months ago, I would've said there was no way I could be away from it for this long. But now…" He looks over at Mommy, who gazes at him with love and affection. "Now, I couldn't care less about the business, which tells me the time is right to step aside. With Vincent and Vivian doing the same, we're hoping to do some traveling together."

"That sounds wonderful. I'm happy for all of you. You've worked hard your entire life. It's time to play."

"That's right. As soon as your mom gets the all-clear from the doctors, we're outta here."

I just hope she gets that all-clear sooner rather than later. I leave them to head to the restaurant for one of the busiest nights of the week. It's not unusual for me to make as much as three hundred dollars in tips on Friday and Saturday nights.

On Saturday night, I work on the Cuban side of the house, which I requested to see what's up with her and Mr. Muñoz. As I do my prep work before the rush, Abuela comes to help me roll silverware into linen napkins.

"Thanks for the help."

"No problem."

She's had her hair done, as usual for a Saturday, and looks particularly lovely in a champagne-colored dress. I take a closer look and notice she's wearing eye shadow that matches her dress.

"You look beautiful, Abuela."

"Oh, thank you, honey. I do what I can with what I've got left."

She makes me laugh every time I talk to her. "You've got plenty left."

We work together in contented silence for quite some time before it occurs to me that contented silence isn't Abuela's thing.

"What's going on with you?"

She looks up at me, seeming startled by the question. "What? Nothing is going on."

"Something is. You're quiet."

"All this talk of change has me unsettled," she says after a long pause, during which I'm not sure if she's going to tell me what's on her mind. "Vincent told me to think of something I've wanted to do while I used work as an excuse not to do it. I just have no idea what I'd do if I didn't have this place to come to every day."

"Maybe you should accept Mr. Muñoz's offer to join him for dinner. Although the poor guy would probably die of shock if you said yes."

Her face flushes with a blush that's adorable and shocking. "Hush."

"Abuela." I wait until she looks at me. "Do you like him?"

She shrugs. "He seems nice enough. He sure is persistent."

"He's been asking you out for how long again?"

"I don't know. Four years, maybe? Since about a year after his wife died."

"Have you heard of him going out with anyone else in that time?"

She thinks about that for a second before shaking her head. "I don't think so."

"Abuela… He's waiting for you to say yes to him. He's holding out for you."

"Don't be foolish. He is not."

"He is. He's waiting for you to say yes, and he's never going to stop asking until you do. What do you have to lose by having dinner with a nice man who likes you?"

"I can't do that here. Everyone would talk. It would be mortifying."

I stare at her, incredulous. "Is that why you haven't said yes to him before now?"

She picks up the pace of her silverware rolling, but the set of her shoulders gives away the truth.

"If you say yes to him, I'll personally make sure no one says a word about it. I promise."

"Good luck with that in this family."

"I'll put up a firewall around you. I promise, Abuela. No one will say a word."

"But they'll still know."

"That two consenting adults ate a meal together? What do you care if they know that?"

"I can't bear to be the center of attention and gossip. I just can't."

"I'll put out the word that the topic is off-limits. I'll make sure of it, Abuela. Or I'll ask Mr. Muñoz to take you somewhere else."

"Somewhere else," she says with a disdainful huff of laughter. "There is nowhere else."

The curse of owning and working for a family restaurant known for its outstanding cuisine has made restaurant snobs out of us all.

"Say yes to him, Abuela. Please say yes."

Before she can reply, we spot early birds showing up at the hostess stand, and she takes off to greet them.

We start to get busy, but I keep an eye on her and watch for Mr. Muñoz, who comes at the same time he does every week, says a few complimentary words to Abuela as she shows him to his table—always C32, from which he can see the hostess desk—and asks her to join him. From across the room, I watch him gesture to the chair across from his. The hopeful expression on his handsome face touches me deeply. Please say yes, Abuela. I'm not sure if I think it or say it, but I watch them so closely, I barely blink or breathe in the full minute it takes for her to pull out a chair and take a seat.

It's all I can do to contain the joy that fills me as she settles into her seat and drops the napkin we rolled together across her lap.

The stunned look on his face is priceless.

Vivian approaches me from behind, taking me by surprise. "What's going on?"

I use my chin to direct her attention to C32. "Look."

She gasps at the sight of her long-widowed mother sitting with a man.

"You can't say anything about it to her. I promised her we wouldn't make a thing of it. Okay?"

"I, um, okay."

"Will you tell everyone else? I got the feeling she wanted to say yes to him but didn't want everyone teasing her about it. I promised her we wouldn't."

"I'll put out the word."

"Are you okay with it?"

"Oh, honey, of course I am. She's been alone for such a long time. After my dad died, I always hoped she'd find someone else, but she was so stubbornly determined to stay true to him. What do you suppose made her finally say yes?"

"I think it was Vincent telling her and Nona that they needed to find something to do besides work. And when I promised her I wouldn't let anyone tease her, that seemed to help make up her mind."

"That's wonderful, Dee. Well played."

"I'd better get over there and take their drink order before she starts critiquing the service."

Vivian laughs. "Good idea."

"You'll tell everyone to play it cool?"

"Yep. I'll take care of it, and I'll cover her hostess stand."

"Thanks, Auntie V." I head over to C32, where Abuela and Mr. Muñoz are engaged in animated conversation that stops when I get close to the table. "Hi there, welcome to Giordino's. I'm Dee, and I'll be taking care of you tonight. Can I offer you a cocktail?"

I know their drink orders by heart, but I play the role anyway.

Mr. Muñoz gestures to Abuela. "Marlene, what are you having?" His eyes sparkle with pure delight that makes my heart happy.

"I'd like a vodka Collins, please, with Absolut and two cherries."

"Coming right up. And for you?" He always gets Maker's Mark bourbon with branch.

"I'll have the same," he says, smiling at her. "That sounds delightful."

She blushes furiously.

Could they be any cuter? I go to the bar to get their drinks. When I return, his arms are on the table, and he’s hanging on her every word. After placing their drinks on the table, I run through the list of specials and take their order. She orders the ropa vieja, and he requests the picadillo.

"I'll be right back with salad and bread." As I start to walk away, Vivian brings another party to a nearby table without so much as a glance in her mother's direction.

Perfect.

Over the next couple of hours, they enjoy dinner, dessert and a bottle of champagne Vincent sends over.

Abuela is giggling and smiling and generally having a wonderful time. It's the best thing I've ever seen. They're still there when we begin to clean up for closing.

"Are we going to have to kick them out?" Vivian asks.

"Maybe."

But before we can do that, Mr. Muñoz stands to help Abuela out of her seat.

I walk over to say good night.

He hands me his credit card.

"Vincent said to tell you it's on the house."

"That's very nice of him. Please thank him for us."

"I'll do that."

He puts his card back in his wallet, withdraws a hundred-dollar bill and presses it into my hand. "Marlene tells me you're going to Phoenix to help your new boyfriend move to Miami. Use this for dinner one night on your trip."

"Thank you so much, Mr. Muñoz. Can I call a cab for you two?"

"I already ordered an Uber. I'll see Marlene home safely."

I kiss Abuela and whisper in her ear, "Don't do anything I wouldn't do."

She sputters and smacks at my arm, but as she walks away with her hand tucked into his bent elbow, she's as happy as I've ever seen her as if she's finally done something she's wanted to do for a long time.

I'm still high off the success of Abuela's "date" when I get home and jump in the shower. I throw in a load of laundry and pack for the trip to Phoenix before I settle in bed to call Wyatt.

He immediately accepts my FaceTime call. "Hey, beautiful. How was your night?"

"It was so great. You won't believe what happened." I tell him all about Abuela and Mr. Muñoz and how she finally said yes to him. "She was so happy. It was the sweetest thing I've ever seen."

"You did a good thing giving her a push."

"I know what it's like to have everyone up in my business and how uncomfortable that can be. If all it took was a promise for no one to tease her, it was worth it. I'm so happy for both of them. He's just the nicest man. Vincent treated them to dinner, but Mr. Muñoz gave me a hundred dollars to take you to dinner on our trip."

"Very nice of him. I'll make sure you get some awesome Southwest food while you're here."

"How many more hours?"

"About seventeen."

"I'm not going to make it."

"Don't give up on me yet. We're almost there. And the good news is we're going to sleep through most of those hours."

"I'm so excited. How will I ever sleep?"

"You need to be very well-rested when you get here."

His words send a shiver of longing down my spine that lands in a tight knot of need between my legs. I've never craved someone physically before. Not like this. "I can't wait."

"Me, either, sweetheart."