Chapter 17

Laynie

We spent the majority of the week with Alan and Anna, whom still hadn't gotten their own room. When me and Jared questioned that, they both gave us an excuse of being too broke. Like even. We went sightseeing and ate out every night. Jared and Alan have their guy time and me and Anna went to a spa again. When I asked Anna why she wanted to go to a different spa then last time she told me she was scouting out the competition. I gave her a funny look in which she replied, she was thinking about moving out here. I was shocked. It would make me so happy to have her here with me. When I told her as much we shared a smile and a big hug, we didn't separate until some guy walked up and tried to join in. We pushed him off and walked away. New York for you.

When it was time to say good-bye, it was bitter sweet. Alan of course made a joke that he had to get back to helping little brats learn that Africa was a continent, not a country. We were all proud of the way he turned his life around. When he got into that car accident, it really worried us. Neither of us realized his drinking had gotten that bad.

"You better be making yourself sexy in there. I plan on coming back to this apartment and sneaking in more kisses." Jared yells from the living room. Dragging me from my thoughts.

I giggle, thinking of how many sneaky kisses he gave me on the way home from getting groceries this afternoon. I'm currently in the bedroom getting dressed. He is taking me on a date. We are going to dinner and a club. It has been a long time since we went dancing, so I was going to make myself look good. I also wanted to make Jared salivate.

"Coming Jared." I said in a sing a long voice. I hear him groan a little and say something about already needing a cold shower. He was definitely going to drool a little. Even I think I look good.

My self-esteem has gotten a lot better since our talk. Jared always compliments me and kisses me every chance he can. Tonight, I plan on having those kisses lead to something else. We still haven't slept in the same bed, Jared's idea, and I am more than ready to turn that around. I give myself one last glance at the mirror and head to the living room. When Jared sees me, he stops in his tracks. He is on his phone and hangs up quickly, mouth gaping open.

"Holy Sh-crap. You look mouthwatering baby." He says. Jared still doesn't like to curse in front of me. The other day he slammed his finger in the cabinet and scream son of a turkey biscuit.

I do a little spin for him in my short black dress. It stops right above my knee, with a halter top that connects behind my neck. It is see through right above my breasts and is tight in all the right areas. I had my hair completely straight which stops right past my shoulders.

"Maybe we should skip the date and just hang out here?" he says rubbing his neck like a nervous teenager. I laugh because although Jared can be very sweet and romantic he has a very dominant side. He wants me all to himself, but I'm not letting him, yet.

"Come on Jared, I haven't been out in forever, and I can't remember the last time we went dancing." I add putting my pearl earrings in.

Jared has the same sorrowful look on his face as he always does whenever I say something like that. He is blaming himself for us not going out enough. I don't blame him, I was just stating facts. Something I reiterate to him.

"I know babe, I just hate that you have been living in hell because of me. I want everything to be perfect for you tonight." He says excitedly.

I smile up at him and take his hand in mine. We head over to his car and he opens the door for me. I get in the passenger seat. Tomorrow is his follow up appointment with the neurologist from Jersey and technically he was told not to drive just yet, but we made tonight an exception. He drives off to the restaurant which is only about a half hour drive. We spend the entire time holding hands. Once we park I glance up at the restaurant he has taken us to. It doesn't even look open. The whole place is dark and it seems like we are the only car here. He helps me out of the car and we walk hand in hand to the front but he stops just before the curb.

I look to him to see what made him suddenly stop, when he looks at me with a shy grin then looks up at the top of the restaurant. I shake my head and laugh at him when he wiggles his eyebrows then looks at me again then back at the restaurant, indicating for me to follow his gaze. I finally look up and see what has his smile so big.

"Oh my God Jared. You didn't." I scream.

I start bouncing up and down with my hands clasped on my mouth. Tears coming down my cheeks. I turn to face my husband, who's incredible smile has gotten even bigger.

"It has a lot of renovating to do. The couple that sold it to me originally wanted to tear it down, but I saw promise in it and knew you would to. I told them about your dream and they included all the kitchen parts." He states still smiling.

"I wanted there to be a way to surprise you, but also get something out of the way for you. I killed two birds with one stone." He says looking at the bright red and gold sign up top.

He definitely did. I have never received anything like this in my life. While Jared and I were in Minneapolis we were doing well financially, but it would be years until I was able to save up for my own restaurant. I made a journal of exactly how I have always wanted it to be, and he has the sign down perfectly. I guess in his memory it feels like me telling him was just yesterday. I jump on him causing him to almost fall of the curb and kiss him all over. The man bought me a restaurant. He holds the keys up with two fingers and laughs when I grab them quickly and run to the entrance.

"Open the doors Laynie Cole." He whispers in my ear from behind me. Goosebumps trail along my body as I do as I'm told.

He was right, it needs work. Most of the windows are boarded up. The tile is cracked with some missing slabs. There are some old booths that I could still use but the leather would need to be replaced. I see a pile of wood in the corner and upon closer inspection I see what I's assuming is part of the old restaurant's sign. I make a mental note of putting that up on display somewhere. People will appreciate the history. The lighting surprisingly does not need much upgrading, more like a good dusting. Almost everything in the kitchen, I can use. I am going to need a couple upgrades here and there but other than that there isn't much to replace.

We spend about two hours in the restaurant where I make him write in a notebook, that he conveniently brought with him, the things that I need to have fixed, replaced, or trashed. I tell him all about my ideas and where I can already picture everything as we sit on the floor and eat take out. It was perfect date.

"You ready to head to the club?" He asks while throwing the containers in the garbage.

"Actually, I think I'm ready to head home. Dancing sounds fun, but what I have in mind sounds better." I say hoping he will get the hidden meaning.

Jared stares at me for a second, then the realization sets in. He puts his head down and I walk over and lift his chin up with my fingers. I already know what he is about to say. I stop him before he can.

"Jared, I know what I want. I know you didn't do this to prove a point or because you wanted something out of it. You did it because you love me. I love you baby, so much, and thank you for this. I just really want you to make love to me now." I say blushing. I usually don't talk like this but I'm tired of him tip toeing around me. I'm ready.

Apparently, that's all the ammunition Jared needs. He grabs my hands and practically runs out the doors of my new career, my new restaurant, my dream come true. I look back at the sign as he drives off, it's as perfect as I thought it would be. The flashing sign of Maggie's Place has my heart finally complete.