3D: Ambushed

Julio and Aubrey had a long, tiring year. Between Golden Palm Club’s growth, Aubrey’s second restaurant, and an international wedding, the young couple desperately needed R&R. Julio suggested a weekend getaway in Sulani, but Aubrey wanted a week Windenburg. Their role reversal amused him. Usually, he was the one with grand plans while Aubrey preferred simpler things. “I’ve always wanted to visit Windenburg again,” she said. His own memories from the last trip had almost faded. He was a tiny thing and recently learned to tie his shoelaces. Whether or not Tony was proud, he sure pretended to think it was the most amazing feat ever. That was forever ago, and while seeing Windenburg again would be nice, thoughts of nine-hour flights and the hassels of international travel exhausted him. But, Aubrey had her heart set on it. She was his entire world, and little existed he would not do to keep her happy.

Julio appreciated Jonathan’s hotel recommendation. The reviews on hotel sites were so iffy and sometimes misleading. Besides, they had similar tastes, and everything Jonathan recommended was top-shelf.

Around 5:30 a.m., the tired and hungry couple landed. Hunger was a quick, easy fix, so they checked in the hotel to stow their bags while hunting for breakfast. Fresh-cut flowers wafted through their nostrils as he opened the door. Flowers weren’t Julio’s thing, but he appreciated the effort. No wonder the hotel came highly recommended.

Aubrey loved the room and said it was “so fancy.” The suites he booked in Greece were far more fancy, but it was satisfactory. Floral prints, birds, and pastels were more feminine than he cared for, and the room was much smaller than he imagined, but as long as the wife approved, his opinions did not matter.

“Wouldn’t it be cool if this were the room my parents stayed in?”

Sometimes, she said the strangest things. “Ummm … ‘Cool’ isn’t exactly the word I’d use, but…”

Back home, it was bedtime. The frigid rainfall only enhanced his long for sleep, but his rumbling tummy demanded attention.

“Who are you calling so early?” she asked.

“A taxi.”

Wherever they’d eat, he needed to get there fast.

“Can’t we just walk? I’m sure there’s a cafe nearby. There’re cafes on every corner here.”

Aubrey wasn’t exactly a night owl, but he was the token early bird of the pair. Her excitement for the trip dated weeks before they even considered what to pack. She was so happy. How could he deny her this simple pleasure? A few blocks wouldn’t kill him.

Neither were dressed for traipsing through the rain. The hem of his pants got soaked in every puddle they waded. Julio’s chilly ankles and damp socks muddled his mood, but Aubrey found beauty in it. Her smile was so infectious. The glow surrounding her was brighter than he’d seen in a while.

“I just love how beautiful this town is,” she yelled.

He couldn’t steal her joy and quickly found something on which to concur. “Yeah. I kinda like the old architecture.”

“Right? And, the scenery! It’s country and mountainous and oceany… Ooh! Did you visit the island when you were here?”

He shrugged. “Probably. I don’t remember much. It was a business trip for my dad, so I stayed in the hotel a lot.”

“Oh. Well, that’s a bummer.”

A bummer indeed. Young Julio beamed with excitement for the “boy’s trip.” Tony had to work, but Julio expected time for exploring afterward. Alas, it was just a weekend trip of more of the same: dinners with suited men and watching Dad talk. Perhaps Tony meant for him to watch and learn. 

“Ooh! I remember this cafe! Let’s eat here,” she said, trotting ahead.

South Square Coffee, the sign read. Nothing about Windenburg rang any bells; it was a true foreign city to him. Aubrey was not an expert either, but in a way her memories brought him comfort. 

Breakfast used to be a meal he ate simply because the women in his life prepared it for him. Now, because of his workouts, he saw the importance and looked forward to it much like he longed for a cup of coffee to warm his cold feet. Aubrey ordered a crescent but did not eat. Her radiant smile had not faded, but her thoughts were clearly elsewhere. 

“It would be amazing to start a restaurant here!”

Julio almost choked on the coffee. “What?”

“We could move here for a little while and expand our businesses!”

Julio sat dazed like she sucker punched him in the face. Was this the reason she insisted on vacationing in Windenburg? To get him to fall in love with the city and ambush him with the idea? “Wh-wha-why would we do that?”

Her head jerked back and eyes flew open as if he said he didn’t believe in Father Winter or something. “Why? Why not? You don’t have plans to take your business global? I find it hard to believe your dad didn’t.”

She spoke of Tony as if she knew him, and it angered yet encouraged him. He didn’t appreciate her making assumptions while remaining ignorant on the specifics of the business. But, to hear her speak of him so casually … It was nice. No one talked about Tony anymore. Only Julio kept his memory alive.

“Aubrey … What’s this about?”

She scowled at him. How had he offended her that fast? “You don’t know?”

He loved her to no end, but sometimes their conversations frustrated him. It took everything not to roll his eyes. “Clearly not.”

“My dad’s dream of opening restaurants around the world? We talked about this!”

He remembered the dream but forgot the around the world part. “Sweetie, I’m not dismissing you and your dad’s dreams, but …” He slouched and sighed. “I don’t want to move to another country.”

Her eyebrows pushed closer together ever so slightly, but she averted her eyes to hide the disappointment. “Ok … I understand. We don’t have to do it anytime soon.”

Just as relief settled in, boldness displaced her disappointment. “But, this is something I’ll want to do, eventually.”

Her tone was almost threatening like an ultimatum. No one doubted she had the more dominant personality, so he was not a stranger to her demands. But, uprooting their lives was not the same as wanting to visit Golden Palm Club or work together. She wouldn’t wear him down by harping on it this time. This was a life changing decision which required a series of conversations. But, her tone … She acted like he owed her.

“We’re tired,” he said. “Let’s just go back to the hotel.”

“Ok, but we’re not done with this.”

There was that tone again.

“For now, we are.”

Her eyes flicked open. He rarely clapped back, but sometimes she needed to know who wore the pants.

They walked silently for a few blocks with only the splish splash of their steps to entertain them.

“Hey, look,” she said, stopping in front of a building. “This old bar is for sale!”

He didn’t resist rolling his eyes that time.

“Let’s see if it’s locked.”

“Let’s not,” he chided.

She left him and opened the gate.

“Aubrey, I’m pretty sure this is trespassing.”

She shot him a snotty glance. “Then they should have locked up!”

“I thought I said we were dropping this.”

“We did! There’s no harm in looking, Julio.”

He disagreed. But, she was strong willed, and he was a gentleman. Reluctantly, he followed her, peeking behind to see if anyone noticed.

“Oh my goodness, Julio! This place is perfect for a restaurant! This little wall could separate the host’s station from the dining area. And,”–she gasped–“the bar area would make a PERFECT open kitchen! And, there’s an upstairs! I bet there’s plenty of room up there for a private office!”

Julio stood back watching the train speed away from the station. He half expected her to find the owner and make an offer.

“Oh look, Julio! There’s a patio out here!”

Only patience and willpower got them out the bar. He may have removed her body from the situation, but he could not stop her from dreaming about it. The entire walk, she yammered on and on about food options, decor, construction, management, and the whole nine. He admired her imagination and ambition; they were qualities that originally drew him to her. But, he wasn’t ready to entertain this Windenburg scenario yet.

Back at the hotel, they changed into their PJs and settled into bed. Aubrey’s body lay atop his, but her mind was back at the bar. “You really won’t consider relocating? Ever?”

A long heavy sigh pushed through his nostrils as he realized he would not be rid of this conversation for a very long time. “I’m not saying never. But, definitely no time soon.”

“Why not?”

“Seriously, Aubrey? Why are you? You just opened a new restaurant. My club is fragile right now too. It would be financial suicide if we abandoned our businesses right now.”

She sighed too. “Yeah. I suppose you’re right. It’s just fun to think about.”

“I know.”

“And, I guess part of me feels like I have to rush everything right now.”

“Why?”

“Well … I kinda wanted to have everything done and in place before we have kids.”

“In theory, it’s smart. But, plans fail sometimes. Take cues from your parents. Getting involved in too much too fast isn’t good.”

The freedom Julio had with Aubrey didn’t exist anywhere else, and he was so grateful for the openness and honesty they shared. He and Jonathan had gotten close, but an unspoken code forbade them to discuss his old life.

She sucked her teeth. “Not sure I like you being right all the time.”

He grinned. “Are you ready to sleep now?”

“I guess so.”

“Good. Don’t let this distract you. Everything will happen when it’s supposed to.”

And, if it didn’t happen at all, he’d appreciate that too.

Twenty minutes into their nap, Aubrey lost the will to rest. “Julio … Are you sleep?”

He arose reluctantly, kissing sleep goodbye. “What is it now?”

She nestled against him. “Maybe in the meantime we can take German classes! You know … Get prepared?”

He sighed, hoping he’d be able to squash this—at least for the day. “We barely have time to spend with our families, Aubrey. Where are you going to fit school? Don’t worry about this, ok? It’s distracting you already. You really need to sleep.”

“I’m sorry! I just thought …”

“I know. It’s a good idea, but we came here to rest. What you’re doing…this is work talk.”

“You’re right. I’m sorry. You know I suck at resting.”

“Me too, but I’m trying.”

“Can you hold me? Until I fall asleep?”

He gathered her into his arms, kissing her forehead. “Of course. I love you, Aubrey.”

She yawned, molding herself against him. “And, you’re so good at it.”