3D: First Quarrel

No one can obtain happiness by exchanging currency. But, money brings ease and access. Easy living without restrictions made Aubrey happy. Soon after solidifying the redecorating plans, she hired contractors and interior designers. Within a few weeks, she had what felt like a new home with her dream kitchen. The gleaming white cabinets and new lighting brightened the space and boosted her mood. Stone backsplash gave it a modern look. The pièces de résistance was the restaurant grade chef’s station built into an island large enough for an entire family to dine together. The kitchen became her new favorite place to hang out, and the money spent on the renovation brought happiness. Did she prove the old cliche wrong?

One morning, Aubrey awoke alone in bed as usual. She prepared breakfast assuming he’d join her, but he never showed. Like a good wife, she wrapped up a plate and set the oven to low to keep it warm for whenever he was ready for it. Usually, she found him working, but he wasn’t in the office either. “Good morning, Salma. Have you seen Julio?”

She wielded a bottle of cleaner and sprayed furiously around the computers snarling at crumbs. “He’s in the gym. Would you kindly ask him not to eat in here?”

The scene reminded her of Skyla’s rants during the nesting phase, and she giggled. “I’ll do my best.”

As she walked toward the gym, loud thuds and clanging metal echoed down the hall.

“Hey you. I made breakfast.”

“Oh, thanks. I’ll get it later,” he said, grunting through reps.

Aubrey stifled the urge to giggle at his struggles. Was this a new habit? “You’re working out now?”

He paused, catching his breath and flashing his beautiful teeth. “My dad worked out all the time. Even as an old man.” He shrugged. “When I work out, I feel closer to him … More like him.”

Julio spoke fondly of the man the Pruetts hated. Tales of their adventures painted a different picture. Even Jonathan expressed fond memories of their bromance. If Tony wasn’t an amazing man, he was a great pretender. Either way, Aubrey wished she could have met her father-in-law.

“I’m gonna head out in a bit. Food’s in the oven.”

“Thanks, Sweetie,” he said, returning to his workout.

Something sharp and tingly zinged through her body so fast she almost stumbled. “Did you just … Did you call me Sweetie?”

He grinned. “Yeah. Why not? You’re sweet.”

She blushed. “I think I like that. I’ll see you tonight.”

“Later. Love you.”

He was the sweet one, truly. She blew a kiss and found Salma in the kitchen preparing food. “Oh, if that’s for Julio, I made breakfast already. It’s in the oven.”

Her icy eyes darted toward Aubrey like a sword aiming to split her in two. “I eat too, ma’am.”

“I … I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to … I’m so sorry.”

All progress Aubrey made with Salma dissipated with every stupid faux pas. A few months into marriage and living with her, they were no closer to friendship. Why was she so easily offended, anyway? She knew Aubrey was still getting her sea legs. Couldn’t she give her a break?

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The new host fiddled with the POS as Aubrey walked into J. Pruett’s Grill. “Hello, Carlton. You settling in ok?”

His warm smile and caring eyes were the first things patrons saw when they entered the restaurant. A welcoming vibe was exactly what J.Pruett’s needed. “Hey, Miss Pruett. I think I’m getting the hang of it. This system is real fancy compared to what I used to use.”

She chuckled. “I’m just glad you’ve even used a system like this before.” She patted him on the shoulder. “You’ll be a pro soon. I’m sure of it. But, if you get stuck, just holler.”

Within a matter of months, Aubrey replaced nearly the entire crew. Malakai finally quit before the wedding. Then, Aleah retired, and Wilson moved. Everyone abandoned ship except her dear, faithful Keegan. Although training an entire team posed challenges, Aubrey loved the new people. They weren’t as cohesive as the Viviana’s staff yet, but they liked each other and functioned as a team. She easily found positive words to say about each person. In time, they would be a well-oiled machine like she needed them to be before moving to the next restaurant.

Dayana, the new server, needed more training, but with Keegan’s guidance and Aubrey backing him, she’d be in tip-top shape soon. His patience, however, was surprisingly thin with her. The cute, puppy dog eyes Aubrey loved to see were always so narrow when interacting with Dayana. He never behaved unkindly, but something about the new girl rubbed him the wrong way. Hopefully, it was just differences in personality and not something he hid from her.

“Those dishes have laid there all morning,” he said as Aubrey approached. “I cannot look at it any longer, but I won’t touch.”

Aubrey never saw him so frustrated. Not even in high school. “Why not?”

“She accused me of stealing tips when I only cleaned up dishes she left.”

Dayana lost all cool points and recovering would not be an easy feat. Didn’t she know Keegan was one of the kindest most trustworthy men alive? “You want me to talk to her?”

“No. She will learn.”

Aubrey giggled. “You run a tight ship, Mr. Faust! I like it.”

Making him blush was so fun. Being so pale and unable to hide a flushed face made it even more amusing.

The afternoon dragged on as small pockets of diners trickled in throughout the day. Everyone stole glances at the clock, willing the dinner rush to begin. All day, Aubrey received the same complaint: Dayana appeared sad and didn’t smile enough. She had seen it herself and assumed she was bored or eager to keep busy, praying she hadn’t inherited another problem child. Though her confidence grew with Malakai’s shenanigans, she did not look forward to confronting Dayana. Her stomach rolled at the thought, so she escaped to the patio for fresh air. As she turned to go back inside, a very special guest sashayed toward her.

“MOMMY!”

The excitement sprang from a place Aubrey didn’t know existed. She missed her family more than she let on. Tears formed and blinking them back proved difficult the longer she stood in Skyla’s embrace. Hiring people for J. Pruett’s and preparing for the new restaurant consumed more time than she imagined and left little time to visit. Getting settled in her new home and tip toeing around Salma must have stressed her more than she knew. Aubrey wasn’t an emotional person, but if she could stand there in her mother’s arms for just a while longer, everything would be ok.

“Oh, sweetness! How’s my baby?”

“I can’t believe you’re here,” she said, wiping the forming tears.

Skyla never visited J. Pruett’s. Back in Oliver’s toddler days, she didn’t want to deal with a rambunctious scamp in public. When he enrolled in school, she gave Aubrey space to grow; having both parents in the restaurant would have been overkill. 

“Are you ok sitting out here? It gets breezy when the sun goes down.”

“I’m fine.” Aubrey missed her smile so much. “So, what’s new? How’s the planning going?”

“Everything’s great! Construction is almost done, and I’ve got great resumes to follow up on.”

“Hey, Sky,” a woman behind Aubrey said. “Sorry I’m late. Oh! Is this your baby? I’m Eliana. Your mama talks about you all the time.”

“It’s nice to meet you. I’ll get out of your way and let you two talk.”

Since when did she have friends? Eliana must have been one of the scout moms because Skyla wasn’t an outgoing person. Aubrey imagined her parents missing her like crazy and consoling each other every night. Seeing Skyla with a life outside of home was nice.

Later that night, Aubrey trudged through the door with an empty stomach and heavy eyes wanting nothing more than her warm, soft bed.

Julio met her at the door still fully dressed also looking tired. He kissed her cheek and let out a satisfying sigh at her arrival.

“Mmm … I’m guessing your day was as good as mine, huh?”

He snorted. “Probably. I just got here too.”

“I’m so hungry, I can’t even cook! What’s in the fridge?”

They sauntered into the kitchen, and Julio inspected the refrigerator. “Looks like leftover eggs and toast Salma made.”

“Whatever. I’ll take it,” she said reaching for the plate he presented. “I don’t care how it tastes.”

“Whoa, really? You must be starving for real.”

“I am,” she said with her mouth full. “What kept you out so late?”

“Ummm,” he shifted in his seat, “remember that project I mentioned in the summer? About finding new acts? Well, we found them and they started tonight. I had to watch everyone and sign off on the contracts.”

Julio wasn’t a talkative man and spoke even less about his business. He always looked uncomfortable and never gave specifics. Was it a respect thing? Golden Palm Club was built initially with the Pruett fortune.

“I want to see your club sometime.” 

His eyes widened like she caught him stealing or something.

“I have a more efficient crew now. I can take some nights off.”

He squirmed and blinked rapidly. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

Her eyes narrowed, and the return of the queasy feeling gave her pause. “Why not?”

“It’s not like the lounges we went to in Greece.”

She grinned. “It’s probably better!”

“Yeah, but …”

His dancing eyes searched for something. Probably a better excuse. Why the hesitation? “It’s the people. Celebrities and uber rich types. They’re…not nice. And, they’re demanding and nasty. You won’t like it.”

“Oh. Well, when you put it like that.”

The desire to visit the club was short lived, but disappointment still arose. Aubrey assumed Julio would take her eventually, so she never considered that after three months of marriage and years of dating she still had not seen the club. A new idea perked her up, however. “Maybe you can come with me to the restaurant sometime.”

“Why?” he asked through squinted eyes.

“Don’t you think it would be fun to work together?”

Admittedly, she expected an equally excited reply, and his suspicion caught her off guard. But, the vision floating in her head was so appealing, almost nothing could wipe away her smile. She saw them working blissfully side-by-side just like her parents. 

Julio laughed. It almost sounded maniacal. “My father would roll over in his grave if he knew I worked in a restaurant.”

How could he say such a thing?! 

“I’m sorry. I don’t know why I said that. I’m-I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean it how it sounded.”

“But you meant it!” Hot pressure built up behind her eyes. “Are you ashamed of me, Julio? Can’t stand your wife coming home smelling like grease every night? Owning restaurants isn’t posh enough for you?”

He exhaled a long, heavy breath. “Aubrey … You know none of that’s true.”

“Do I?”