1. Chapter One

Chapter One

Layla

"I already told you that we have this under control. Please, please stop following me around," Zane, my assistant manager, snaps at me while I continue trailing behind him.

I don't care what he says. I'm going to stick on his ass like panties stick to towels in the dryer. For as long as it takes for me to feel comfortable leaving this place for a week, I will be on his ass.

"I trust you. I do. Really," I reply, not even convincing myself.

I'm awful at this. Why can't I just go on vacation like a normal person and trust her staff to take care of things?

He stops dead in his tracks and then turns around slowly. For a second, I think he's going to scream at me in front of my entire staff.

"You trust me? That is the biggest load of garbage that I've heard all day. Bigger than the dumpster behind our building."

My jaw goes slack. "It is not. I do trust you. I just want to make sure I have everything in order, so I set you up for success. I don't want to leave behind a big mess."

He still seems skeptical of my motives, but I think he eases up a bit as the muscles in his face start to relax. I know I'm being a pest, but this is the first vacation that I've taken since I bought this restaurant three years ago. My friend Charlotte has basically forced me to go on a trip with her. She says I will run myself into an early grave if I don't learn to trust others and step away once in a while.

Judging by the annoyed look on all my managers' faces throughout the day, I think she may be right. I may have control issues.

But this place is my baby. It's everything to me. It's years of blood, sweat, and tears. All the nights that I sat in front of my computer trying to learn how to run a business instead of going out and enjoying my twenties like most of my friends.

"I'll pretend like I believe you," he tells me with a look of sympathy. "Only because I actually love you and want you to try your best to enjoy this break. You need it."

"He's not lying. You need it," Madeline, my head chef, inserts as she walks past us in the kitchen.

Zane crosses his arms across his chest like he was just proven right. He looks at me expectantly, like he's waiting for me to argue against needing this trip.

"No one asked you," I shout to Madeline.

She waves her hand in the air like she could care less about what I say, then proceeds to help her staff plate the delicate desserts in front of them. Zane clears his throat waiting for me to respond.

"Okay, fine!" I throw my hands up in the air. "I may need this trip. "

He smiles. "Yes, you do. Maybe try to get laid while you're at it. I haven't seen a member of the opposite sex near you since we first opened this place. I'm beginning to wonder if actual cobwebs are growing down there."

I gasp at him. "How dare you!"

He laughs, and then we walk back to our offices at the far end of the restaurant. As we turn the corner and walk down the quiet hallway, his words still poke at me.

"I'll have you know; I have slept with someone since I opened this restaurant."

I follow him into his office, which is directly across from mine. He takes a seat in his chair behind his desk and then smiles up at me.

"Ok. So, you've slept with one person. How long ago was it that you slept with this person?"

"I…" I stumble as I try to remember. Shit, come to think of it, did I even sleep with him, or did we just fool around?

"Exactly." Zane leans forward on his desk, his face turning more serious. "Look, I really do have all of this under control. I promise. I know it's your baby, but you have to trust me."

My shoulders slump when I see the hint of pain he's wearing with his words. It hurts him that this is such a struggle for me to let go of and give to him. It hurts me that I'm the reason for his look of pain.

"I'm sorry, Zane." I sink down into the seat opposite him. "I think part of me is terrified to leave and not be needed here."

His face turns to the side. "What do you mean? "

I've never admitted this to anyone, barely myself. But leaving this place behind for a week is making me face some harsh realities in my life.

"It's just…I'm the owner. Most owners step back and let their team take the reins once everything is running smoothly. But—I guess I'm afraid that once I step away and you guys prove you don't need me, I'll have no reason to be here all the time. I love being here with you."

"Layla Williams. You will always be needed here. You are the energy of this team. Just because we can handle a week without you doesn't mean we don't need you. I'd lose my mind if I didn't have our Sunday night bitchfest together after we close."

I chuckle as I think about our Sunday routine. At the close of the weekend, our busiest time, Zane and I get caught up on all the managerial tasks needed for the following week. It's our time together to be alone in the restaurant and vent about all the shenanigans that took place over the weekend. This is the restaurant business. Shit happens all the time that requires some major venting.

"There are many different types of owners in a restaurant. You know this. You're not in it to make a buck; you're in it because you love it. But maybe—just maybe, you can stop working so much and learn to enjoy your life too. It'll do you good," he says with concern in his eyes.

I try to hold back the tears that threaten to spill.

"I don't think I know how to be anything but the owner of this place anymore," I say as my voice cracks.

"Well, this trip is your chance to figure it out. I am putting a no-contact rule on you. I will call you if I have any questions, but you are in no way allowed to contact me unless it's an emergency or you need advice on how to give the best blowjob."

I cover my hands over my face. "Zane! You are so crass!"

He shrugs. "Nothing you didn't already know about me, darling."

"Ok. I will do my best to avoid all forms of communication with you. I'm sure Charlotte is planning on confiscating my phone anyway."

"Good. She knows how much you need this."

I don't know what I would do without Charlotte. She used to spend her summers here growing up. After her parents divorced when she was seventeen, they stopped coming, and their beautiful home remained vacant for a decade.

We lost touch after that. It wasn't until she showed up a decade later when her father had passed and left her the house.

She wasn't planning on staying here, but I guess I have my brother to thank for that. I don't know what she sees in him sometimes, but they are so happy together. And I have my best friend back!

"Well, I need to get home and pack, I guess." I stand up out of the seat.

"Girl! You leave for Italy in the morning, and you haven't started packing?" Zane says with a gasp.

"Stop judging! Baby steps here, remember?"

"You stress me out," he says as he stands and opens his arms. "Come here, give me a hug. "

I step into his arms. "Thanks for doing this."

"It's my job," he chuckles.

"I know. Still. Thanks for putting up with me."

"Get out of here. I can't wait to see pictures when you get back."

I walk into my office to grab my bags and then lock the door behind me.

Once I make it home, I go straight to my closet and pull out my large suitcase. I don't know why packing for a week in Italy feels so daunting.

Charlotte decided for us to spend an entire week in Lake Como. We're going to eat and drink our way throughout the region, maybe even take the trains to see Milan and Tuscany.

I have to admit that being a foodie, I'm super excited about this trip. I just don't know what to wear.

July in Lake Como, which is at the northern tip of Italy, will be warm enough to swim in the water. I have a couple of bikini options on my bed. I think I'll be most comfortable in sundresses, flowy clothes, and cute sandals. I can add some jewelry to fancy it up at night.

I'm terrified that I'll forget something important. I have my ID, passport, and credit card safely tucked into my purse, as well as a European outlet adapter for my cell phone charger and my curling iron.

I've actually been practicing some Italian words to use. Mainly anything that has to do with eating since that's when most of my interactions will occur .

It's almost midnight by the time I'm showered and in bed. I'm glad I didn't decide to close down the restaurant tonight. I'm already going to be a drag on the plane tomorrow.

Our plane doesn't take off until noon, but I need to be at the airport by ten, which means I need to leave here by nine. I set my alarm for seven-thirty so I can eat breakfast and make sure I have everything without being rushed.

Part of me is itching to stop at the restaurant on my way to the airport, but I know Zane will literally lose his mind.

I close my eyes and picture the mountains of Como as I start to fall into a deep sleep. This trip is going to be exactly what I need. Nothing is going to get in the way of me finding myself.