Page 228 of Falling for the Grumpiest Protector

"I'm not making a speech."

More laughter.

"That's what people say right before they make a speech," Emma calls.

Javier ignores her. Mostly.

"When Maddy first suggested this place, I thought she was a little crazy."

"A little?" Julian calls.

I glare at him. Everyone laughs again. Javier's mouth curves. Then his eyes find mine.

"She saw something here before I did. A way to take what we grow at the farm and what she knows about food and build something that belongs to both of us." He pauses. "To all of us, really."

His gaze moves around the patio.

"The farm taught me a long time ago that people do better when they have somewhere to belong."

The crowd quiets.

"And Maddy reminded me that sometimes belonging isn't something you find."

His eyes come back to mine.

"Sometimes it's something you build."

I swallow.

"So this place exists because of her."

"Javier."

"And because she doesn't know how to have a small idea."

Everyone laughs. I put a hand over my heart. He raises his glass.

"To Maddy."

The crowd echoes him.

"To Maddy."

My eyes sting. I lift my glass.

"To us."

Javier smiles.

"To us."

Everyone drinks.

Behind Javier, our staff takes their places beside the tall double doors leading into the restaurant. He looks at me. I nod. Together, we turn. The doors swing open. Warm light spills across the patio. For a second, everyone simply looks. Then applause breaks out.

Inside, candles glow against the tables. Fresh flowers sit beneath pendant lights, glasses shine behind the bar, and through the open kitchen pass I can see the team we've spent months training, ready for the first service.

My first instinct is to look at Javier. He's already looking at me. Of course he is. I smile. He does too.