Champagne, Cigars & Southern Nights

The man, the legend, Brooklyn James

Brooklyn's point of view

Fuck, I say to myself as I end the call with my project manager in New Orleans. I wasn't trying to go there for another month but it looks like I need to head down next week if I'm going to make this grand opening deadline. My phone ringing pulls me from my thoughts  and the name on the screen lightens my mood. "Ladybug", I take a breath knowing this conversation will be the fresh air I need.

"Brooky". Kennedy my little sister, well little cousin but our parents raised us more like siblings and I couldn't be more thankful for that. She is one of the most important woman in my life besides my mom and sister in law.

"What's up bug?"

"I'm sorry it's last minute but do you have space so that the girls and I can come to dinner tonight?"

"Absolutely! You know you always have priority. You are one of the most important women in my life. A call or even seeing you brightens my day!"

" Aww, Brooky, look at you being all lovey dovey."

"Yea, yea. Just text me the time and how many people and I'll let the hostess and my manager know. I will make sure you are taken care of tonight."

"Okay, thank you! Love you and see you tonight."

"Love you too Bug."

Work has been my love. Ever since my father passed away I've made it my mission to leave a legacy as rich as the one he left. We lost my father to cancer when I was fifteen. It was hard, shit it was brutal. Nothing can ever prepare for that pain and no one ever tells you that the ache of missing everything about them doesn't get better. Mom lost her soulmate and we lost a father. It's been hard to see her never open that part of herself to someone else. I wish she would though, all three of us boys do.

Though I'm the middle child, I still feel like it is my duty to make sure mom is taken care of. It's a honor in itself that she leans us and allows us to step in for her. I can't imagine that it's easy when you long for your partner to be there instead. Justin has a family and is still available for mom but he can't be there like I can on short notice and Logan is just getting his life started so he needs support himself.  I need to be the best version of myself for the family, for dad, for my future.

Cooking was my father's passion outside of his family. He worked a lot to provide a very safe and stable life for us but said cooking relaxed him and it's something he and I started together from the time I could sit up. I always wanted to be with my father in the kitchen. And when he passed away he left me with a cookbook of all his recipes. Some from generations before him, some he added in and some he and I came up with together. He left  messages in the cookbook and in some of our favorite spots for me to stay passionate and let that guide my path. I hold that true to my heart and pour that into every dish and restaurant that I create. The James is much more than a restaurant. I want to bring the love I felt around the dinner table when the five us sat down together to each of my guest. I just hope that one day, I can open my heart to a masterpiece that's outside the restraints of the kitchen.

8:15 pm. It's a time I will forever remember. My manager texted to let me know that Kennedy and her party had arrived. I wrap up the emails and head downstairs. Girls at the bar near my office wearing clothing that leaves nothing to the imagination are trying to catch my attention. I nod but don't engage at all. I've never been a guy who sought out casual sex. I know, a single successful man who longs for commitment.

I shake hands and smile at guests; some family friends, some looking to be seen to move up the social ladder. But it is what happened next that I didn't realize would be the start of the best thing in my life. I swear the atmosphere shifted as I began to enter the private dining area I placed Kennedy and her guests in. As I enter the room, my eyes immediately shifted to the right and into a pair of brown eyes staring back at me. I step to hug Kennedy and see two unfamiliar faces.