Unconditionally (Operation FALLS Trilogy - Book 1)

Chapter 7

Wednesday approached without a word from Vince. Ty was grouchy and snappy, all of his employees had been avoiding him the last few days and Ty didn't blame them. When he was in a mood, it was best to avoid the beast.

Deep down he knew that Vince's priorities were correct. The man was spending time with his family and getting them back into a normal version of life. Ty got it, he did. He just wished that he was higher up on the priority list, in a spot that wasn't designated for friends. But that was a fantasy, especially with a macho straight friend like Vince.

Ty walked into the restaurant that sat at the bottom of the SafeHaven Solutions Tower. SafeHaven Sandwiches was only open for breakfast and lunch, it was owned by Henry's wife and Ty loved that woman's cooking. Not many people ate at the restaurant, most of the patrons worked at the company. He knew plenty of people, like Vince, came here almost every morning for coffee and breakfast sandwiches. He pushed open the door and the smells immediately made it feel like home.

As he walked in he smiled, making his way up to the counter, he didn't get far before he heard hollering.

"¡Mi Cielo! ¡Mi Cielo esta aqui!"

Ty could hear Mariana's high-pitched declaration from the kitchen. The woman at the counter rolled her eyes and smiled up at Ty.

"She's been doing that every time she hears the bell," the waitress informed him in a hushed whisper.

Ty chuckled and asked with a tilt of his head if he was allowed to move behind the counter. The waitress waved him through, right as the kitchen doors flung open. Before he had time to open his arms for a hug, the short, aging woman began hitting him with a wet dish rag.

"Mariana!" Ty shouted trying to avoid the attack.

"Too busy to see me? Too busy to bring my pollitos to visit? Tsk!" Mariana chided, clicking her tongue as she turned away muttering to herself in Spanish.

Ty felt a grin tug at his lips before he swooped in on her. He picked her up around her from behind and twirled her around the small space. She began hollering immediately cursing at him with a giggle in her voice.

"¡Bajame!"

"Only if I'm forgiven!" Ty said as he placed her on her feet with a kiss on the top of her head.

Mariana pinched his cheek, slapping his face lightly, "You are always forgiven."

Ty's chest warmed like it always did when she stood on her tiptoes and placed a kiss on his cheek right next to her hand. She was the brightest light in the world.

"You stealin' my wife?" Henry's stoic voice filled up the room, and Ty immediately backed up with his hands in the air.

"She's the one coming onto me!"

Mariana hit him in the chest before turning to Henry with a wagging finger. Ty couldn't help but chuckle as he watched the powerful man go a shade whiter. "You don't drag him here! I wait and wait and NO!"

"He's here now," Henry tried to defend, but Mariana wasn't having it.

She put a hand up to stop him and then pointed at one of the tables. "Sit! Don't scare him away before lunch is ready!" With that, she stormed back into the kitchen, once again muttering curses under her breath.

Ty watched after her, smiling widely until the doors were closed. He loved that woman and would be forever grateful for the sunshine she brought to him.