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THEY WERE ONLY A COUPLE of weeks until The Bear was set to officially open. And there was still so much to do. The whole restaurant still needed all of the finishing touches done, as well as the main gas line and training up all the brand new hires. But now they were so close to it all. And the final product was so close in sight.
And, now Richie was also back.
He entered the restaurant from the front entrance. Wearing an all black suit. A massive contrast to what he would normally wear to work; some color of The Original Beef t-shirt with some colorful track pants and trainers. This version of him, looked like a brand new person. He had even cut his hair slightly and neatened his stubble.
As he entered, his eyes landed right on Carmy. Who was standing there, just looking at the plans, before he noticed Richie. Then he turned to watch the older man. His eyes scanning Richie's brand new attire.
And although there was no judgement or animosity in his eyes, Richie was quick to jump to defence.
"Okay, let me say one thing before you start laughing at me..." Richie walked over.
Carmy shook his head, "I don't hear anybody laughing, G," He assured him. Still trying to wrap his head around how different Richie looked. And not just looked. But the whole atmosphere around him seemed to have shifted.
Richie let out a sigh and placed his hand on Carmy's shoulder, "I get it," He announced.
Carmy couldn't fight the smile off of his face. He slapped Richie's back affectionately, "Eleven Madison Dickhead."
Richie scoffed, "All right," He then turned to look at the plans, taking his hand off of Carmy's shoulder, "A hundred and six miles to Chicago."
Carmy chuckled, "Full tank of gas."
"Half a pack of cigarettes."
"It's dark. We're wearin' sunglasses."
"Hit it."
Carmy grinned.
His whole face lighting up.
He patted Richie's back one more time before turning around and heading back into the kitchen.
"You all right?" Kitty asked, nudging Sugar's shoulder.
The blonde had been staring at the calendar for quite a while now. Kitty had time to go catch up with Marcus (who was back from Copenhagen now), she spoke to Sydney, slapped the back of Neil's head when she walked past him and heard him giggling to himself (about the fact that he knew something about her that no one else in the restaurant did) and then made her round all the way back to Sugar and she was still just standing there. Her eyes refusing to leave the calendar.
