《Local Flavour: Big Apple (Book 3, the Local Flavour Series)》Part 4: One Little Box
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This chapter is dedicated to @WriterOnTheIsland who named the new craft beer offerings from my fictional brewpub! And also to @Alineda who is a wonderfully supportive reader who actually wanted to make some of the recipes in my first book! Thanks to them both and to all my readers, I really appreciate each and every one of you.
Quinn sank further into the tub, trying to ease away his aches and pains. He rotated his left arm slowly, wincing as he rubbed his throbbing shoulder. He was going to have one hell of a bruise and the cut looked nasty. The bleeding stopped, but he'd have a shiny new scar to add to his collection. Years in the kitchen left his hands crisscrossed with cuts and burn marks, and he still had scars from his years as a bouncer. It'd been a while since he'd been stabbed, though. He needed to think up an excuse to explain the injury to Lucy.
I am definitely too old for this shit.
He had made the water hot and poured in a generous splash of the hotel's signature bubble bath. Organic cherry blossom, my ass. It smelled like the overpriced, designer cologne they spritzed on you in high-end department stores — if you didn't manage to duck out of the way in time.
He missed his bath products from Nova Scotia. The soap he used back home was made with local ingredients like lavender, sea kelp, honey, and oatmeal. Hell, you could eat a bar of it if you wanted. He grimaced. The hotel stuff had an overpoweringly chemical scent, skimped on bubbles and dried out his skin.
Even with the window closed, sound invaded his room — the rush of traffic blending with the buzz and roar of street noise. Halloween night in New York — he picked a great weekend to travel, he thought with a grimace.
He loved falling asleep in the perfect winter stillness of the country at night. Or in the spring with the windows open to let in the fresh air. People downloaded relaxation apps all the time with sounds of nature; he had the real thing just outside his window. There was nothing better than drifting off with Lucy in his arms, hearing the swish of the trees in the night, the chorus of tiny spring peeper frogs in the back field. Soon, he told himself. He'd be heading home soon.
He'd finally found a chef who could start immediately, but he wasn't overly excited by the hire. The young guy came highly recommended by a colleague, but the candidate was twitchy and scattered throughout the interview. Quinn was running out of options, so he decided to try him out, at least for a few days. But he wasn't completely comfortable.
He had to concede that keeping the restaurant for sentimental reasons was no longer feasible. His life was in Nova Scotia now. He had sold off his other two restaurants and only benefitted from slowing his life down. It made sense to cut this last tie. He wanted to focus on his new business partnership in Port Ross and building a life with Lucy.
He had only talked to her for a few moments that night, distracted by whether or not he should get the cut stitched. In the end, he decided to forego a trip to Emergency on Halloween night just for a scratch on his arm. He was sure the hospitals were filled with much cases than his.
Quinn wanted to be home, curled up in the barn watching horror movies with Lucy, answering the doorbell to hand out homemade treats to the few neighbourhood kids roaming the streets. He'd rather be testing the new batches of craft beer with Leon (Fog Lifter and Breakwater were particularly promising) or winter surfing with Bruce and the boys. Instead, he was stuck there for days and forced to go to some fancy black-tie event.
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He sighed, wishing he'd downed some acetaminophen when he got back to the hotel, well before his arm started to throb. Outside, he heard a smash followed by a car alarm and the unmistakable hooting of drunken idiots. The city that never sleeps, alright.
It wasn't long ago that he was routinely travelling more than 200 days out of the year. He used to love the feeling of getting lost in the chaos of downtown Tokyo, London, Paris, Lisbon, New York. Now, he just wanted to get back to Port Ross. He'd trade the clamour of city traffic for the constant thrum of the ocean any day.
Most of all, Quinn wanted to get back to a place where strangers didn't try and rip you off. He thought back to the day's events and he was again filled with rage. He shouldn't have let that little fucker go.
Cellphone pressed against his ear, he had stepped out of the cab in front of his hotel after his impromptu and very expensive detour into Tiffany's. He wasn't sure where he'd put his wallet after he paid the cab driver and was checking through his bag, distracted by the phone call with his new agent, Gavin, and the incredibly stupid thing Gavin wanted him to do.
"Tell me again why I should go to this party?" He patted himself down and was relieved to find the wallet in his inside jacket pocket.
"Because Lex Brady invited you. Everybody in the industry will be there. Lex has been trying to get a meeting with you for weeks, and anybody and their dog would give their left nut to meet him." Gavin was as blunt as his mother, the formidable M, his long-time agent who recently retired. He inherited his mother's no-nonsense approach to celebrity clients and Quinn was pleasantly surprised to find Gavin was managing to keep up with him. The apple didn't fall far from the tree.
He heard a hint of British accent in Gavin's voice, balanced with a distinctly Canadian inflection — Miranda's only son had gone to law school in Canada and now lived in Toronto. It was certainly more convenient than having his agent located in London. Since he sold his restaurant and flat, Quinn had very little reason to visit England anymore.
At that moment, Gavin's inherited stubbornness was more of an irritant than something to be admired. Like his mother, Gavin was like a dog with a bone when he felt strongly about something. "Quinn, I know you wanted to get back to Nova Scotia, but you have to go to this party. This deal is too good to pass up! I mean, when Lex Brady wants to talk, you listen!"
"First of all, it was Alex Brady back when I knew him in culinary school — when he couldn't cut it as a chef. What, like he's Lex Luthor now? Second, I don't give a rat's ass how much money he has."
"Lex who?" What Gavin made up for in diplomacy and smarts, he lacked in cultural references. "Look, he's a hyper-mega-billionaire since selling his tech company. He can call himself whatever he wants; most people call him 'sir.'"
Christ almighty. Quinn rubbed his eyes. "Good for him, that still doesn't make me want to go to his stupid party. And Lex Luthor is the villain in Superman, who doesn't know that?"
"I don't watch that show. Look, he wants to buy your catalogue. He's just acquired the Ember streaming service. He wants to turn it into all-food, all-the-time online prestige TV — think Netflix meets the Food Network. He needs content and he wants you: Everything you ever produced or starred in, including the show that made you quit TV — Canada's Worst Restaurant. Quinn, this is big."
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Quinn was suspicious. "Why me and why now? Besides, I've been on TV for years, I've done well. I don't need this guy. And anyone who wants to see old shows of mine can head over to YouTube. I don't get it."
"Look, you're known in Europe, Canada, your shows have been seen in 50 countries around the world. The only market you haven't cracked is the U.S. You're big right now, the book is a bestseller and you know there's talk of a movie. It's time to strike while the iron's hot."
Gavin's voice dropped, as if sharing a secret. "I know you've done well. But this could launch you into the stratosphere — make you an A-lister. This guy wants content, and you've got years of TV work in the can. If he wants the rights to all of your shows, at least hear him out. Who cares what his motivations are? The money would be insane. You'd never have to work again."
"I never have to work again, and I don't want to be an A-lister." Quinn had begun to pace on the sidewalk. "I've made quite a bit over the years, and invested it well, thanks to your mother. I'm fine for money."
"Quinn, if this deal goes through, no one in your family would ever have to work again."
That stopped the pacing.
His mother was heading to 70 and showed no signs of slowing down. She had a wait list for her psychology practice and worked long hours. His father was retired; they were doing fine. But with this deal, they'd be totally free. They could travel, be there more for their grandson, his little nephew, Nathan. His brother Aiden could retire from the force, and Quinn could stop worrying about him taking a bullet every time the decorated cop was out on a shift.
He sighed. "Where's this party again?"
He rooted through his leather cross-body bag to look for a notepad and pen when it happened. Out of nowhere, a punk on a scooter zipped past him, snagging the bag.
Lucy's ring was in it.
Quinn felt sharp panic, like a slap to the face. Then, the red mist of anger came down.
He took off in a full sprint. He weaved in and out of people, keeping sight of the thief's bright red beanie up ahead; the evil hipster crook.
Quinn ran faster, driven by pure rage. The thief could have his laptop, his wallet and anything else that was in his bag. But there was no goddamn way he was getting Lucy's ring.
He almost lost him a couple of times, before the punk abandoned the scooter and took a sharp left into an alley. Quinn followed. He'd started training in Muay Thai kickboxing over the past year, and the training took over. Closing in, he landed a flying front kick square in the middle of the guy's back.
The thief went flying, sprawling on the ground in a giant belly flop. Quinn's bag skidded to one side and he grabbed it. Catching his breath, he quickly checked inside to see make sure the little blue box was there. Satisfied, he turned to walk away when he felt something slam into his shoulder. He turned to see the smaller man had hit him hard. And he had a knife.
Quinn backed up to assess the threat. The guy's face was contorted into a snarl, and he was slashing at him. He easily blocked the next knife strike, knocking the small weapon out of his hand. He struck with a quick jab to the face, followed by a right cross. He put some weight behind it, and with a spray of blood, Red Hat went down.
Quinn was a big guy, but a year of intense martial arts training gave him lightning-fast reflexes and allowed him to be nimble on his feet. That, combined with his powerful build, rendered the assailant helpless in seconds.
"Stay down," Quinn growled. He picked up the small knife nearby and pocketed it. "I'll take that." He shook his head at the sorry asshole on the ground, debating whether to call the cops.
"I know you," the thief panted, rising on his elbow and wiping his bleeding mouth with the back of his hand. "You're on TV. I think you broke my jaw." He spat blood on the ground.
"You robbed me. You're lucky I can't be bothered calling the cops. Get up again and I'll break more than your jaw."
"I knew it was you the whole time. It was a prank. And you busted my face!" The guy's eyes were wild as he kept talking, almost to himself. "All I did was pull a harmless prank, and you assaulted me and broke my jaw. It's Halloween!"
Quinn turned and walked towards the sidewalk. "Yeah well, trick or treat, motherfucker."
It was only after he got back to the hotel that he realized his jacket was slashed and Red Hat had cut him. His favourite leather jacket, years old and comfortable as hell, was now ripped open at the shoulder and speckled with blood. He threw it in the trash, along with the knife. Fuck.
Quinn's bathwater had gone cold. He drained the tub and dried off, throwing on a pair of shorts. He went to the bathroom and found a first aid kit. He put antibiotic cream on the wound and bandaged it, flexing his arm. It stung, but he'd live. How the hell would he explain this to Lucy?
He snapped off the light and passed the little box sitting on the dresser, safe and sound. It was the Tiffany's signature colour — robin's egg blue, they called it at the store, elegantly wrapped with a white satin bow. He grabbed it and sat on the bed, looking at it from different angles.
One little box with a very large price tag — it cost more than the average house in Port Ross.
He examined the beautifully wrapped package, so light and delicate. Blood had been spilled over this ring, he thought. More of that fool's blood than his own, but still.
His instinct in the store was right. This was Lucy's ring. There was no other. And there was no other person for him. One day, he'd find the right moment to give it to her; the setting would have to be romantic and perfect. It would be a story they could tell their grandkids one day.
His phone pinged from across the room and he smiled when he saw the text from Lucy.
My plane gets into JFK tomorrow noon. xo
Suddenly, a very shitty week just got a whole lot better.
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The Multiple Hero Deku
This is a world where 80% of the population have a power call Quirk,And here a young boy name Izuku Midoriya was bully for being Quirkless But one day found himself inside an abandoned hospital after his friend left him behind he walk In exploring the place as he continue to look around he found a game he read the name of the game "DoReMiFa Beat" as he walk to it he accidentally tip and switch on the game when the game was on a pink hair girl and a boy with black hair see in the screen what will happen if they give Izuku the power of all the gamer rider and help him to be the greatest hero ever
8 148Midnight Falls
When you're a seventeen-year-old girl with anxiety disorder and a gorgeous, popular girl that absolutely hates your guts for who-knows-what reason bullying you whenever she gets the chance, Anna Falls has no choice but to face reality....her life sucks. But the little sparks of hope that build up her optimistic, bright soul convince her otherwise. She will always think of one thing and that there is hope in life. Maybe even a goal. It might not be visible now, but she knew that it became as clear as a bell when she ran into Luke Carter. Twice. In one day. Second time being literally into him. --"How about fifty-fifty?" I offer in ragged breaths."We could have just done this from the beginning," he replies, breathing heavily. We both chuckle.I gaze into his green eyes. "Your eyes are really beautiful," I blurt out."I know," he smirks."Are you always that egotistic?" "It depends," he answers, pushing my hair behind my ear.I smile at him. "You're welcome then.""I never said thank you.""And I said you're welcome. Are we done, Catherine Obvious?" --#3 in annoying: 11/18/2020#39 in teenagers: 01/03/2021#8 in disorder: 01/12/2021#110 in romance: 01/19/2021All media used within the cover does not belong to me, but belongs to the app Canva.
8 87Timeless Love
This is the Sequal of Pain Before Love. You will need to Read the first one to understand this one or you will be confused.This is Keyona Martinez story.******************************************Keyona is a fiesty 5ft 4inch beautiful girl. She has four brothers. They have been over protective of her whole life. Her oldest brother moved to Italy when he turned 21. After graduating college, her parents allow her to travel to Italy along with her other brothers and cousins.She thinks her trip to Italy will be full of partying, adventuring and guys. But what happens when one of those guys is the leader of the Italian Mafia.Daunte Da Luca, a hot headed, dangerous and unpredictable mafia boss. He get anything he wants with a snap of a finger. But what happens when he doesnt get the one thing he desire most with his snap of the finger.What happens when a Vacation turns into a nightmare? When the past comes back and haunts you or more yet, tries to kill you? Will someone help you or will someone die?(NOT EDITED)
8 178Match
He'd never met someone so kind and friendly, and he didn't know why it made him feel a certain way. He hated it. Hated he couldn't get away from it. Couldn't get away from her. No matter who or what was in the room, his eyes would always find hers, and he'd never settle not knowing where she was.She'd never met someone so cocky and self-centred as him. She hated the way she didn't think he paid attention to her. She hated the way he was the only boy who made her feel something she had never felt before - the presence of a strong man in her life, someone who could guide her. She hated the way he made her feel like the luckiest girl in the world and she wouldn't feel bad for it. Their eyes would always find each other's, no matter the circumstance. If it was a stupid fight, a disagreement, or just simply being away from each other, they'd always feel drawn to one another.But with all their hopes and dreams, comes the difficulties and reality of their lives. Not everything is as perfect as they may seemed.___"Willow, come back!" I heard the frantic voice of my boyfriend as he called for me. But I decided to ignore him and head straight to my favourite shop.Today was Black Friday which meant everything was hell of a lot cheaper, (it also meant I wasn't wasting any time and getting first dibs on everything I saw)."Didn't you hear me calling for you?" Theo clamped his hands down on my shoulders and spun me around, his dark hair falling over his green eyes as he panted. I could feel a smirk break out on my face as he huffed."Whatever. Just next time tell me you're going to start running so I can win. You made me look silly." He rolled his eyes like a child and I snorted, peppering his reddened cheeks with kisses to which he softened up by."I'm sorry." I said in a teasing tone and before I knew it, he was lifting up my chin with his finger and planting a firm but tender kiss down onto my lips. "I love you."
8 78Married By Chance
This book is a sequel and continuation. In order to understand it, you have to read 'Partners By Chance' first.•"I vow to always be there, to always listen and to always hold you close. I will love, honour, respect, encourage and cherish you, In sickness and health, for better or worse, through sorrow and success, for all the days my life."****After Amelia Smith and Liam Black became partners, a lot happened. Her friends and his became friends and they all formed the most amazing friendship ever and most importantly, they fell in love.Unfortunately, being an heiress to a multi-billionaire comes with responsibilities and as a result, Amelia had to make a big sacrifice.Join her on her second journey with her friends, lots of drama, parties, university life, wifey duties, more craziness and the hottest husband ever.With having to give up something that special and all that is going on, will she loose herself along the way?Or will she end up finding something so much better than what she has lost?
8 63The Cursed Prince
"You will be the mother of my children," said the man in a commanding tone. His shameless words rendered Emmelyn speechless and shocked, more so, than the kiss he landed on her lips earlier. "I need three children from you.""Eh ... wait.. what? Hold on a minute," Emmelyn, who was moved from her shock, hurriedly rubbed her lips roughly as if trying to remove the devil's marks from them. "I don't want to be your wife! I don't want to marry you, you devil!!"The man frowned and squinted his eyes menacingly. "Who said anything about marriage?"THE NEXT DAY"Let's go," said the prince."Let's go where?" Emmelyn asked, not understanding."Let's go make babies."***SYNOPSIS:The crown prince was cursed on the day he was born, that he will never be happy. What's worse, no woman could touch him without dying. Thus, finding a wife to produce an heir became the royal family's greatest challenge since the prince is the only son.Until one day.. A slave girl who tried to kill him didn't end up dying after they touched. Emmelyn was a princess from one of their colonies who vowed to avenge her family's death by killing the crown prince.. And that's how she ended up in his castle.Seeing that she was the only woman he could have sexual relationship with, without killing her, the prince made an agreement to let her go and free her kingdom from his oppression if she produced for him three heirs.Emmelyn said yes, but every day that they were together, she made plans to kill him and get her revenge.Can Emmelyn get what she wanted, or would she be entangled deeper with the enemy who was deemed as the devil incarnate himself by his enemies when she found out he was actually more of an angel?PS: The 41 chapters in this book is teaser. You can read the complete story on Webnovel. Go to my Instagram "Missrealitybites" to know more details.
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