in only a few years, this son has proven he is a tremendous businessman, and will steer the Pickle Empire into the next century with enthusiasm and competence.”
He turns to the three boys, extending a hand to Anthony.
“Anthony Pickle, I entrust our franchise to you.”
Anthony’s face is pure emotion, and after accepting the handshake, he pulls his dad into a hug.
Everyone claps, including Max and Jason. I watch Jason carefully, trying to identify exactly how he feels.
The brothers shake Anthony’s hand as well, and the lawyer steps up on to the stage to draw Anthony and Sherman away to review a leather portfolio.
Jason steps down from the stage and returns to the chair beside me.
Greta reaches across the table to take his hand. “Over a one hundred percent increase?” she says. “That’s phenomenal, Jace. Really outstanding.”
“He’s back to Jason,” Grammy Alma says. “Thank God.”
Greta smiles. “Good. I never liked Jace.”
“Me neither,” Sunny says.
Grammy and the two cousins stand up to go congratulate Anthony. I lean into Jason. “You okay?”
“I always felt Anthony was the best choice.” He slides his fingers along the inside of my wrist. “We’ve got a lot on our hands in Austin already. I didn’t need to be taking over the New York deli as well.”
“Is Anthony going to split his time between Boulder and Manhattan?”
Jason shrugs. “That’s up for them to decide. He leans back in his chair. “I’m glad this is done.”
Servers bring out dinner, and the merriment of the family is apparent as everyone wanders between tables, eating salads at one spot, the entrée at another, and desserts at yet another place, mingling and talking.
I get to know Greta and Sunny better. I’m introduced to Martin and Fran, who holds a sleeping baby Caden on her shoulder.
Sherman drops beside us to let us know he’ll be visiting Austin soon to see what he can learn from our expanded operation, and help oversee the expansion, since he’s done it twice.
“I’m proud of you Jace—Jason,” he says. “I hoped this competition would bring you around, and it did.”
“Hogwash,” Grammy Alma says.
“It got him to go down to Austin, now didn’t it?” Sherman rubs his chin, seemingly perplexed at his mother’s outburst.
“The accountant’s figures got him down there,” Grammy says. “It was Nova who got him interested in his deli.”
Sherman nods. “I give. At least it worked for something. Now maybe I can retire. If only I had a grandchild to bounce on my knees.”
“Hush up,” Grammy says. “Go play with Caden and get your baby fix.”
Sherman chuckles. “I think I might.”
New guests filter in as the actual gala begins, and musicians set up on the stage.
Before long, the noise levels rise, and the band is playing. The New Year’s party is in full swing.
“Want to dance?” Jason asks.
I nod and let him draw me onto the dance floor in front of the stage. A dozen other couples sway slowly together. It’s a classical waltz, and Jason guides me smoothly across the floor.
“It was the right thing,” Jason says.
“You mean the competition?”
“Yes. I’ve been thinking…”
He trails off, and I wait for him to expand on his thoughts, but he doesn’t.
“Is everything okay?”
“What do you want to do, Nova?” he asks suddenly. “Do you see yourself running the deli even after you graduate? Are you going to want to move on?”
He misses a step in the beat, and I wait until we’ve resumed the rhythm before I answer. He really is anxious about this.
“I don’t know. I haven’t thought that far ahead.”
His hand tightens on mine as we shift out of another couple’s path. “I always had my destiny laid out for me. And I rebelled against it only to find it was exactly the right thing. But I’m open to change. I don’t have to stay in Austin. I will never be as absent of an owner as I was for a while, but I don’t have to be there.”
“Just don’t let the Susan situation ever happen again.”
“I won’t. But do you want to stay in Austin?”
I lay my head on his shoulder, letting the music move us as I think about this.
“I want to be near my sister until she graduates,” I say carefully. “That’s another eight years. I’ll be done with school in less than two, so I assume I’ll work somewhere in Austin for those six years. Are you telling me I won’t always have a manager’s job waiting for me?” My heart hammers. Now that he’s lost the competition, does he want out?