He waves it off, glancing up from where he's sketching something on a clipboard. "Actually, you're right on time. Can you help me move those planks out back?"

We get to work, moving piles of wooden planks, one by one. By the looks of it, I won't be needing to hit the gym this summer. This place is a wreck, and it's going to take a lot of heavy lifting to get it ready by the end of the season. I keep my head down, focusing on the repetitive rhythm of moving wood from one spot to another. Every plank feels like a step further away from the shit swirling in my head.

"So, what's the plan?" I ask, stacking another pile against the wall, muscles burning pleasantly from the work.

Nick grins, the kind of smile that tells me he's thought this through more than I've realized.

"The booths need reupholstering, the stage needs a complete overhaul, and I'm redoing the entire menu. Luckily the bar was in pretty decent condition so it didn't take much work to fix that."

He looks around the space like he's seeing something I can't—not what is, but what could be.

"I want this place to have a different feel. You know, a place where people want to be on any night of the week, not just weekends. Where they can experience a taste of Spain right here in Eden."

"Spain?"

I can see the flicker of excitement in his eyes, like he's already there in his mind.

"I spent a lot of time in the South of Spain when I was younger. It's a place where people stayed for hours, eating, drinking, and talking. I want to bring that vibe here. Only local produce, local wines, and we showcase local talent. Make it feel like this place belongs to the town."

"How'd you end up in Spain?" I ask, curiosity getting the better of me.

His expression shifts, becoming more contemplative. "Life at home wasn't easy growing up. So I did what any teenager would do and I ran. Only California didn't feel far enough so I ran to another country where I didn't know anyone and couldn't speak the language." He laughs, but there's an edge to it that I recognize—the kind of laugh that covers old wounds.

"I was a pretty messed up teenager and if it wasn't for my uncle giving me a way to get out, I don't know where I would have ended up."

I can sense the gratitude in his voice and the love he has for Alfie.

"It was a special place. I felt like I found some part of myself that I'd lost there. As time went on, I set myself up, got myself straight, learned more about the culture, cuisine and wines. Eventually I bought a house there and started a little business. But then Uncle Alfie got sick a few years back. He's the only family I have so instead of flying back and forth like I was, I packed up my life in Spain and here we are."