“Hmmmm?” It was the second morning I’d awakened to Luca’s voice, but this time I couldn’t stay all day. I had work at nine and the thought of it alone made my chest ache.
“You up?”
“A little.” I yawned, flipping over onto my back. I’d been awake but resting my eyes for the last few minutes.
“Where have you been?”
“On a run.”
“What time is it?”
“Quit your job,” he rushed out instead of answering my question.
“Huh?” I sat up in bed. “Luca, I thought we talked about this?”
“We did. I just need you to trust me on this one. I took a run to clear my head. You going back to work just isn’t sitting well with me. Not because I don’t want you to work. I do. But only because I know that’s important to you. The thing is, if I’m here, it’s my job to upgrade your entire life. Absolutely nothing is wrong with working at Baisleigh’s House, but imagine how you’d feel rocking an AP and two bracelets that cost one of your customer’s yearly salary? It just doesn’t add up.”
I hated he was making so much sense.
“So what are you suggesting, Luca?”
“You allow me to invest in your cake making business – no strings attached.”
For a few seconds, I sat in silence. I wasn’t sure what to say or how to feel. On one hand, I knew this was the opportunity I needed to finally get my business off the ground, but on the other hand it felt like I’d be falling into my vicious cycle that left me in the gutter.
“I know you’re scared. I know you’re afraid, but I can’t let you allow your past to dictate your future. I’m the real fucking deal, Ever. You won’t find another nigga like me, and I won’t do shit to make you search, either. I’m locked in. I need you to understand that. I’m a fucking boss, baby. Nepotism makes you a boss by association.”
“I’ve always imagined myself driving one of those Mercedes vans wrapped with my cake business info covering every side of it. And, inside, it would be built out to withstand long drives with cakes onboard. Do you know how many people ruin their cakes before they even make it to their home? Then, all of that money is gone to waste.”
“What else have you imagined, Ever?”
“A space to call my own. Somewhere with a big kitchen, several ovens, and so much counter space, it makes the average person sick to their stomach. All the machines and technology the big cake makers have would line the walls and there would be a room for my girls so that they can feel at home on those days I’m working long hours.”
“Anything else?”
“I haven’t thought any further about it.”
“Then it’s time you start.”
“I’m terribly scared, Luca.”
“Trust me,” he finalized. “Join me in the kitchen in about thirty minutes. Just as you are. I need to shower.”
“What will I tell Baisleigh? She’s expecting me this morning. I can’t let her down.”
“I hit her up yesterday. I already knew you weren’t going back,” he tossed over his shoulder as he made his way into the bathroom.
“LUCA! Seriously!” I chastised.
“She agreed. She was expecting the call.” He shrugged, remaining too calm for my liking.
But as soon as he turned the corner, a smile curved the corners of my lips as I sat against the headboard. I grabbed a pillow from his side of the bed and screamed into it. This couldn’t be my life.Couldn’t be.
As Luca had requested, I met him in the kitchen thirty minutes later, but not without the laptop that I’d taken fromhis office. I’d used the desktop computer until my time was up, too invested in my google searches and google doc full of ideas, products, pricing, and potential business names.
“Turkey bacon or turkey sausage?”
“Bacon,” I responded, lifting one hand in the air for Luca’s assistance.
