The Tuesday lunch rush is over, and we’re sitting in the staff room. Mugs of half-empty coffee are on the coffee table, along with pictures and a mood board to give him a visual of what I’m thinking of for the expansion.
None of my plans will be cheap, but Troy promised I could keep the costs down if I did some of the work myself.
I would normally have asked if Garrett could help me, but between his deadline and Peony, he won’t have time. Nor do I intend to mention it to him. If I so much as breathe Troy’s suggestion, Garrett will pull on his superhero cape and jump in to do the work. That won’t help him with his book deadline. That won’t help him be a father to Peony.
“These plans are impressive, Zara. Especially your projected numbers.” Mr. Cartwright picks up his coffee mug. “I heard you’re planning to help promote women-owned businesses in the area.”
“That’s right. I would like to include various products for sale at Picnic & Treats. Products like jellies and handmade soaps.” That would be plan A. “And I would also like to host various small events throughoutthe year. These will hopefully help increase awareness of the different products and services offered by the women-owned businesses. For example, Aria Johnson, who works as a hostess at La Brezza Ristorante, has created a line of perfumes. Maybe she would be interested in talking about how to pick a scent that works with your individual body chemistry.”
“That sounds great.” Mr. Cartwright scans the summary of my presentation in his hand. “I reviewed your lease contract and spoke with my lawyer. As it stands, you’re responsible for the cost of all renovations.”
I swallow hard, trying to squeeze air past the proposed cost wedged in my throat. I can arrange the money to do plan B, but it will be tight. If I want to do plan A, I’ll have to contribute a fair chunk of my rainy-day savings set aside for emergencies. “That’s right. But I was hoping you might be interested in taking on some of the cost, like some commercial business owners do.”
He nods, rubbing his thumb across his bottom lip, and looks down at the proposal summary again. His mouth quirks into a smile. “I figured you might ask me that, and I talked to my lawyer and my banker and my wife about it. If you do plan A, I could cover forty percent of the costs.”
With Mr. Cartwright’s offer to cover forty percent of the expense, my cost will now be in line with what I’d budgeted for with plan B. The plan that hadn’t allowed me to promote the women-owned small businesses in the area as much as I would like. Plan A will let me do so much more—especially since he will be covering forty percent of the renovation costs.
I clench my hands together to stop them from shaking with excitement. If he’s asked his lawyer and banker and wife about this…does that mean he’s leaning toward giving me the lease?
Hot excitement sweeps through me, engulfing all other emotions—fear, doubt, shock—until I’m surfing on a rainbow of hope. Hope everything will go according to plan. Hope this will be the start to the even brighter future I’d dreamed about when I’d first gotten the idea five years ago for Picnic & Treats.
“It looks like we’ve got a deal, then. Congratulations, Zara.”
“Thank you!” If I wasn’t trying to be professional about this, I’d hughim. And then rush over to his house and hug his wife. Oh, who am I kidding? I’ll probably do that anyway.
He laughs. “Don’t thank me, Zara. You did all the work. I knew from the first time I saw you sitting in my class, you were destined for great things. What you want to do for this community and what you’ve accomplished so far proves I was right.”
Picnic & Treats and being a strong voice within the local business community are Phase II of my dreams. Dreams that blossomed while Mimi was teaching me to be a great cook like she’d been. Prior to that, I’d been floundering, trying to find my true self.
In college, I loved Kenda’s drive to be a voice for those who felt they didn’t have one. It was the motivation behind everything she did. Every course she took. Every term paper she wrote. Maybe I’d had the same spark all along, but it had been buried deep, waiting for Kenda’s fire to light it.
But it wasn’t until I dreamed up Picnic & Treats that everything came together.
“I’ll call my lawyer tomorrow and get everything in motion.” Mr. Cartwright pushes to his feet. “In the meantime, consider yourself the new lease holder for next door, starting the middle of next month.” Tomorrow is the first day of the new month. May 1st. “As soon as we get everything legalized, you and Troy can start on the renovations.” He holds out his hand for me to shake. His grip is firm and warm. “And I won’t charge you for next month’s lease, ’cause this is all rather last minute. The women who bought Sabrina’s business will be packing up everything over the next two days.”
“Thank you. For everything. You always were my favorite teacher.” I flash him a grin.
He laughs, and I walk him to the main entrance of the café. As soon as he is out the door, I turn and give Keshia and Jess a big nod, a huge-ass smile spreading across my face. “He went with plan A and will be helping me with forty percent of the renovation costs.”
They squeal and rush around the counter to hug me. My vision goes blurry with happy tears. They really are my second family. Everyone working at Picnic & Treats is my second family.
The bell above the door jingles, and a group of people enter. Jess and Keshia return to the kitchen. I trail behind them as I send Troy a text.
Me: I got the lease! And plan A is on.
I type the same text to Garrett, and I don’t think about the feel of his hands on my body, when he massaged my shoulders three days ago.
The same way I spent the weekend not thinking of how my body responded to his touch. How I didn’t fantasize about how his strong, heavenly hands would feel exploring every inch of me, bringing me to orgasm.
NoNoNoNo.It was a friendly massage between friends. Nothing more.
Now, if only my body would agree with me on that.
19
GARRETT
Athena straps Peonyinto the child car seat I installed yesterday in the Explorer. “Isn’t this exciting? We’re gonna live with your daddy. And you get your own bedroom, which your daddy decorated. Just.” Athena pokes her in the stomach. Peony giggles. “For.” Another poke. More giggling. “You.”
