I can’t help but start laughing. If the bank accepts the offer, then I’m going to be a business owner right next to my best friend. I have no interest in being in the food service industry but it seemed like such a natural fit for Maggie with her love of coffee and food. I was prepared to do my own thing but I wanted, hoped, she would jump at the chance to not only broaden her dreams a little but also give this town an infusion of new options.
The money my dad left me from selling his land combined with what I have in my savings account will give me a solid buffer to live on after the purchase and start-up costs and I’ll still be able to keep bringing income in with my remote accounting clients. But even if he hadn’t of left me that money, I know I would have found a way to make this happen. And it will be mine. Mine to succeed or fail with. I’m going to open a store that’s a combination of city and country. Clothing and home décor and it’s going to be connected to my best friend’s café.
Rain Rawlins - boutique owner and landlord. That’s who I’m going to be, not the Kingston’s girl, not Jason’s fiancée.
Almost as if my thoughts conjured one of them, Chase steps into the diner and strides to the counter. He does a quick scan of the tables and stumbles a step when he spots me. A frown blooms over his face and his feet change direction, heading my way. I keep my chin up and meet his gaze with my own as he comes to a stop next to the table. His eyes move over my hair, that frown still in place.
“You cut your hair.”
“I did.”
His hand lifts like he’s going to touch the ends of it where it brushes against my jawline but then drops back to his side. He breaks our stare, glances at Maggie and then down at the open folders on the table and that frown just gets deeper.
“You’re staying? You’re not going back to the city?”
I cock my head and cross my arms over my chest getting more than a little miffed at his attitude.
“I am.”
His jaw clenches and then he turns on his heel to stride back toward the door, forgetting whatever it was that he came in here for.
Maggie calls out, “Nice chatting with you, Chase!”
I see his back stiffen but then he’s out the door and gone.
Maggie arches a brow. “What the fuck was that?”
I shrug one shoulder and lean over the plans again.
“Whatever that was, it’s a him problem, not a me problem. I have no time for any man or his issues right now.” She snorts a laugh as I tap on the copy of the blueprints I had printed off from the sale listing. “I think we should knock this wall down…”
Maggie has the day off so we go over plans, budgets, and ideas for hours. At one point, Maggie rears back and sends a panicked look around the diner.
“Oh shit! Do you think Dolly will be upset about this? I mean, I would basically be her competition.”
I wince and glance over at the lady in question who’s currently rubbing at the small of her back. “I don’t know. I guess we should talk to her and see, right?”
Maggie nods nervously so I call Dolly over after closing the folders.
“Can you sit for a minute, Dolly? Maggie and I wanted to run something by you.”
A small smile forms on her lips as she lowers into one of the chairs.
“You want my blessing on opening up a new café?”
We both stare at her with mouths gaping open causing her to knock her head back and laugh.
“Oh girls, your faces! You should know by now that nothing happens in this diner without me knowing about it. You two have been oblivious to anything going on around you all afternoon. So, all I have to ask is, are you going to do it? Will you open up your café, Maggie?” When she hesitates, Dolly gives her a stern look. “I would be so disappointed if you didn’t, girl. It’s about time the next generation started carrying some weight in this town and served me for a change. So, answer the question. Are you going to open your café, Maggie?”
Maggie swallows and nods, whispering, “Yes, yes, I’m going to open a café and I’ll never charge you for anything, Dolly.”
Dolly chuckles, brushes her hand down Maggie’s hair then turns and bellows toward the kitchen.
“Clint! Book the transatlantic cruise. We’re going to Europe!”
Everyone in the diner looks at Dolly like she’s lost her mind but Maggie and I just beam at her. Today is a day of dreams for more than just us apparently.
Sometime later, Hetter comes in and scoops her out of the chair and plants a wet kiss on her lips.
