I step up onto the porch, eyeing the cute white bench swing with envy. I try not to think about all the work I have to do in my apartment. Henry is contracted for the coffee shop, but I didn’t have enough money to hire him for the apartment too, so my plan is to DIY it. And bribe Skyler into helping me with the promise of more apple fries.
I ring the bell and step back from the door, hugging the purple folder to my chest. It took me nine months to finalize the business plan with countless rounds of back and forth between my tutor and I to make it what it is today. The plan is strong, I know that, but my heart kicks at my ribs like it’s a taekwondo specialist.
Footsteps sound on the other side of the door before it opens. Jarred tilts his head, his brows furrowing. “Lola?”
“Hi.” Jarred can’t be older than twenty-six but the blond beard has him looking closer to thirty. There’s a seriousness buried in his brow too, like the weight of the world is on his shoulders.
I try not to let that worry me as I take a breath, my words rushing out. “So, this is random I know, but I wanted to talk to you about a business proposition.”
“Oh.” Jarred glances at his watch and rubs his palm on the back of his neck. “I was actually just heading out.”
It’s only then I notice the suit trousers and the pristine white shirt he’s wearing. Not exactly working the orchard attire. Not exactly Pine Rock attire period. A bad feeling squirms in my stomach. I don’t know the details, but I’ve heard rumors that Felix, the youngest North brother, ran into some trouble last year. The kind of trouble that involves court dates and jail time.
Jarred has always been the most put together of the North brothers, the golden boy, but dark bags hang under his eyes and the lines of his jaw are a little too sharp. He looks tired. Bone tired.Shit. I shouldn’t have just turned up here.
I shake my head. “I’m sorry. I would have called but I didn’t have your number, and I just thought…” I trail off and take a step back. “Never mind. I’m sorry.”
“Hey, hang on,” he says as I stumble down the porch steps.
I look back at him.
“I’ve got a few minutes.” He nods at the folder I’m still clutching to my chest like a baby koala. “And you look like you came prepared.”
He leans against the wall by the bench swing and crosses his arms.
I hop back up onto the porch, ready to take this opportunity and run with it.
I can do hard things.
“Okay, so I’m happy to arrange a sit down and talk over the details but essentially I’d like to offer you the opportunity to sell your unsellable produce for a discounted rate.”
Jarred’s brows dip in confusion and he straightens up. “Lola–”
I squeeze my eyes shut and open them again. “Shit, sorry. I’m doing this wrong. I practiced this like a hundred times, I swear.”
I close my eyes and take a breath. “I’m opening a coffee shop in town and we’re going to be selling apple fries–”
“Lola, just wait a second.” Jarred holds up his hand.
I step back and try to stop the tears pooling in my eyes. I can’t believe I messed up so fast. “I should work on my pitch, huh?”
Jarred shakes his head, my rough around the edges joke met with pity. “Your pitch is fine, but I don’t own the orchard anymore.”
I drop my arms. My folder knocks against my thigh. “What?”
“We sold it a few years back.” He shakes his head. “I figured you would have known given how close your family is with Roman.”
Fingertips walk up my spine and I tighten my grip on my folder. “What does Roman have to do with anything?”
Jarred’s eyes crease, looking at me like I might be short a screw or two. “He’s who I sold the orchard to.”
My stomach drops to my feet. Jarred carries on talking, waving a hand towards the trees out back. “He lives in the old stables.”
And there goes my heart too. Splattered against the porch. I didn’t even know Roman had moved. He never told me. He bought an entire orchard, and he never told me.
I know that’s not fair. I’ve spent the last six years trying to avoid anything and everything to do with Roman. I saw him maybe twice a year and anytime my parents or Mase brought him up in conversation I changed the subject.
But still.
