And personal.
“You want to do something like this on top of the other conversation we had earlier?The one about the add-on for my events?”
He nodded.“Yes,” he said.“I was realizing as I was listening to Charlotte that I didn’t just want to partner with you on a superficial level.I wanted…more.”
“I’m listening.”
“The thing I’ve noticed, being around you and other event planners, is that one of the things that’s the most fickle in planning, generally, is the caterer.I wanted to give you more than just my consulting and my brainstorming power.I wanted to give you reassurance that no matter what happens to you, you have a caterer.”
“Which is a wonderful thing,” she said.
“But,” he said, “that would require you to know all of my scheduled availability and all of the time I’d have.It would be a simple step beyond, especially at the beginning of your business, to serve as my back end on these events.So, what do you say?Would you partner with me on this…deeper level?”
And as the words left his mouth, he hoped she’d answer him, that she wouldn’t leave him hanging.
He wanted her.He needed her.
And he hoped she’d take that step.
*
Oh wow.
Naomi hadn’t expected this, not in a billion years.
Jason was offering her an exclusive on his catering services in exchange for managing his appointment books as she grew her business.Which, in essence, meant she’d manage her business as well as his.If it was anybody else, it was concerning, daunting.
But like so many situations she’d found herself in as of late, the answer that diffused the nerves and the tension was, ‘but it’s Jason.’
Jason, who knew her, who had already offered to brainstorm with her about the autumn festival, who had spent days of his own time, postponing his own business to help her save her cousin’s wedding.
And, he’d offered to literally roll up his sleeves and help in the kitchen.Something he’d vehemently been against…all because Abe wouldn’t cater the wedding without him.
Jason who she loved.
But Jason also had faith in what she was doing; he’d scraped her off the floor a few times since he’d come back, and even before he left.
Which meant she owed him.Big time.
But something was bothering her.
What?
And then she realized what it was.
Expansion.
Two people who were putting brand-new businesses together, working together.Both of them sharing resources at the beginning, what would happen if the businesses expanded beyond their capacity?It wouldn’t hurt to ask.To find out.
“If I agreed, to your plan,” she started, “when our business grow to the point where the books became overwhelming, could we, or I, hire someone to consult and take care of the appointment books?”
“I love that idea,” he said.“I love the idea that you’re thinking positively about expansion and how we’re going to grow together.”
“That’s the planner in me,” she said, taking his outstretched hand in hers.
“So… is it a yes?Do you want to take this ride with me, be a business partner on a deeper level?”
Did she want to?Could she let someone else do it?
