If this is flirting with your business partner, I’m going to need to be real careful around Corbin. Because I like the way bubbles are flowing through me right now. I like them the way I like cookies.
I almost always want more.
“Close your eyes,” I tell him.
“Really?”
“Yes, really.”
Corbin sighs but relents, shutting his eyes outside the firehouse garage door. I unzip my backpack and grab a white poster board where I’ve mocked up the name, and I slap it against the door.
“Don’t open them yet. Just picture this—it’s a Friday morning. You get up at ten a.m.”
His lips twitch in a smile. “I like where this is going.”
“You work out. You do hockey stuff. Or maybe you’re not a hockey player.”
He shudders. “Mean.”
I laugh. “You have a different job. Maybe you’re a dental hygienist and you get up at seven and you work till three. You get off work and you want…a cookie. A brownie. A toffee bar.”
“Reasonable craving.”
“Maybe you’re a firefighter and you have a hankering for a two p.m. treat.”
“I’m sensing a theme. Cravings, right?”
“And the theme is—why are so many bakeries closed in the afternoon when that’s prime sugar-craving time?”
“Preach,” he says.
I’m bouncing on my sneakered toes as I keep my hand on the sign slapped to the door. I want to share it, but I also don’t want to pressure him. I mean, he’s my lifeline. He’s making my dreams possible.
For a few seconds, doubts bombard my brain. Am I just barreling forward, my way or bust? Is this even how you partner with someone? Shoot. It’s not. You don’t say,I came up with the name, take it or leave it.
“You can say no,” I say earnestly. “I swear, I won’t be upset. We can do a whole brainstorming session.”
“Mabel, can I open my eyes now?”
“Since you asked nicely.”
He opens them, cocks his head, and reads the sign. “You were right. It’s naughty.”
I twist my fingers together. “And?”
He steps closer, inspects the name again, and looks me over. “So I can say no?”
“Of course,” I say, trying not to let on how much I hope he’ll say yes.
“I can veto this or anything else? Like, say you wanted to serve oatmeal raisin cookies.”
My nose wrinkles. “I’m feeling triggered.”
“Or if you wanted to offer gingersnaps.”
“That’s a trick question.”
“Or rice pudding.”
