“I’m fine. Why do you ask?”
“You’ve sighed like five times. And they aren’t happy sighs. They’re frustrated sighs. So, what gives?”
“I have something on my mind,” Autumn announced simply.
“Care to share?”
“I got offered this project. I think it’s going to be really cool. It’s a lesbian bar on the beach.”
“Say less. I love that for us.”
Autumn gave a laugh.
“That part of it is what draws me in for sure.”
“So, what is less attractive about the project?”
“The place itself is a complete disaster. I mean it’s going to take so much work. A complete overhaul. And the owner…”
Autumn cut herself off before she could finish the sentence. But it was too late. Piper stared at her expectantly.
“And the owner…” Piper finally prodded.
“The owner is exactly my type. Except she is also a complete disaster.”
“Well, why don’t we start there since that is most likely the source of your frustration.”
Autumn shot Piper a warning glare, which her friend shrugged off with an irritating casualness.
“What about this woman is frustrating for you?”
“She’s just so painfully optimistic about this project that isn’t going to be easy. I came in today and she’d tied balloons to every single table. She doesn’t have a bar license yet, so she served me root beer. She served it in the can, because she doesn’t have glasses yet.”
Piper set her weights down beside the weight bench. She studied Autumn carefully.
“Okay, but that actually sounds adorable.” Piper crinkled up her nose as she smiled.
“It is adorable. That’s the actual problem.”
“I don’t understand.”
“She’s an adorable disaster. But still a disaster.”
“I don’t know if what you’ve described necessarily makes her a disaster.”
Autumn heaved a sigh.
“I’m just now making a name for myself in WaterColor. My business is starting to pick up. A beachside bar of any type is a huge project. This has the potential to make or break me. Andthe woman I’m hanging my fate on is wearing board shorts and living on her best friend’s couch.”
“First of all, we’ve all stayed on a couch. Secondly, I actually think this is going to be good for you.”
“Good for me, how? If one part of this project falls through, that’s what people will remember about me.”
“Well, that’s not going to happen. You’re amazing at what you do.”
“I am. But even I might not be able to fix this.”
“Let me ask you a question,” Piper said with a grin.
