“Well, in that case, let me get my very best stemware.”
Zoe set her plate on the counter and grabbed two plastic cups while Elba pulled the large thermos out of the other bag.
“Do you serve cocktails at the cafe?” Zoe asked.
Elba shook her head. “I was putting the paperwork together for a beer and wine license, but I’m waiting until the hole is done.”
“Why?” Zoe took the cup Elba held out to her.
“I have to submit a floor plan and it’s easier to do that once than it is to file and then resubmit.”
“Shit. I’m sorry. You should have said something.” Guilt that she’d delayed her friend’s expansion goals landed in her stomach like sour milk.
“What are you sorry for?” Elba indicated over her shoulder with a thumb. “I figured as soon as I told you all the ideas I have, you’d have at least thirteen lists made.”
Zoe took a bite of quiche. “What do you have planned?”
“I was going to wait until you’d had a chance to settle in, but since you asked… The first thing I want to do is expand into dinner service, but it means hiring another chef. Then, I want to partner with local wineries to do a monthly menu tasting paired with their locally produced wine. Advertise it as very exclusive and then have bottles of their wine available at the cafe. I also want to do a monthly wine and books event. Kind of like a book club, but where you invite authors to come in and meet their readers in a relaxed setting. Again, intimate and exclusive.
Zoe tried to blink away the sting in her eyes.
“What?” Elba sat up straight in her chair. “Is it too much? We don’t have to do the book thing if you have other ideas.”
“No.” She shook her head. “I love it. It’s just— After everything that’s happened over the past nine months, it’s fan-freaking-tastic to finally talk to someone that gets it and doesn’t think I’m crazy.”
“Oh, honey.” Elba set her plate down and pulled Zoe into another hug. “Of course I think you’re crazy. But I also think you’re passionate and determined and can accomplish anything you set your mind to.”
Zoe took comfort from her friend’s easy affection. “I don’t know what I’m going to do if this fails.”
“Hey.” She pushed her away and gripped her shoulders. “This is not going to fail. It’s an awesome idea and I saw your business plan. It’s genius. Plus, you have a list.”
Zoe laughed. “It’s easier to visualize when there’s a list.”
“I know.” She patted her shoulder and let her go. “I’m a little surprised you only have two up on the wall.”
“I have another one ready to put up in the office. And one in my planner. And a calendar with a separate timeline.”
She wiped away a tear she blamed on stress. If she admitted to anything else, the fear and uncertainty she’d so far managed to hold at bay might paralyze her.
Switching topics, she asked, “When do I get to meet my goddaughter again? The last time I saw her she couldn’t even walk.”
“Come by the café this weekend for lunch. She’s started helping out for a few hours to earn some money.”
Zoe sipped her drink. “Isn’t that against child labor laws?”
“Possibly, but there aren’t enough chimneys in North Carolina for her sweep so it was either putting her out to beg or putting her to work bussing tables.” Elba grinned. “She asked to earn some money. I told her if she helped out in the café she could keep the tips.”
“What does she need money for?” Zoe leaned against the counter.
“The Model U.N. club at her school is trying to raise money for a trip to New York to visit the actual U.N.”
Zoe lowered her glass. “U.N. as in United Nations?”
“Yup.” Elba over-pronounced thep.
“In North Carolina?”
“Yup. Guess whose idea it was to start the club?”
