“I’ll do it,” I said, not letting myself count the reasons this was risky. “I’ll invest in your business, Peter. I want to be a silent partner.”
Peter frowned and shared a look with Carla. “I appreciate the gesture, I really do. Carla said you’re a great guy, but Fritz…we need one hundred thousand dollars to get the location, insurance, inventory.”
“I understand. That’s no problem.” I already had my phone up, researching contracts. “I need to have my lawyer help me write up some contracts that protect us both during this, but I’m interested. I want to invest in businesses that help our communityandthe earth.”
Peter blinked a few times before he tilted his head to the side. “You’re serious.”
“Yes, man.” I held out my hand. “I want to do this. I think I need to. It’s hard to explain. Once we figure out details, I want to help launch Creative Café.”
With a wild grin on his face, Peter pulled me in for a hug. Carla bounced in her seat. I felt high, like that time I ate too many shrooms abroad when I was in my teens. My soul seemed to separate from my body, and I buzzed everywhere. If this worked, I could get an income from it. A certain percentage.
What if I do this for a couple businesses and quit my job?God, the pipe dream was closer than it’d been in years, and I slapped my knee. “I’m going to set up a meeting with my lawyer, and we’ll reach out to you once we have the contracts. Can I take a copy of this?” I pointed to the plan, and he nodded so fast his glasses slid down his nose.
“Yes, take all of it. Any of it. I can’t believe…is this really happening?”
“I’ll be real with you.” I wiped a hand over my face. “This is terrifying as hell for me, but it’s the right move. We’ll have a lot of kinks to work out as we navigate this, but I’m excited. I want this.”
“That’s more passion than I’ve had with other potential investors, so I’m in. Send me the details, and I’ll be there.”
With a new spring in my step, I walked from the table toward my car. I loosened my tie, and my cheeks actually hurt from smiling. This was crazy. Investing one hundred grand. The café could totally bust too—not have enough offerings for people to want to go there, for them to not make enough profit to even out. Hell, they could choose a terrible location. There were so many reasons it could fail, yet I was stoked to try.
As I got into my car and started the drive home, my mind kept thinking about how Peter reminded me of Nora. A little odd, quirky, passionate. He had a dream and did all the things, but it was still out of reach. Nora wasalmostlike that.
She was given a choice to prove to her parents she could do it, and she wanted the easy way out, but that was before. She was different now. Enjoying her time being normal. God, I couldn’t wait to tell her about Peter. I just had to figure out how to mask it without the full truth of who I was.
I parked the Beemer in the same spot and headed inside without a sign of Nora. Her typical audiobooks blared from her door, making me smile. It caused me to water and check out my own plants to make sure they were doing well. I couldn’t have her plant babies die on my watch. She’d never forgive me.
Six weeks into this crazy ride, Nora had charmed me. She’d only have six weeks left, and while that caused a dull ache in my chest, it motivated me too. The selfish part of me wanted to find all the ways to keep her here, near me, while the competitive part wanted to show her that life without all the mansions and staff was just as good. After Imistedtwo plants, watered another, clipped two of the larger ones, and scattered the hair Nora left for me—yes, she left me a baggie of hair. I didn’t know if it was hers or not. Didn’t ask—I plopped onto the couch and got out my phone. Call me love-sick or cheesy, but I wanted to see her.
Fritz: Hey Doc, you got plans tonight?
Nora: Yes. I’m sorry! I’m working on a big presentation I need to nail. I’ll be here all night.
All night? Would she eat? Could I steal her for a quick dinner?
It wasn’t like I could head into the office. I’d risk someone calling me Anthony. I sighed, weighed my options, and tapped my fingers against my thigh. But knowing her, she’d work through dinner and not eat because she’d be so into the work.
I could bring her food. Just a quick meal, and I’d be in and out.
Fritz: Did you bring something to eat for dinner?
Nora: No, but I’ll find something here.
Fritz: I’ll bring you food.
I already was up and throwing on a pair of jeans and an old baseball tee from a charity game in college. Tossing on a Cubs hat and grabbing my wallet, I headed out and got into my car. I’d shown her pizza, Chinese, milkshakes and fries, but had she tried the best steakburgers in all the land? Doubtful.
After stopping at the drive-through, I headed toward my parent’s foundation and relaxed at the very few cars in the parking lot. Fewer cars meant fewer people who’d recognize me, and I grinned as I walked in and headed left down the hallway. Nora sat in one of the conference rooms, her laptop a few inches from her face and papers everywhere.
“This looks fun,” I said, my pulse quickening when she glanced up at me and beamed. A full-face, too many teeth showing type of smile that I wanted to see over and over. No one had ever looked at me with that much joy.
“Oh, I don’t know if I’m happier to see you or the food you have. I forgot lunch.” She got up from the table, and as she neared, I had a total freak out.
Did I kiss her? Hug her in greeting? Or did we act cool, chill, friendly here? This was her work and my family’s place, but she thought I was a chauffeur, and sweat pooled on my brow as she stepped toward me. She reached for the bag and leaned closer, her chin tilted up, and she pressed her lips against mine once, then again.
“Mm, I wish I could spend more time kissing you right now, but this table is a mess.” She bit down on her lip and gave me a shy look. I still was frozen to my spot. She hadkissedme. It wasn’t a big deal in the grand scheme of things, but it felt big. Huge, even.
“Fritz? You okay?” Her lips curved down, and I snapped out of my weird mental state. It had to be the fact I was here, with her.
