“Trust me.” I looked at him one last time. “So did I.”
FORTY-EIGHT
ANDREA
“Miss Andrea Stone?” The receptionist at Spicy Book Brews called my name.
I forced a smile, hoping this interview would be “the one” that led to a new Harrison-free job.
A new Harrison-free life.
“Our CEO is ready to talk to you, Miss.” She opened the door, ushering me into a small white room with hanging pink teacups.
A woman in an all-gray suit walked over and extended her hand.
“Such a pleasure to meet you, Andrea,” she said. “I’m Farrah. Can I call you Andrea?”
“I would love that, Farrah.” I smiled and took a seat across from her.
“Okay, so…” She clasped her hands. “I’m in love with your resume, and I totally think you’re the right type of person who can help us run our business!”
“I hope so…” I pulled out my notebook and clicked a pen. “Can you give me the details I mentioned over the phone? Current revenue and profit margins? Employees? Et cetera?”
“Well, right now, we’re raising money by selling merch through social media.” She picked up a hot pink hoodie. “We’re on track to have enough of these sold to cover this month’s rent, but my dad will totally cover the rest if we’re short.”
“Um, okay… How many romance books do you sell a day?”
“I’m not sure.” She tapped her lip. “I’ll have to count sometime.”
“Do you know how many cups of coffee you sell, then?” I asked. “Do you have a goal you want to reach?”
“Wow.” She leaned back. “You’re, like, really professional, huh?”
“Yes…”
“Right now, we’re just existing off vibes, you know? We just want to eventually be the top spot where people buy romance books and coffee, so, um, just tell us how to do that, okay?”
I shut my folder and stood to my feet. “It was nice meeting you, Farrah. I wish you the best of luck with this place.”
“Ugh! That’s it?” She scoffed. “What about helping our business?”
“This isn’t abusiness—not even close,” I said, sounding a little too much like Harrison. “This is a passion project, a fun little hobby that might have potential if you ever decide to get serious.”
“Excuse me?”
“You wasted my time by inviting me here, but I’m going to give you some solid advice that I hope you take.” I narrowed my eyes at her.
“Businesses—even the ones that are based on fun ideas and vibes—are ultimately aboutmaking money,” I said. “Every single one of them. You can’t pay your staff in merch and free coffee, because last time I checked, they can’t pay their bills with that…”
Her face paled.
“So, next time you call yourself wanting to hire someone to help you run a ‘business,’ make sure that you know exactly what that word means.”
I left the store and pulled out my phone, wanting to call Harrison and tell him all about this—to ask if maybe I was a little too harsh, but I held back.
I texted the notes and questions to myself instead.
FORTY-NINE
