“Maggie, you can’t just quit your job,” I tell her.
“Why not? You did.”
“That’s different. That’s me.”
She leans forward. “How is it different? We’re both miserable in careers we don’t want. We’re both trying to figure out who we are outside of other people’s expectations. We’re both looking for something that makes us happy.” She gestures to the folder. “This could work. Really work. You have the marketing background to brand it, promote it, and build it up. I have the business sense to manage the finances, negotiate with suppliers, and handle the legal stuff. Together, we could make this amazing.”
“What about Mom and Dad? They’ll lose their minds if you quit.”
“Let them.” Her voice is hard now. “I’m done living my life for them. I’m done being the perfect daughter who does everything right and is miserable the entire time.” She softens. “Sloane, you walking out on Thanksgiving ... that was the bravest thing I’ve ever seen. And it made me realize I need to do the same thing. I need to choose myself.”
My eyes sting with tears. “You really want to do this?”
“I really want to do this,” she tells me.
Riley, who’s been quietly observing this entire exchange, suddenly speaks up. “Can I get in on this?”
We both turn to stare at her.
“What?” she says, seeing our shocked expressions. “I’m a graphic designer. I can work from anywhere. And you’re going to need branding, marketing materials, a website, social media presence.” She grins. “Plus, someone needs to make sure you two don’t kill each other when you’re business partners.”
“Riley, you love Denver,” I protest.
“I think talking with you about looking inside and working out what you really want out of life has made me look inward myself. And it has me reevaluating things. I’m sick of the city. I’m sick of the noise and the traffic and the pretentious tech bros at every coffee shop. A cute mountain town sounds perfect.” She steals a cookie from the plate Maggie brought. “Also, Everett has been texting me. A lot. So, there’s that.”
“Everett? Jax’s brother Everett?”
“The very same. He’s funny. And hot. Very hot. And cocky. You know that’s my kryptonite.” She waggles her eyebrows.
I look between them. My sister. My best friend. Both looking at me with excitement, hope, and determination.
“This is insane,” I say.
“Completely,” Maggie agrees.
“Absolutely bonkers,” Riley adds.
“We don’t have enough money.”
“We’ll figure it out,” Maggie says. “I have savings. As do you. Riley has her freelance income. We can get a small business loan for the rest. I already talked to a banker.”
“You talked to a banker?”
“I told you. I’m thorough.” She pulls out more papers. “Here’s what we’d need. Here’s what we have. Here’s the gap. It’s doable, Sloane. Really doable.”
“Would this not be weird for me to just show up and buy a business in his hometown?” I ask them.
“This isn’t about him,” Maggie interrupts gently. “It’s a bonus for you that he’s there. But this is about you. About me. About Riley. Building something that is ours.”
Riley nods. “She’s right. You can’t make this decision based on a guy. Make it based on the business. Because I’m all in, girl.”
I look at the folder, all the research, and at the photos of the shop still pulled up on my laptop. At the possibility of something that’s entirely mine.
“This is all … can we think about it?” I ask.
“Of course,” Maggie says. “Take your time. But, Sloane? Don’t take too long. Someone else could snap this up. It’s a great investment.”
After she leaves, Riley and I look at each other and burst out laughing.
