“I’m sorry. That was wrong.”
God, Natalie, there’s no reason for you to be mean right now or to shut him out. You trust him. You know this. Show him you do.
“That’s not even why.”
“Then why?”
“Have I ever told you about how much my mom loved flowers?”
“Mhm.”
“Her dream of opening a flower shop started before I knew about it, and apparently, Jerry, um, my dad, had promised her one day she could have it, but she never did. Your shop was the location they wanted. It used to be?—”
“A flower and edible arrangements store. It was there forever, and it had so many owners through the years. I know; I grew up here too.”
“Then you know how special that spot is. He said that for a while, he used to drive and just park across from the door so he could see what it had become. He said he was so happy flowers were a part of the place.”
“That’s sweet.”
“Yeah, and now, he wants to invest. He said this is the perfect opportunity because you have a few weeks to think about plans before you open the store again.”
“I can’t go into business with him. He’s your dad!”
“So? I took everything he was offering and laid it out for you there. Call a lawyer and look it over. I think it’s a great offer, and it solves some of your problems, especially getting some cash flow now, but also, being able to hire more people later on.”
This is too good to be true. “I can’t accept this.”
“Don’t answer right now, please.” He stands. “Think it over. You have his number. Give him a call.”
He walks past me towards the door, and I don’t turn. I keep my gaze locked on the papers in my hands.
“See you soon, Beauty.” He leaves, not letting me say anything else. I stay in my spot, feeling like the papers weigh a ton as I read every line and take all the information in. It’s Saturday, so it’s not like I can call anyone really to talk about this, except maybe Jerry.
I get up to grab my phone near the window sill and call him. I stare outside my window, my heart beating faster at the sight. Holden is pushing Vero on the wooden swing while they laugh together. He fits in so well with us. I would be a dummy not to see it.
“Hello?” the voice on the other line answers. It sounds just like Holden’s—eerily so.
“Hi, this is Natalie Bradshaw?”
“Hello young lady. I was awaiting your call.”
“Um, really? How so?”
“Why don’t I tell you in person? I have a feeling we have lots to talk about, and none regarding the work on the shop, right?”
“Right.”
“When can you meet?” he asks, and I still can’t believe we’re having this conversation. It’s not like we haven’t talked, but this is different.
“Does Monday work for you?”
“In the morning, I’m free. In the afternoon, I’m busy.” His dialysis. I forgot.
I don’t know if he knows I know, so I just say, “Morning is great. We can’t go to the store, so how about coffee at Ronnie’s?”
“Sounds good to me. See you then.”
While I was on the phone, Holden left, leaving the girls playing alone. Now, I have two days to read everything here, take notes, and try to figure out what on earth I am going to do.
