Still myself.
He studies me for a long moment, then nods slowly. "Okay. Let me make you breakfast first."
"You don't have to?—"
"Emma." His voice is firm but kind. "You need to eat."
I don't have the energy to argue.
I walk into my apartment, flipping on the lights. Images of my dad, red-faced and yelling at us, immediately flood my mind.
The thought makes me want to vomit, and I have to press my palm against my sternum to keep the emotion from spilling out.
I push that all aside. I need to check in on things, make sure I haven't missed anything critical to the business while I've been drowning in personal catastrophe.
I sink into my desk chair—the worn leather one I found at a flea market. My laptop sits closed on the desk, exactly where I left it.
Deep breath. I can do this. Just check email, respond to any urgent supplier questions, maybe review the latest batch results.
The laptop takes forever to wake up, the screen glowing to life with agonizing slowness. My email loads, the little number in the corner indicating I have forty-three unread messages.
Most are probably junk. Supplier newsletters, promotional offers, automated notifications. But I scan the sender names anyway, looking for anything important.
Then I see it.
Vance Capital Partners
My heart stops. Actually stops for a beat before slamming back to life with bruising force.
The subject line reads:Re: Essence Investment Proposal
I take a deep breath as I click it open. This is it. The response I've been waiting for. Vance said he'd have an answer early this week, and here it is, and maybe?—
Maybe I can still salvage one part of my life from the wreckage.
The email opens, and I drink in the words.
Dear Ms. Sullivan,
Thank you for taking the time to meet with our team regarding investment opportunities for Essence. We were impressed by your presentation and your clear passion for the sustainable fragrance market.
Good. That's good. Impressed. Passion. These are positive words.
My eyes skip ahead, looking for the offer amount, the terms, next steps.
However, after careful consideration of our current portfolio and strategic priorities, we have decided to pursue other investment opportunities at this time.
The words don't make sense at first. I read them again.
...decided to pursue other investment opportunities...
No.
We wish you the best of luck with Essence and your future endeavors.
Sincerely,
Lawrence Vance
