"Good girl. I'll see you at six-thirty."
The rest of the afternoon flies by. By the time I close up, I'm exhausted but happy.
Tyler shows up exactly on time with Thai food again and that smile that makes my knees weak.
"You really like Thai food," I observe as we settle on my couch.
"I really like making you happy. And Thai food makes you happy."
"You make me happy."
"Good. That's the goal." He opens the containers. "Eat. Then we're going to talk about something important."
My stomach flips. "What?"
"Your business. Specifically, you undervaluing yourself and your work."
"Tyler—"
"Nope. We're talking about this. Because watching you give discounts to everyone who asks is killing me. You work too hard to give your profits away."
"I'm just being nice?—"
"You can be nice and still charge what you're worth. In fact, charging appropriately is respecting yourself and your business." He hands me a container of pad see ew. "When's the last time you raised your prices?"
"Um. Never?"
"Never? You've been open for two years and never raised prices?"
"I didn't want to lose customers."
"Sweetheart. Your coffee is better than Starbucks. Your pastries are homemade. Your atmosphere is cozy and welcoming. People will pay for quality. You are barely charging for the ingredients in your pastries, let alone the time and effort you put into making them." His voice softens. "But you have to believe you're worth it first."
"What if I raise prices and everyone leaves?"
"They won't. And if a few people do, you'll make up for it with the customers who value what you offer." He sets down his food and pulls me close. "You deserve to be compensated fairly for your time and skill. Say it."
"Tyler—"
"Say it, Chloe. Tell me you deserve to be paid what you're worth."
"I... I deserve to be paid what I'm worth."
"Again. Like you believe it."
"I deserve to be paid what I'm worth."
"Good girl. Now we're going to look at your pricing together. Figure out what's fair and sustainable. And you're going to implement the changes next week."
"What if I can't do it?"
"Then I'll help you. I'll be there when you announce it. I'll remind you that you're worth it every time you doubt yourself." His hand cups my face. "You're not alone in this anymore, sweetheart. You have me. Let me help you build the life and business you deserve."
I'm full-on crying now. Happy tears mixed with relieved tears mixed with overwhelmed tears.
"Thank you," I whisper. "For seeing me. For believing in me when I don't believe in myself."
"Always. That's what Daddies do." He kisses my forehead. "Now eat. Then we're going to cuddle and watch something ridiculous and you're going to let yourself be little for a while."
