Page 134 of The Promise Of You

I’m not wondering what he’s going to offer me. I know what it is. A line of credit or something like that.

And it’s bittersweet that this is happening now that the restaurant is up for sale, but that’s to my credit. And I’m proud of it. I want this meeting, even if nothing tangible ends up coming from it because of its timing.

I take a deep cleansing breath, feeling better about myself.

“We’ll finance the purchase of the restaurant,” Scott tells me. We’re sitting in his office, on the top floor of a three-story building facing the mountains. There’s a serenity emanating from this place. The photos on the walls are of ribbon cuttings of local businesses. Jovial faces of hard-working people, not smug smiles of the powerful. They’re mixed in with children’s drawings.

No trophies. No power wall.

His smile is genuine, his hands are massive. These are the hands of generations of laborers.

“That’s… that’s fantastic news. I’ll let the owners know right away. My aunt will be thrilled. She’s antsy to sell, to tell you the truth. That’ll help tremendously in finding a buyer. Thank you so—”

“We’re financing the sale to you.”

“Wh-what?” Adrenaline course through my veins.

“We’ll need a business plan, just to keep our lending department happy—our t’s crossed and our i’s dotted. We’ve already done our due diligence on you, Ms. Sullivan, and well, while your accomplishments in the corporate world are impressive and guarantees in and of themselves, we’re actually more eager to see what you have to offer in the Northeast Kingdom and surrounding counties. We need more young people like you. Entrepreneurial. With a vision. A true work ethic. A sense of community.”

They want me to buy the restaurant? “I don’t know what to say.”

“There are a couple of conditions.”

Ok, here we go. “Of course.” It can’t hurt to hear him out.

“We feel that it’s urgent that the restaurant is renovated, at least cosmetically, before foliage starts. There’s an opportunity to capitalize on the excitement of the Local’s Pass and new ownership, but this needs to happen fast.”

“I don’t think my aunt will be amenable to spending—”

“Here’s the structure we’re thinking about. Your aunt and you sign a preliminary sales agreement now, with the condition that you obtain financing. With this agreement in hand, we can move forward with your commercial loan, and you’ll have the authority to begin renovations. We’ll immediately approve a renovation loan, since we believe this will be essential to your success.”

“Wow, that’s… you really thought of everything, haven’t you?”

“It’s what we do.” He smiles and stands up. “Coffee?” he asks as he opens the door.

“Y-yeah, sure. Thank you.”

Ohmygod. They are financing me to buy the restaurant? Shit. I can’t believe it. It’s so much more than I expected.

Okay, Chloe. Think.

Whatever he offers you, ask for double.

“So! What do you say?” Scott asks me as he sets down a tray laden with coffee, sugar, creamer, and two cups. It doesn’t escape me that he didn’t ask someone to fetch it for him. Part of it was maybe him giving me time to think things through, but most of it was him just being a down-to-earth guy.

“I think I’d love to do business with you.”

Over the next hour, we hash out the big lines of their support. We talk pricing for the restaurant, look at recent comps, address interest rates, possible costs of renovations and upgrades.

And then I ask for a super generous line of credit.

He raises an eyebrow. Did I go too far?

“I like your negotiating skills, Chloe,” he says with a smile. “Send us the Preliminary Agreement, your business plan, and let’s get this deal done.”

On my way back, I call Justin to tell him the news, then Brendan, and finally Aunt Dawn.

She seems surprised at first, then happy, then concerned. “I hope your mother won’t hate me more than she does now.”

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