Page 2 of Hidden Hearts

Change can’t come soon enough.

“Next time Dominic Stone calls, put him through. He’s interested in renting one of my commercial properties,” Mike says as he stops beside me, looking over my shoulder to study the pattern created by the needles. His micromanaging has improved over the years, and truthfully, he gives me more leniency than the other embroiderer, Tony, but his hovering still makes me nervous.

“Will do!” I chirp, hoping he returns to his office soon.

Mike has a lot of different business ventures, so I field a fair share of calls about available rentals. A while back, I thought he might include me in his other businesses as an official personal assistant, since a lot of my duties revolve around helping him as CEO. While not my dream job, at least it would have been different enough to keep my interest.

But it’s never come up, and if I’m honest, I don’t want to get more entrenched here than I already am. It’s going to be hard enough to quit. Something I’m still working up the courage to do.

Not because I’m second-guessing my decision, but because I hate letting people down.

Mike gave me a chance after college, and despite my issues with his managing style and the job, there’s still a sense of loyalty to him and Design Time. Which makes my choice to leave feel more personal than it should be.

It’s just business, I remind myself. You have to do what’s best for you.

Easier said than done.

CHAPTER TWO

DOMINIC STONE

Hanging up the phone, I loosen the tie around my neck and add a meeting with Mike Jones to my calendar along with a note to mention his belligerent assistant. He needs to teach her how to properly handle clients rather than interrogating callers—unless he wants to lose potential business opportunities.

Mike and I met last week at a Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting on Main Street for the official rebranding of Buttercream Dreams and Brewed into one combined bakery and coffee shop called Crossing’s Cups & Cakes. Soon Stone Precision will join the chamber now that I feel confident enough to lease an office space due to our improved financial situation.

It was just my luck that Mike owned a couple of buildings offering a prime location for businesses. A month of searching and a networking opportunity later, I’m hoping this is the right office space for us.

My consulting company has been operating from home through video conferences and emails, but it’s time for us to have a physical, professional place to meet clients who’d like that option. People trust a company more when they have roots, which I intend to plant here in this small mountain town.

It may sound old-fashioned with the surge of remote business these days, but it’s been my dream for so long, I’m not going to give it up now.

However, nothing I’ve looked at has met my standards.

Suitor’s Crossing is a pretty town that offers a lot of opportunity for growth—to become a respected member of the community instead of lost in the sea of people in one of the larger surrounding cities. While the majority of Stone Precision’s clients come from Seattle or Everton, our largest lives here. He’s the reason I even knew about Suitor’s Crossing and decided it was the perfect spot to build my home base.

Tapping the speakerphone button, I call my business partner, Matt, to give him an update about our possible new office space.

“Hey, Dom! What’s up?” His cheerful voice rings through the phone, showcasing his perpetual positive outlook—which I need as a blunt realist.

“I thought you’d like to know that I’m meeting someone Thursday about leasing an office space.” Turning my attention to the screen in front of me, I exit out of the rental description and move on to answering emails while we talk.

With a few potential clients lined up to help reduce the extra cost of leasing a space, the transition from fully remote to working from an office should be as smooth as possible.

Our business model is simple. I confirm the details and build a solid plan forward, then pass the information to Matt who goes in and presents our suggestions for a business’s growth. He’s the personality of the company. Smooth-talking and outgoing while I handle most of the research and internal decisions.

“That’s awesome, man! I hope this one works out. I’m ready to convert my current office space into that gym I’ve been wanting.”

Of course, that’s what concerns him the most.

Matt and I met in college, and through his persistence, we became friends then business partners. But sometimes I wonder how we work so well together since we’re completely different.

“And we can start meeting clients in person, in addition to you flying out to see them,” I remind him. The travel suits his transient nature compared to my preference for a stable living situation. I like routine. Jetting off to a different city every week doesn’t suit me.

“Ha! That, too,” he agrees. “Listen, I should go. I’m about to board a flight to Philly for this Hillburg deal. I’ll talk to you later!”

“Good luck, and don’t forget there’s an updated brief in your email.” We hang up, and I continue working—almost… happy.

An unfamiliar occurrence lately.

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