Page 282 of Dark Love

“I know that. But I don’t want to do it alone. So I came up with a plan.”

Teenagers and plans… that’s not concerning at all.

“You’re too young. You need to go to college.” He isn’t giving in to her.

Hope’s chin juts out as her hand goes to her hip. “You didn’t go to college. You knew what you wanted to do at my age. I’m not a child. I’ll be eighteen in just a few weeks.”

Max stares at her.

Is this going to be a father-daughter batter of wills? “What is this plan of yours?”

“When I write, I want to be surrounded by people and books.”

That sounds like fun and a challenge. “Working at a library can be fun.”

Hope shakes her head. “Authors don’t make money in the beginning.”

“You don’t need to make money,” Max interrupts.

“Yes, I do. I don’t want my father giving me money until I’m old and grey.”

“Well, I’m going to do it until the day I die. Then it will all be yours, anyway.” Max folds his arms across his chest.

Hope turns back to me. “Do you see what I have to deal with?”

A father loving and protecting his daughter. “I do. Why don’t you explain to your father why it’s so important to you that you make your own money?”

“Because I don’t want to live in your shadow like a pampered princess. I want to be a strong, independent woman like Nonna. Like my mom would have wanted me to be.”

“Hope.” Max walks over and envelops his daughter in a hug. “You’re so young.”

“What if she does an internship?” They both turn towards me. “I have a friend who runs a bakery nearby. They serve food and fun drinks. Pretty much what Hope wants to do, minus the books and writing.”

“See, Dad. It’s perfect. I’ll intern with Prue’s friend. Then when I turn eighteen, I’ll buy my own place.”

She’ll buy it?

Max doesn’t look completely convinced. “I have two terms.”

“Name them.” Hope gets that stubborn tilt of her chin from her father.

“I’ll be in charge of your security. And if you ever need any money, you come to me, not a bank or another family member.”

“But you’ll just give me the money. I want to do it on my own.”

“Fine, I’ll loan you the money. With no interest for the first five years and after that half a percent until it’s paid off.”

“Dad,” Hope whines.

“Those are my terms. Take them or leave them. I’m not letting you risk your life for a business or get into debt.”

“Fine.”

It’s too cute that she’s pouting even though she won. Max has got his hands full with her.

“Who is your friend? Do you think she’ll let me start immediately?” Hope has a one-track mind.

“Fiona runs Sweet Dreams Bakery on Willow Street.”

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