Page 119 of Suck My Puck

“Absolutely. Bella dear, you have such a talent and you should share it with as many people as possible.”

I’m speechless for a long moment. Excitement bubbles up inside of me at the incredible opportunity that’s just been dropped in my lap. I have to bite back a squeal, I’m so pumped at the thought of finally having my own coffee shop.

But then the logical part of my brainchimes in.

I’d be going into business with my friend’s mom and her friends. What if they hate my vision? What if they change their minds and want to take back their money? I’d be so screwed.

A million other worst case scenarios flash in my mind.

“Amy, this is such a generous offer from you, but I don’t know if I can accept it. You’re my friend’s mom and I’m scared to blur the lines in that way. I’d hate to think how things could fall out between us if we had a disagreement or if someone changed their mind.”

I hold my breath and brace myself for her reaction.

“I completely understand your concern. I’d be worried about that too if I were you,” she says, her tone easy. “But we’d go into this professionally and totally business-minded. We’d draw up contracts and have a legal team go over everything. Everything about this would be fair to you, I promise.”

I’m quiet as I think about what she said. That makes sense. And as long as we go about this in the right way, I’d have a hard time saying no.

So maybe I shouldn’t. Maybe I should take this leap and go for it.

“Can we set up a time next week for all of us to meet and hammer out the details?” she asks. “I’m so excited about this, and I hope you are too.”

Those sparks of excitement from minutes ago fire off inside of me.

I grin so wide my cheeks hurts. “Let’s do it.”

We wrap up the conversation and say good-bye. When I walk back to the table, I’m beaming.

Braden looks at me as I sit back down. “Judging by your smile, I’m guessing you got some good news?”

“Amazing news.” I take a breath. “That was Ingrid’smom. She and her friends want me to open up my own coffee shop and they want to give me the money to do it as investors.”

His eyes go wide. “Are you serious?”

I nod excitedly. I tell him how next week I’m meeting with Amy and her friends to start planning the coffee shop.

I shake my head, dazed and giddy. “I can’t believe it. I mean, this is my dream. My whole life I wanted to own my own coffee shop, but after my breakup with Matt and losing all my savings, I thought it would never happen. But it is. It’s actually happening.”

I let out a shaky breath. Excitement and adrenaline surge through me.

Braden moves closer to me. He cups my face in his hands, beaming at me.

“I can believe it. You’re brilliant and talented and the people around you see it. I’m so, so proud of you.”

He presses a soft kiss to my lips. Warmth pools in my chest at just how happy Braden is for me in this moment.

“We should celebrate,” he says.

I stand up. “I know just what we need.”

I head over to the bar and order two glasses of Prosecco from the bartender. He steps away to grab my order. As I stand there and wait, I catch eyes across the room with Braden. He winks at me. I blow him a kiss.

“Damn. You should save a kiss for me.”

I turn and see a guy standing next to me. His slimy gaze slides to my cleavage. I glare at him. “No, thanks.”

I scoot away from him, but he follows me, pressing the side of his body against mine.

“Oh, come on. Don’t be like that. You’re hot and I wanted to say hello.”

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