Page 144 of Suck My Puck

We’re meeting a listing agent to check out possible spaces for my coffee shop. Last week, I met up with Ingrid’s mom and two of her friends who are interested in being investors in my coffee shop. I was bracing myself for things not to work out, for their vision to conflict with mine, for them to want to have a say in every part of the business.

But they told me they wanted me to have total control. They’re happy to put up the money for the coffee shop, and as long as I don’t go over budget, I can rent whatever space I want, in whatever neighborhood I want. I get to call the shots on the design and decor of the place, hire the staff I want, and put what I want on the menu.

After that meeting, we drew up contracts and talked to lawyers. After everything was signed, I was ready to start hunting for spaces to rent.

I couldn’t believe it. My dream was coming true.

I gaze at the exterior of this empty building, my excitement building and building. I feel like a kid on Christmas morning, waiting to open up my presents.

Braden gives my hand a gentle squeeze. “It’s okay to get your hopes up. Even if this space doesn’t work out, we’ll look at another one. We’ll find the perfect place for your coffee shop. No matter what, we’re going to make thishappen for you.”

Warmth blooms in my chest. Braden has been so supportive and excited for me. When I came home after the investor meeting and told him how well it went, he ran out and bought a bottle of champagne so we could celebrate. When we signed the contracts, he took me out for dinner at this ridiculously fancy French restaurant in Cherry Creek called Se’bon.

He’s been looking at rental listings with me online every day. He’s just as excited about this as I am.

That warmth burrows deep inside of me. It’s so consuming and overwhelming that it starts to ache.

So this is what it feels like to have a partner who truly cares about my happiness, who cheers me on through all my goals and dreams, who would give anything to help me succeed.

I never, ever thought I’d have that. But I do with Braden.

I tip-toe up and press a kiss to his lips. “You’re amazing, you know that?”

A smile that’s equal parts sweet and sexy appears on his handsome face. “So I’ve heard.”

“Thank you for coming with me today,” I say. “And for being so supportive through all this. Especially since Lucas has been on your mind.”

His smile softens. “It’s hard thinking about what he’s going through. But the team and I did all that we could do up to this point. We just have to wait.”

I think about how upset Braden was the day he got home from visiting those kids in the hospital. He told me about meeting a teenage patient named Lucas, who has leukemia. Braden said his best chance at remission is a bone marrow transplant, but no one in his family is a match. So he and his teammates decided to all become partof the bone marrow registry database to see if they’d be a match.

I think about the pain in Braden’s eyes when he told me all this. I was touched and heartbroken for him. It was amazing how he wanted to help, but we both knew what a long shot it would be for any of them to be a match.

Still though. Just the fact that he’s willing to help this kid shows what a selfless and giving person he is.

“You’re such a good person, Braden.”

The sadness fades from his eyes. He cups my face with his hand and presses a gentle kiss to my lips.

A minute later, a woman in a long wool coat and stiletto boots rounds the corner. She sees us and smiles.

“Hi, Bella?”

I walk up to her and shake her hand. “Yeah. You’re Caroline, right?”

She nods. “So great to meet you.”

I introduce her to Braden. They shake hands and Maizie runs up to her and licks the tip of her shoe.

“And that’s Maizie,” I say.

Caroline chuckles and crouches down to pet her. “Aww what a cutie!”

She stands back up and pulls a key out of her purse. “Are you ready to check this place out?”

I grin. “So ready.” She unlocks the door, holds it open for us to walk in, and tells us to look around for as long as we’d like.

I stroll along the hardwood floors and take in the space with wide eyes. It’s spacious with a high ceiling, but not huge. I could fit a half-dozen small tables in the main part of the space and put stools or a bench along the far wall for more seating. There’s a single occupancy bathroom in the corner, which is perfect for a place this size.

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