Page 40 of Tuned To Break
“What elephant?”
“The job offer. Are you going to take it?”
I set my phone down, trying to focus despite the throbbing between my legs. “I want to. But it’s a big decision.”
“What’s holding you back?” Megan asks.
“Fear, mostly. What if I can’t handle it? What if I’m not ready for that level of responsibility?”
“Stella,” Emily says firmly, “you’ve been managing my coffee shop like a pro for years. You’ve turned Doc’s around in less than two weeks. You’re more ready than you think.”
“Plus,” Megan adds, “it’s a hundred thousand dollars. That’s life-changing money.”
“It is. I could finally get a decent car, maybe even start saving for a house.”
“And you’d be working with Jake every day,” Emily points out with a grin.
“That’s part of the problem.”
“Or part of the solution. Look, I know you’re worried about mixing business with pleasure, but maybe it doesn’t have to be complicated.”
“Emily—”
“I’m serious. You know what? I’m firing you.”
I blink. “What?”
“You’re fired from The Enchanted Bean. Effective immediately.”
“Emily, you can’t?—”
“I can, and I am. Now you have no excuse not to take Arden’s offer.”
“That’s not how this works.”
“Actually, it is. I’m the boss, I can fire whoever I want. And I’m firing you because you’re too good for this place. You belong somewhere that challenges you, somewhere you can build something real.”
My phone buzzes again.
Jake
Still there? Or are you touching yourself thinking about me?
I grab it before either of them can see.
Stella
The girls are still here. Can’t exactly do that right now.
Jake
But you want to.
Stella
Yes.
Jake
