Page 77 of Desired Hearts
“Yeah. Thanks.” I pulled it toward me. “I was just telling Pia, the building is available for lease.”
She looked up. Took a bite of her muffin. Stared at me.
“Um, am I missing something?” Pia asked.
“You should do it,” Jules said to me before addressing Pia. “The last time it was for sale, Delaney considered leasing it for a hot second. To open up an art studio.”
“Oh, wow.” Pia turned to me. “I know you’ve mentioned it before, but I never thought you’d seriously consider leaving the pharmacy.”
“Only because I spent years of my life and thousands of dollars in school to become a pharmacist. And an art studio probably would share the same fate as every other business in that building. Otherwise, I’d totally have considered it for real.”
“I sense sarcasm.” Jules’s own voice was laced with it.
“Just a little.” I took a bite of my croissant.
“All of that is true, but look at Mason. He couldn’t be happier, and his entire life he wanted to be a cop.”
“True,” I said. “But I feel like you’re a big part of that equation.”
“Maybe,” Pia agreed. “What about Parker? I really think he’s serious about venturing out on his own. Something tells me this workshop will be the start of something big.”
“I think it will too. He’s really excited about it. But Parker spent four years earning a business degree that will be put to use if he does start his own home-building business. Mine, on the other hand, would be a big waste.”
“That’s one way to look at it. Another,” Jules said, “is that learning never goes to waste. The universe works in mysterious ways, leading you to a path but waiting for you to take it. Sure, it’s a complete one-eighty. But the biggest rewards in life come from the biggest leaps of faith. You’d talked about selling your own artwork and jewelry in the shop, using it as a warehouse base for an online business and running workshops, combining multiple income streams and not relying on foot traffic alone. I think it’s a perfect plan.”
Not wanting to insult her, I could say, “You would think so.” Jules was very much like me. A creative type. An idea person. But taking so many math and science courses gave me another more practical side too.
“Maybe,” I said, noncommittally.
“Why don’t you let me help with some research on the viability of such a plan?” Pia asked.
If anyone had the resources to do just that, it was Pia. While her specialty lay in hospitality, turning around failing hotels and B&Bs was the reason Mason’s father had hired her in the first place to manage Heritage Hill.
“I’d love that. But…” I didn’t want to get ahead of myself; it was important to keep things real too. “We’re just exploring. It’s a huge step and, to be honest, it scares the crap out of me just thinking about it.”
“I get it,” Jules said. “I’m over here talking a good game but teaching classes and writing stupid articles just to avoid doing the big, hard, scary thing. I’ll be the first to admit I’m a walking, talking ‘do as I say and not as I do.’”
“We’ll work on you next,” Pia promised, winking at her.
This was why I loved my girlfriends. Lifting each other up with unquestionable support. “You guys are the best.”
“And she’s not even drinking yet,” Jules teased. “Speaking of, where are we thinking to start? It might take a while to get a car in the off-season. Maybe I should put in for one now.”
“No need.” Pia finished up her coffee. “Mason is in town and will give us a ride to wherever we’re going first. I told him he couldn’t stay though. Girls’ day and all.”
“Awesome. I can’t wait to get one or two in her”—she nodded to me—“and then ply her for dirt on Parker. She’s been unusually tight-lipped about this one,” Jules said to Pia.
“She has been,” Pia agreed. “But thankfully I have all the inside dirt from Mason.”
“Did Parker say something to him?” So much for playing it cool. Things were great with Parker. Beyond great, actually. Which was exactly why I was being tight-lipped. With Makis I’d gushed about how amazing he was only to have to turn around and tuck my tail between my legs so many times, not least when we broke up. Twice.
“Maybe a little.” Pia smiled. “All good though.”
I couldn’t help it. Every part of me felt alive. I woke up earlier. Had more energy. Couldn’t wait to get the day started to see him. Even something as small as a “Good morning” text made me smile for hours.
I hadn’t wanted it at first.
Hadn’t expected it so soon after Makis.
