Page 22 of Bloom and Burn
“I know. I’m a genius,” she boasts jokingly, dramatically flicking long curls off her shoulder like she’s the star of a shampoo commercial.
I open the container and pop the smallest brownie piece inside my mouth. It’s pretty good with its gooey center, chocolate chips and nuts. “Spit it out already then. What do you want?”
Jack snatches a piece, too. “We were hoping you could help us convince your parents to sell?” His puppy eyes almost do me in. They are such a contrast to his wolf-like hunger from yesterday.
“Ah, she turned you down as I expected, didn’t she? I told you this was going to happen.”
“You did, and I didn’t listen. I apologize.” He even bows his head.
“So the brownies are the bribe then. To get me to help you?”
“You can have my brother, too,” Emily jumps in. “If you want him. He’s a half-decent cook, actually. He can also clean, do laundry, gardening, stuff around the house. Oh, and he’s also sexy and loaded.”
I snort, I can’t help it. These siblings will be the end of me, in the best way possible. “This is a very tempting offer, really. But I’m not sure I can be of much help even if I spoke to my parents… They are very stubborn, and mom… well, she’s still trying to run the show even though the Blooming Orchid is officially mine now.”
Jack’s gaze turns sympathetic. I think he gets it. A single chat with my mom is usually enough so people can tell what sort of a person she is. Her way is the right and only way for her, and getting her to stray from it is a challenge that even I haven’t fully tackled yet.
But this is my chance. Jack and Emily might be my solution, I truly believe this. We just need more than simple words. We need something tangible that can show her and dad I am serious about the Orchid. That I want to succeed and expand, and that my ideas—albeit too progressive for their traditionalist brains—can actually benefit the business and allow it to reach the next level.
“Maybe… I can look around town and pinpoint a few suitable locations for the move,” I suggest, a plan forming inside my head. “Like, where foot traffic is better and the property prices aren’t astronomically high. I’m sure that if we explained the situation, the nearby businesses would be willing to share their sales data with us.”
Jack claps his hands. “I like this. We’ll use real numbers to build up a case.”
Emily nods in agreement. “I agree. If we compare the actual sales data between say, one shop with a central spot and one which is a bit out of the way like the Blooming Orchid is, the results will clearly show the correlation between sales and location.”
This could work, I think. My parents are stubborn mules, but when you present undisputable evidence, even they won’t be able to rebut it. I hope.
“Okay. I can’t guarantee this will convince them, but it’s worth a try.” Plus, it will greatly help me figure out what my options are in terms of pushing the Orchid’s success. It’s doing fine as is, but—I throw Jack a subtle sideways glance—why settle for fine when you can aim for amazing?
I hold in a scoff. God, this was cheesy even for me. But it’s true. Jack keeps impressing me every time we see each other, and that’s not counting the way my body catches fire whenever he’s nearby.
The siblings give each other a look, then nod in unison. “We can do Sunday. If you are free,” Emily says, channeling the same kind of irresistible puppy eyes at me as the ones that make it hard to say no to Jack. I wonder if it’s genetic.
“I’ll pencil you in,” I reply, closing the brownie container and holding it to my chest. “Those were some amazing brownies.”
She cheers, punching the air with her hand. “You owe me a hundred bucks, Jack. I told you this would work.”
A phone notification interrupts whatever Jack is about to say, bringing a slight frown to his face. “Em, they need us in Portland. Something to do with some big event JE’s been invited to…” His eyes flick to me, pretty and full of excitement. “I’m looking forward to our reconnaissance mission this weekend.”
“I’ll talk to mom when I get the chance and keep you posted,” I promise.
They wish me a busy day. Jack peers at me like he wants to say something… or do something, but in the end, he just smiles cutely and follows his sister out of my shop. I watch them enter his black SUV, wondering as they disappear down the road how to approach my mom. I don’t hold hope it will work, but it can’t hurt to try. And if it doesn’t work, I’ll just have to get her that data with Jack and Emily’s help, and she won’t be able to simply dismiss me.
She might be more experienced than me, but that doesn’t mean I am wrong. I am taking this seriously because it has always been my dream to run the Orchid. I want it to do well—no, I want it to do even better than well. To expand and turn into a brand that’s recognized not only in Estacada, but across the entire country. And to do that, I need to change things up, whether she likes it or not.
9
Ryan
IopentheBloomingOrchid for a few hours on Sunday. The Kellers had a thing pop up in the morning, so we moved our outing to noon. This will still give us plenty of time, but instead of going for lunch at Bo’s, we’ll do an early dinner.
Just as I get in my pickup to head home and get ready, Jack sends me a text. It’s a picture of him making a funny face during a meeting.
Me:I can relate.
Jack:Ugh, I hate this corporate BS. Can’t believe we had to push back our recon mission coz of this.
Me:Emily said it’s important for your company. So you must endure. Good job so far.
