Page 23 of Strictly Business : A Lesbian Romance

---

letdown.

“Actually,” Adriana cut in, her voice bright with hope, “tonight there

was someone from one of the businesses who sponsored the function who

gave a speech. She worked for some venture capitalist group. I remember it

because I remember thinking that I had no idea what that was. I literally

looked it up when I had a ten-minute break before clean up and take down.”

“They lend money?” Taylor was done trying to tamp down her

excitement. She could literally feel it ballooning in her chest.

“Amongst other things. They lend money to start-up businesses. They

also get investments from rich people or something and make that money

work by investing it in other higher risk things that the banks won’t lend to.

Or something. I don’t know. It’s confusing.”

Taylor didn’t hear the doubt in Adriana’s voice. All she heard was the

promise. “Oh my god, Adriana, you’re amazing. You’ve saved my butt a

thousand times already. I’m sorry about tonight. I really am. I’m sorry that I

embarrassed you by getting fired on my first night at work.”

“It wasn’t embarrassing for me. I was pissed off that they did that to

you.”

“Could you— do you remember the name of that company?”

“Yes! I think so. I’ll look it up and text it to you as soon as I know that

I’m right. There might be more than one place here that does lending. I can

do some research tomorrow if you want to start putting a proposal

together.”

“Really? That would be— seriously?”

“Yes! For sure! It sounds like a really good idea. It’s unique, and I think

that gives it a lot of merit. And it’s you, and I know that we haven’t been

friends very long, but I do know that you’re crazy talented and smart and

anything you want to do, you’d be amazing at.”

“Thank you.” Taylor blinked away the sting of tears. How had she been

lucky enough to find such good friends? She might not have been overly

---