Page 7 of Now or Never

She didn’t want to get her hopes up.

“That would be great, but just in case it doesn’t happen, I’m gonna get to work on these pants. How’s work going, Nat?”

As Natalie filled them in on her new tour job, Chelsea reached for the pants and started threading the needle through the torn fabric. Hopefully, her luck was turning, and this would be the last time she’d have to repair the damn things. Maybe they’d love her property, cut her a big cheque, and she could buy a new pair of second-hand Walmart leggings.

Sigh.

two

Adam parked his rusty white construction truck across from Brin’s Café and hopped out onto the street. Main Street in Mapleton was as busy as always that afternoon. A steady stream of vehicles flowed north toward the beach, no doubt packed with coolers, beach toys, and excited children. Adam smiled and stood at the side of his truck, waiting for an opening.

He knew it wouldn’t take long before a local would come by and part the sea for him. Sure enough, a purple Jeep with the roof and doors off came down the street, under the posted limit, with country music blaring and a black BMW convertible impatiently swerving behind it. Adam smiled wide and held out his hand in a wave as the Jeep slowed to a stop and his cousin’s hand waved back.

“Oh, come on!” a faint voice shouted from the BMW.

Adam let out a laugh and jogged across the street. “Thanks, Mia!”

“No problem,” she said, taking her time easing off the brakes.

“You gotta be fucking kidding me!” the BMW guy yelled.

Adam laughed and ducked into the café as Mia flipped the guy off. He headed for the pickup counter, where he knew Dani would have his order waiting for him, passing a table with two pretty brunettes who gave him a look he knew well. Any other time, he would have stopped and said hi, but he was in too much of a hurry, so he threw up his blinders and ignored their smiling eyes.

To his surprise, his new business partner, Max, was standing at the counter, blocking his way.

Adam checked the time on the wall quickly. His day was absolutely packed. He’d spent the early morning at the bank, finalizing Max’s business loan for the pub they were purchasing, and the late morning going over the last details of Float Fest with the event coordinator he’d hired. He had three minutes to get to his dad’s office for a meeting that had been sprung on him an hour ago.

But he had to get coffee first.

And the coffee was being blocked by the big, broody Max.

He decided it would be fastest to face his friend head-on, so he slapped Max on the back and put on an overbright voice.

“Maximilian. How are we feeling?”

Max spun toward Adam, his signature scowl in place, anxiety-induced rage bubbling just below the surface of his skin. “Shitty.”

Adam rolled his eyes, leaned over the counter, and gave Dani a little wave. She rolled her eyes and got his tray. He didn’t really have time to reassure Max for the thousandth time that day that they were making a good choice, but he wasn’t one to let a friend implode alone, either.

“Look,” he said, glancing to make sure no one was around to hear. “I know it’s a lot of money—”

“It’s way too fucking much money,” Max growled, cutting him off, then scrubbing both hands over his face.

“It’s just the right amount, Max.”

“Yeah, that’s easy for you to say.”

Adam went quiet. “Don’t be a dick. I offered to fund the—”

Max cut him off with a shake of his head, his scowl slipping. “Sorry. I just . . . If this doesn’t work . . .”

“Thiswillwork. The pub is a gut-job. It’s going to be a lot of work and investment, but it’ll be the best place in town for a meal and a beer when we’re done with it. We’ve already got a world-class chef on board, and that head brewer, Will Something-or-Other from Churchill, is coming for an interview in a few weeks. We’ll get started on the demo after Float Fe—”

“After? No. We need to start now.”

Adam shook his head and glanced over the counter at Dani, who was ignoring him. God, she hated him. He cleared his throat and gave her a smile, and she reluctantly came with the tray.

“It’s only a couple weeks, Max. Then you’ll be a business owner. Master of your own destiny. All your dreams are coming true!” he said, grabbing the tray.

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