Page 32 of Snow, Ice, and Spice
“I know they mean well, but it feels a little insulting in a way. Like my own brothers don’t trust that I can take care of myself. They don’t take me seriously. No one other than Ingrid and my close friends do.”
I silently admit to myself that this is ultimately why I’m scared shitless to start my own earring business. I’ll inevitably mess something up or lose interest or something will go wrong. And my entire family will be there to roll their eyes at me or lecture me or tell me, “Told you so. Now go get a real job.”
Theo raises an eyebrow at me. “You’re serious as hell, Maya. You’re running a tight ship here at Ingrid’s. I know not to step out of line.”
I chuckle. “Thanks.”
A quiet moment passes between us. The look in Theo’s eyes turns determined. “We can do this, Maya. We can prove everyone wrong.”
I’m more determined than ever. “I’ll call Ingrid right now.”
He grins. “You will?”
“Yeah. I’ll do my best to convince her, but I can’t make any promises. This is her place and what she says goes.”
A hopeful smile tugs at Theo’s gorgeous plump lips. “Of course, I understand. I just…thank you, Maya.”
I let a small smile free. “Sure.”
Theo gets up and heads to his bedroom. I pick up my phone, pull up Ingrid’s number, and take a breath. Here goes nothing.
* * *
“I think that’s a brilliant idea!” Ingrid practically squeals on the other line.
“…You do?” I’m shocked. I thought she’d be a hard no at having a bunch of kids running around her place.
“Yes! Oh my gosh, Maya babes, this is so wonderful. This means that Theo is taking this opportunity to rehab his image seriously.”
“Yeah, I mean, that’s what it seems like.”
“And the fact that you two would work together on this is pretty freaking amazing.”
“Is it?”
“Of course it is! You two are like oil and water. You can’t stand him, so if even you believe he can pull this off, then he’s clearly on the right track. You have my full support.”
“Wow. Thanks, Ingrid.”
“Just please don’t let the kids destroy my house. Or the guest house.” She gasps. “Don’t let them in the guest house, okay? I still haven’t put away the decorations from Kiley’s bachelorette party last month.”
“Oh crap…” I trail off, remembering how we left her guest house looking like a scene straight out ofMagic Mike. “Promise the kids won’t go in there. And I promise your place will be intact.”
“Maya, you’re seriously amazing. Just a couple weeks of my cousin being around you and look what a good influence you’ve been on him. He’s volunteering with kids. Never in a million years did I ever think he’d do that.”
Pride swells in my chest even though I have no right to feel that way. This was one hundred percent Theo’s idea. I had nothing to do with it.
When I tell Ingrid those exact words, she makes a scoffing noise.
“Whether you realize it or not, you’re having an impact on Theo,” she says before saying she has to go.
“I’ve got a Zoom meeting with a company in Hong Kong. I’ll talk to you later, okay? And keep me posted on the kids’ hockey program! I wanna see how it all goes.”
I promise her that I will and we hang up. And then I head to Theo’s room to tell him the good news. Before I even knock, the door swings open.
“What’d she say?” he says, breathless with anticipation.
I grin. “She’s all for it.”
