Page 88 of Sweet Heat at Bayside
“You’re serious?” Her pulse quickened with the idea. “You’d move to the Cape? You know sand and designer suits don’t mix well.”
His eyes narrowed, and he shook his head. “You know I’m itching to get out of here. Let’s blaze a path together.Shift into success with Mallery and Wheeler. The perfect tagline.”
Goose bumps rose on her arms. “Mallery and Wheeler.I like it. You’re sure? Because you know I have strong opinions.”
“I wouldn’t respect you if you didn’t. Of course, we’d want to review Justine’s books, just to make certain everything’s on the up-and-up, have a partnership agreement drawn up, and that sort of thing. But I say we make this happen. Why spend our lives working for other people?”
“You know what? I’m in!” She pushed to her feet, feeling lighter than she had in weeks. She thrust out her hand and said, “To Mallery and Wheeler.”
There was a knock on the door, and they both turned as Suzanne peered into the office.
“Serena, can I see you in my office, please?”
If Serena looked half as guilty as Gavin, she was in deep trouble. But the twisting in her stomach told her she was making the right decision.
DRAKE POPPED OPEN a beer Monday evening and threw a steak on the grill behind the office. He’d spent the day working at the music store with Carey and Maddy. They worked well together, and the store was already starting to get a following of twentysomething musicians who liked to hang out there. He had no doubt that was due to Serena’s brilliant surprise and the fact that Boone had signed all sorts of paraphernalia before leaving. They’d sold out of it the same day, but people still came by to see the place where Boone Stryker had played.
His phone rang, and Serena’s name appeared on the screen. “Hey, babe.”
“Hi,” she said breathlessly. “Sorry it’s so late. I had a late meeting. I have so much to tell you. Are you sitting down? You might want to sit down for this.”
“Nope. Standing by the grill, what’s up?”
“I’m doing it. I’m buying Justine’s business! Gavin’s brother, who’s some kind of accounting wiz, looked over Shift’s books this afternoon, and we met with an attorney to draw up the offer. She’ll have it in her hands by nine tomorrow morning, but I’ve already given it to her verbally, and she said it’s good. She’s going to take it. And today Suzanne gave me a hard time about not charging enough billable hours. I will be so glad to get out from under that corporate stuff. I can’t believe it, but I’m doing it, Drake! I’m buying Shift!”
“Whoa, babe. Slow down,” he said, trying to keep up with her and tamp down the sting about how much she’d done without even communicating her decision to him first. He knew he had no business being irritated. This was her decision, her life, but he still felt left out. “That’s great news, but how did you get the money?”
“Oh my gosh. I’m so excited I forgot to tell you! Gavin and I are partnering together. Fifty-fifty, right down the middle. Mallery and Wheeler! Can you believe it? It’s perfect!”
Drake bit back a curse. “Babe, you won’t take my money, but you’ll take money from a guy you’ve known for amonth?”
“I’m nottakinghis money. We’re business partners, Drake, like you, Rick, and Dean.”
“Whom I’ve known my whole life. How do you know you can trust this guy?”
“I justknow. Why are you so upset?”
“Because I don’t want you making a mistake,” he said as he paced. “Partnering in business is complicated on so many levels. You have no idea if this guy is honest or not.”
“Actually, Ido,” she snapped. “He’s been nothing but honest with me about everything—work, life, friendships. I trust my instincts, and you should, too.”
“You’re talking about a ton of money, babe. You’re sinking twenty-five grand into this with him. Anything can happen.”
“It’s twenty-ninegrand,” she said harshly. “We have to pay for the attorney and our partnership agreement and other things. But you know what?” Her voice escalated. “I’m not arguing about this with you. You’re right, Drake.Anythingcan happen, and I’m confident somethingwonderfulwill happen. Tomorrow, after Justine officially accepts our offer, I’m giving my notice, and in two weeks I’ll be back at the Cape, withyou, and that’s pretty darn wonderful if you ask me.”
His hand curled into a fist. “You’re right, it is. But I’d feel better if I had Gavin checked out. My buddy Reggie Steele is a PI. I’ll call him tonight and get a report before you sign off on the deal. Just in case.”
“Whatever. You do what you have to do.”
“It’s foryourprotection, Serena. Not for me.”
“Is it? Or is it jealousy?”
“C’mon.This is business. I trust you. You have to know that. You’re with the guy every frigging day. You have drinks with him, sing karaoke with him. The guy brings youcookies, Serena. If I didn’t trust you, I wouldn’t still be with you. But you’re my girlfriend, and you might not be willing to take my money, but no way will I sit back and watch you possibly make the biggest mistake of your life.”
“Way to trust my instincts.”
“That’s not what I mean. Listen, if he’s on the up-and-up, then I’m all for it. But how can you know without doing your due diligence?”
