Page 19 of Second Chances
"Can't you see?" she responded. "I wanted to show them. Come back and show them how Billie-Jo Bunkman had succeeded in life, how I was better than them."
"And did you? I mean, Char, that doesn't really sound like you."
Charlotte sighed and pulled up in front of a construction site on the main street. "No. The funniest thing happened, I decided that I just didn't care anymore. That, and nobody in this town knows who I am. Charlotte O’Hare is just another rich ski bunny with the biggest house on the hill."
"How is it possible that nobody recognizes you?"
“I guess I'm a far cry from the girl in the dirty ripped coat. That and I only come here a couple times a year, and then I usually just heli-ski with clients, so I really don't run into anybody in town."
"If I didn't know better, I'd say it sounds like you’re avoiding it."
"You're right. That was another life, one that I'd rather forget all about."
"Well, I'm proud of you Charlotte. I always knew that you were incredible, but to see where you came from makes your accomplishments that more monumental."
Charlotte smiled and pulled the folio of plans from the back seat and slapped them on Megan’s lap. "Are you ready for your first day on the job?"
"Wait, what?" Megan gripped the handle of the folio.
Charlotte pointed to the construction site. "This is the future home of Chance Rapid’s first coffee shop."
"Aren't you coming in with me?" Megan's eyes were wide as she took in the fenced-in, semi-completed building.
"That's the thing, Meg. I don't want anyone to recognize me."
"So, what? You want me to pretend that I'm you?"
"Zeesh. I'm not a lunatic. That sounds crazy."
Megan breathed a sigh of relief, "It does."
"No, you're going to be you, Megan, and I don't need you to lie, but if people happen to think that you're the boss, that you own the business, I don't want you to correct them. Okay?"
"That's almost just as crazy!"
"How? You've got the plans, you've got the car, and you've got the fancy house. The contractors will listen to you. I'll be behind the scenes, guiding you, you will just be the face of Sugar Peaks Café."
"You've lost your mind. I can't do that."
"Yes. You can. Now go check on the progress with the contractors. The roof was supposed to be finished last week."
Megan's eyes ran to the red steel peak of the building, "Looks finished to me."
"Come on Meg. You've gotta go in." Charlotte pleaded.
Megan's stomach churned, and she wished that she had consumed more than just a slice of toast and a glass of wine. She put her hand on the door handle and pushed it open, but then paused, the cold air rushing into the car, "Wait." She shut the door again. "We haven't exactly talked compensation."
Charlotte's eyes narrowed, but then her face broke out into a huge grin. "I knew it!" she slapped Megan on the shoulder. "There's a shark in there after all."
"So..." Megan prodded. As nervous as she was, she was excited about the coffee shop, and now that she saw it in person, the vision had become a reality. Yes, she needed money, but she also needed a distraction, and this project could get her mind off Alex and her train wreck of a life.
"Ten percent," Charlotte was quick to reply, "and you don't have to put up any capital, that's a good deal, Megan. Risk-free. Investors kill for this kind of opportunity."
"Charlotte, this is going to be a lot of work. I think that's a little low."
Charlotte grinned again and eased back into her seat. "Well, then, my business partner, what do you propose?"
"Fifty," Megan blurted out.
