Page 82 of Off the Grid
There’s a nice big bed…McKenzie texted.
He growled under his breath.This is what I get for telling her to call me.
The phone buzzed again. He didn’t want to look down, but he couldn’t help himself.
…there’s an even bigger shower.
Pain. He was in physical pain.
Good Lord, that woman is going to be the death of me, he thought as he honked the horn, silently thankful for New York City and all its horrible drivers. There was no better way to vent frustration. Still though, his lip quirked even as his body burned. Leo ruefully shook his head and sighed.Oh, but what a fun demise it’ll be.
- 28 -
McKenzie
~ One Year Later ~
McKenzie leaned back in her lounge chair and crossed her ankles as she took a sip of her Piña Colada.This is the life.The sun beat down on her skin, turning it a nice golden tan. Waves pounded against the shore, creating a soft, soothing rhythm. She might have been unemployed and homeless, but she’d never been so relaxed in her entire life.
@TheBakingBandit: Guys…GUYS! I think I found the perfect spot.
@Sprinkle-Ella: Oooh, where?
@TheGourmetGoddess: Again?
@TheBakingBandit: I mean it this time!!
@TheGourmetGoddess: Is it in our budget?
@TheBakingBandit: Yes!
@TheGourmetGoddess: Is it in one of our preselected locations?
@TheBakingBandit: Duh…
@TheGourmetGoddess: Is it a total shithole?
@TheBakingBandit: I prefer the term “fixer upper”…
@Sprinkle-Ella: Send pictures! I’m sure it’s nothing a little TLC can’t fix!
It had taken McKenzie about a month to finally build up the courage to pitch the idea of going into business together, just as something hypothetical. Addy and Jo had immediately loved it. But McKenzie had just started her job as head pastry chef, something she felt she owed it to herself to give a chance. Addy was still a media phenomenon, and she’d fled the country to do some traveling while her celebrity died down. Jo was still dealing with the ramifications of her past. So they’d agreed to take six months before they even spoke about the idea again, to let it sink in, percolate, and process.
Six months later, to the day, Jo had messaged them three words—Let’s do it.And it was done. They spent the next five months putting together a business plan. Jo would be the face of the business and would run the front of house. McKenzie would hang back in the kitchen, doing more of the daily grind. And Addy would be in charge of custom orders, specializing in cakes. They’d come up with all their recipes together, playing off their strengths, and they’d use their stories—the good, the bad, and the ugly—to gain some early publicity. At least, that was the theory. In a few days’ time, they’d finally be living in the same city, ready to put it to the test. They’d be soft launching the new bakery with a food truck so they could make a little money and get the brand going before hard launching when the storefront was done…assuming they could ever agree on a spot.
McKenzie flipped through the photos of the real-estate listing Jo had sent and took another sip of her drink.
@TheGourmetGoddess: Actually, this isn’t half bad.
@Sprinkle-Ella: It’s GREAT!
@TheBakingBandit: Told ya :)
@TheGourmetGoddess: Let’s all go take a look next week. Can you make an appointment with the broker?
@TheBakingBandit: Already on it!
“What are you so smiley about?”
