Page 61 of Savage in the Sweets
“You think I don’t want her back?” Irene snaps. “My hands are tied.”
“You mean to tell me that you have no pull with the school board?” I point an accusing finger at her.
“Oh, I have some pull. It’s just Donald Setland has significantly more.”
My brow narrows. “Donald Setland? Why does that name sound familiar.”
“He’s a rich asshole that’s going through a divorce,” Stephanie begins. “Lacy turned him down, and shortly afterward, he complained to the school board about Lacy’s use of colorful language. Then, he had his little girlfriend Stacy file a complaint as well.”
Stacy…the name sounds familiar, but I can’t quite place it. Wilson’s Grove is small, so chances are, I’ve met her.
Then I remember the redhead that used to eye fuck me. The one I turned down.
“Shit—I’ve had a run-in with Stacy.”
Irene cocks a brow. “Care to elaborate.”
“She wanted a tour of my gym…and all the equipment.”
“What woman wouldn’t?” Irene says, and when both Stephanie and I lift our brows in shock, she returns with, “I’m an old woman. Forgive me if I say whatever I damn well please.”
“Good for you,” Stephanie says under her breath.
“Lacy’s an exceptional citizen. How is it he has such a hold over the school?” I ask.
“He throws around a lot of money,” Irene says, “which is why we need to make a strong stand and show the board that by siding with a skirt-chasing asshole, they’re going to end up missing out on something better.”
“Look, whatever it is you want me to do, I’m in. I just don’t see how I could help long term without her being allowed in the school. The online market is flooded with artisan chocolates, and Wilson’s Grove is small.”
“I actually think there is a way I can help you, help Lacy,” Stephanie says. “You see, I own half of Savage Sweets, and she’s given me power of attorney to make some decisions she’s rather not. It’s an ‘out of the box’ solution that would be a huge risk for me. I just need to know that you’re committed to my sis. She loves you, and even though you guys got off to a rocky start, I know you’ll treat her better than anyone else.”
Irene cuts in with, “And if this works out, there is no way they’re going to be able to keep Savage Sweets out of the school.”
“Tell me everything.”
Lacy
Sometimes,it’s best to know when you’ve been beat. Otherwise, you pour an ungodly amount of resources into saving something destined to fail.
After being disinvited from doing business at Wilson’s Grove Elementary, I tried to get creative. First, I attempted to forge relations with a private school, but they didn’t really have a need for me. Then I tried to expand my online presence, which is a huge investment of both time and money. Since there’s so much online competition, there was no way I could compete with established online storefronts, especially the franchises.
And now, almost four months after the fateful call, I’m officially shutting down.
At first, Colin tried to make it up to me. He campaigned to allow me back on school grounds, publicly apologizing and doing everything he could to pressure the board to reverse their decision.
Unfortunately, their minds were made up.
Then he tried to get me to go to a financial advisor with him, promising to do anything to help ensure the survival of Savage Sweets, but, as I said, it’s best to know when you’re beat.
He offered to take care of me, telling me I could choose not to work at all if I so wanted and that he’d support me.
But that’s not the kind of life I want.
As much as I care for him, or rather, love him, I know I can’t get over what he did. Even though he feels absolutely terrible about it.
We arranged for me to still spend time with Michael when he had playdates with April, to make my transition out of their lives as painless as possible.
Of course, Michael was devastated, which damn near killed me inside. I promised I’d continue to visit him, but there’s this look in his eyes when he sees me that makes me ache.
