Page 116 of Bayside Heat
“Great. So what’s the issue?”
She plunked down into the chair again. “I have savings, but not quite enough, and I’m not sure I want to sink every penny into something so risky.”
“I thought you said the business was solid.”
“It is, but what if I screw up?”
He laughed, then coughed to cover it. “Wait. The woman who has no issue going up against Suzanne Kline has confidence issues? Bullshit. What’s this really about?”
“Okay, fine. I know I won’t screw up, but something could go wrong. The building could catch fire. The economy could change.”
“Both true. So you get good insurance, and if the economy tanks you get a new job. Or you can sit around here, work six days a week, and hustle to and from the Cape, and if the economy tanks, you start over anyway.”
She assessed his words and his expression. She trusted Gavin to be honest. He had no ulterior motives to get her to stay or leave. “So you think this is actually a good idea?”
“You don’t belong here, Serena. You keep telling me that in different ways. ‘If this were my company, I’d do this,’ and ‘If I were the boss, I’d do that…’”
“I know,” she finally admitted. “I think I’m just scared to get my hopes up. What if I can’t pull it off? What if Justine doesn’t want to change course and goes with the other buyer? What if I can’t get a loan?”
“Do you want a loan?” He sipped his coffee, casually watching her.
“Nobody wants a loan. You get them because you have to. She’s asking fifty grand, and I have thirty-two, but I’d be left with nothing. I don’t have a car payment or carry any credit card debt. I figure I can probably borrow twenty-five and still have a few thousand left of my savings. It means giving up the hope of buying the cottage I’ve rented for the past several years, but that’s a trade-off I think I’m willing to make.”
“There are other ways to make businesses work. Would you consider a partner?”
“Like Drake buying the business and me being a kept woman? Never.” She crossed her arms against the idea.
“I said a partner, not a sugar daddy.” He leaned forward and brushed something from her shoulder.
“What…?” She looked at her shoulder.
“Nothing. Just trying to get that big ol’ chip off your shoulder.”
She sighed. “Okay, I’m stubborn. No secret there.”
“Serena, I’m being serious. I think you’ve got a chance at something awesome. I’d love a shot at partnering with you. I don’t have contacts at the Cape, but I’ve got plenty of contacts here in Boston that aren’t affiliated with KHB. And in case you haven’t noticed, clients like me. I can work the system. I’m an honest guy, and you and I get along well. I know when to toss you cookies and when to back off. I know you’re sharp as hell and your ideas are usually spot-on, but when they’re not, I know you can handle a little criticism, if worded correctly.”
“I didn’t kick you in the balls when you told me I was going in the wrong direction with that one idea I had for Seth and Jared, did I?”
He shook his head. “That’s how I know you’re not an asshole. We can make this work. We can build something incredible of our own, taking on clients who respect us and, equally important, clients we respect.”
“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?”
