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“Oh yeah. I’m thinking about looking around town for something. Although, I don’t want to compete with The Oasis, and I don’t think it’s for sale.”
“You’re right, it’s not. But my friend and I want to offer you this and receive forty percent of your business.” He stands and leans over his desk, pointing to the large sum of capital.
My eyes grow wide and my heart races. I swallow hard. This offer sounds great, but I didn’t plan to give up that much of my company.
“May I?” I ask as I sit forward and reach for one of the papers.
“Yes, please read over them. Take them with you and have your lawyer read them. I’m sure they are all in proper order.” He pulls all the papers together, then slides them into a manila folder.
Taking the folder in hand, I open it and slide out the first page. My eyes skim over it when I see a name I don’t know. A Mr. Vince Steele. My eyes lift and shift around the office. I ask Mr. Coble, “Who is Mr. Steele?”
“Ah. I didn’t expect you to know Vinny.” Mr. Coble sits back down. He leans forward, placing his arms on his desk, clasping his hands together.
“He used to be the head culinary instructor before becoming the university’s president. He’s now retired and came to me with this idea to offer you a helping hand. A leg up, so to speak.” He smiles and nods his head.
“He knows all about having big dreams and wants to help make yours come true. And now that you’re planning on staying local, I’m sure he’ll be even more excited.”
“Things have changed for me; I’d like to meet Mr. Steele before we agree on anything. Could we meet for dinner at The Oasis tomorrow night?”
“Sure, thing, Jaden. I’ll call Vinny and have him meet us there. Say, eight o’clock?”
“That’ll be fine. I’ll talk with my business lawyer and have him review your proposal in the afternoon.” I stand and extend my hand to Mr. Coble. He shakes my hand without standing.
“I look forward to meeting Mr. Steele and moving forward with this joint venture.”
“See you tomorrow evening, Jaden.”
I turn and walk out of his office. I rush back to Blaire’s classroom, hoping to see her, and pick up where we left off, but the door is locked and the room is dark.
31
JADEN
After searching for two months now, I’ve not found a decent building anywhere in town to start a new restaurant. Location is key, and The Oasis has the best spot in town. I’ll bide my time until I find the perfect place. In the meantime, I keep busy working as the Junior chef under Chef Thomas. I can’t believe how much I’ve learned from him already. I practice all the new dishes he teaches me on Blaire.
I park my car a few doors down from Blaire’s. Sliding out, I lock it and glance toward her place. Today is the day she and Preston are introducing me to Britney.
I have a stuffed polar bear for her as a gift to help her warmup to me. I walk toward her house and take the few steps up to the porch.
I knock on the door this morning. Normally, I’d just let myself in, but today is a little different.
“Hey,” Blaire says with a smile when she opens the door. She takes my hand in hers and leads me inside.
“C’mon, Preston and Britney are in the playroom.”
My bicep muscles twitch and my stomach feels like it's filled with butterflies. My pulse races as we get closer to the playroom.
“Dada, please…” Britney say as we enter the room. Her eyes dart to mine and she clings to her dad. She smiles with her index finger in her mouth. She reminds me of a mini-Blaire. Golden blonde hair and blue eyes.
Preston picks his daughter up, sitting her on his hip. He kisses her cheek and says, “Britney, Mommie has someone she wants you to meet.” He leans Britney toward Blaire, and she takes her in her arms.
“Honey, this is Jaden. Mommie’s friend.” She tilts her head and looks at Britney.
“Can you say hi to Jaden?”
I smile and wait for Britney to feel at ease with me. Then I remember the stuffed animal and hold it out for her.
“Oh, here, Britney. This is for you.”
