“Are you crazy?” I blurted out. “That’s a lot of money, Cole. Thank you, but no, thank you. No!”
“Why? Do you think I don’t have?—”
“No, that’s not what I meant,” I interrupted quickly, lowering my eyes. “I just can’t take it from you.”
“Why not?” he asked, raising his eyebrows. “I’ll even draw up a contract if that makes you feel better.”
“I don’t know,” I admitted, fumbling for the right words. “I just don’t think it’s a good idea.”
The idea of taking such a huge amount from him made my stomach tighten.
“Just pretend I’m a bank loaning you the money,” he said lightly. “You can even pay me back with interest if that makes you feel more comfortable.” He laughed softly.
I could see he meant every word. My eyes wandered around the room as I tried to process the offer. I bit my lip, still uncertain.
“Are you sure?” I finally asked.
“I’m positive,” he said confidently, sitting up a little straighter, his shoulders back and his chest out.
Slowly, relief began to replace the worry that had weighed on me for days.
The tight knot in my chest finally loosened, and before I could stop myself, the words burst out.
“Thank you, thank you, thank you!” I exclaimed.
The next moment happened without thought. I leaned forward and wrapped my arms around him in a spontaneous hug.
Cole froze, surprised, but then his arms came around me. The scent of his cologne, the steady rhythm of his breathing, and the reassurance of his touch against my back wrapped around me in comfort.
For a fleeting second, the hug lingered longer than it should have. I pulled back slowly, my heart beating a little faster, a soft flutter stirring in my chest.
Relief had drawn me into his arms.
But something else made it harder to let go, like my heart had recognized something before my mind was ready to admit it.
27
JIYA
Presenting my business plan with the required funds finally sitting in my bank account, I passed the second round of interviews. When the confirmation arrived, I sat staring at the email for a long moment before it fully sank in.
I had done it.
I was now the proud owner of two cafés.
Training was scheduled in December, just before the holiday season. Everything I had worked for over the past months was finally beginning to take shape.
One morning, as I sat feeding Emma, I looked down at her and couldn’t believe how much she had grown in just ten months. Her cheeks were fuller now, her little hands constantly reaching for things, and her curious eyes followed everything happening around her. I had started giving her a combination of breast milk and formula, and she seemed perfectly content with it.
Before leaving for training that day, Emma looked up at me and said, “Mama.”
My heart practically leapt like a firework bursting in the quiet of the room.
“Say it again! Mama! Say Mama, Emma!” I laughed excitedly, leaning closer to her. I scrambled for my phone, wanting desperately to record the moment. “Mama, Emma! Say Mama!”
“Mama!” she said again.
I could barely contain myself.
