Page 39 of Ardently Yours

I think about it for a moment, trying to mull over what he’s offering. I actually appreciate that he’s approaching this seriously instead of just telling me he wants to own fifty percent of my business. I think about some of the things I need help with.

My eyes drift toward the front of my journal. As I flip through the pages, I find my to-do list. I see everything that still needs to get done.

It would be nice to have someone help hire a new team for front-of-house coverage. To hire a new barista and a baking assistant. I’d also love to figure out a better marketing plan for the cafe.

I’ve always talked through ideas like this with Will, and he listens without interrupting me. It feels like we’re back in the kitchen, trying to plan together and bouncing ideas off each other for a new drink or a new item on the bakery menu. We always ask each other for opinions about the things we’ve created, even letting each other do taste tests.

I didn’t realize it before, but we were already kind of working like partners. We work well together, and our creativity flows naturally with each other.

We’d just settled into this steady rhythm of working together here at the cafe. But he’s very good at certain things, and I think those strengths translate into leadership.

My mind is already figuring out the details.

I say, “I think having you help with hiring a new team would be great. You and I are going to be business partners now, so we probably need to spend more time doing other things instead of always being out front. I’d like us to be able to plan events together, focus on marketing for the cafe, and, of course, going on supply trips together would be really helpful. I could do the shopping for my drink ingredients, and you could do the shopping for baking. It would help because, well, having two cars and two sets of hands means we can actually get more done. We’d be able to leave the cafe without feeling bad for leaving Wolfsheim all by himself.”

Will adds, “We’d be able to work more behind the scenes, prep drinks, menus, and baked goods further in advance, and then train other people to help take over some of those tasks.”

“Yes!” I’m writing down these things on the Business Partnership side of the contract, excited that this plan is coming to life. “I think we should start by hiring a barista assistant, cashier and a baking assistant. I think that would really help because you and I can train them. Wolfsheim can help train a new cashier. What do you think?”

Will nods, saying, “Hiring a baking assistant, a barista assistant, and a cashier sounds good. Could we consider a marketing assistant too? And we could hire a cleaning crew to come in once a week to do a deep clean of everything.”

As I’m writing, I realize that all of these things have been piling up on my to-do list for the cafe. I never had the time or the budget to make all of it happen on my own. But now, with a business partner, I can actually see it working.

I say, “Perfect. We can also split manager shifts so the schedule is more balanced, give the staff at least one day a week to breathe a little, and make sure we have coverage for emergencies.”

I’m still scribbling down notes as we discuss the business side of things and how we’ll get Will set up as a business partner legally. We’ll have to visit town hall this week and sign some paperwork, but it’s all feasible.

I glance down at my notes and think about how all of this is actually coming together.

“And now for the romance of it all,” Will says, leaning forward to tap my journal, making me look up at him and roll my eyes.

“Slow down. Let me make coffee first,” I tease.

He laughs, standing up and stretching.

“I have something better. I have some leftover cinnamon rolls from today that I can warm up for us.”

“Oooh,” I say, licking my lips. “Yes, please! And I can make us lattes, if you’re up for my signature drink.”

He smiles at me as I stand too.

“I’m always down for a cinnamon swirl latte.”

“Hot or iced?” I ask.

I grab my pen and journal, move from behind my desk, and push the office door open wider before turning back to look at him.

“Surprise me,” he says, smiling and showing off his dimples.

Chapter Fourteen

Will

In the kitchen, we pull up stools next to each other and enjoy our treats. I sip my iced latte, content with Lizzie’s choice of drink for me. She’d already made lattes for both of us before I even finished heating up the plate of cinnamon rolls.

She stirs her drink and glances down at her journal, reading over the notes. She starts to write something down but then scratches it out, saying in a sing-song voice, “Everybody makes mistakes. Everybody has those days.”

“Is that a song?” I ask, watching her and trying not to laugh.