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Chapter 23 – Be Here
Ruby
I cleaned up, then settled at the corner table with my notes and brochures, determined to move ahead. The door opened, bringing the sounds of the busy street and a wedge of afternoon sun inside. My head snapped up in anxious anticipation, but it was just Minty and her girls.
I blew out a disgruntled breath, half relieved, half disappointed. They looked disgruntled. I waved them over to my table. “Join my pity party. Sit your butts down and tell me your troubles.”
“Are you like a bartender? People spill their troubles to you?” Junie joked.
I shrugged. “It’s a potato bar, for some people it’s close enough.”
Minty sat down beside me, and her presence, as always, comforted me. Junie and Willa took the chairs opposite.
“What’s wrong, Ruby?” Minty asked, rubbing a slow circle over my back.
I sighed. There were too many to mention, and none I wanted to talk about, yet. I chose the least of my problems. “Franchise trouble.”
Junie’s eyebrows shot up. “You’re looking to franchise this place?”
I snorted. “Trying to. It’s not going all that well.”
“For what it’s worth, I think you’ve got an excellent concept with this place,” Willa offered. Willa was one of those people who always made you feel good. She just had that sunny way about her.
“Thanks,” I replied gratefully. “I think so, too. I’ve run this place since I was twenty years old. I’m ready to take it to the next level and get out from behind the counter.”
“Can we help?” Junie offered. “With marketing or design?” Junie was full of energy, and she would be awesome to have on my team, if I ever actually needed one.
“Thanks, Junie. I’ll definitely let you know,” I smiled anxiously. There were so many decisions to make, it was easy to feel overwhelmed by it all. I needed to take the attention off myself.
“Now. Tell Ruby what’s brought you three stomping in here like you’re ready to bite some poor, unsuspecting potato in half?”
Minty scowled. “Asshole client!”
All three of us looked at her in astonishment, and then laughed.
She sat primly, her small, enigmatic smile on her face. She continued, “You cannot deny that today he was particularly obnoxious?”
“No, he was!” Junie assured her. “I’m just not used to hearing you swear.”
Minty shrugged. “It’s what you both call him in the office. In my head, he’s ‘asshole’. I’m not even sure what his real name is anymore.”
I laughed. Minty had surprised me again. It appeared she was a bit of a mama bear with Junie and Willa. “I love you, Minty. I do.” I hugged her sideways and stood. “What can I get you guys to eat?”
They left me much more relaxed than they found me. I didn’t know Minty’s girls well, but what I knew, I liked. Junie was a riot, and Willa, I just wanted to wrap my arms around her.
I sat back down at my table and studied my notes. I really didn’t want to wait any longer to get started. I picked up the last brochure and turned it over in my hands.
I had nothing to lose. Vander recommended them and he would not lead me astray. Ten minutes, and one phone call later, I had an appointment with one of their consultants for the following day. Lucky for me they had an opening.
I gathered up my notes into a pile, then heard the door open. I knew without turning that Vander was there. Seeing him was like opening the door a crack to let the sunshine in. I turned to him with a smile.
He stopped dead and stared at me for a moment before his face lost the serious, stern look I’d come to expect. His shoulders dropped and he pushed his hands deep into his pockets, the lines around his mouth softened, and his lips tipped up on one side.
“Hi,” I greeted him softly.
“Hi, yourself,” he teased me.
“Drink?”
