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“Not yet. I wasn’t sure if it was a good idea. I should be focused on this.” I gestured at the messy office.
Brooke groaned. “I think you should try it, even for one day, just to see if it sparks something inside you. Talking about my business, and adding an additional stream of income, was inspiring for me, but you need to find what makes you tick.”
Ryan Ford.But I didn’t say that. Liking a guy wasn’t a goal or motivation, it was a lovely dream.
Brooke pointed a finger at me. “And you need to talk to Nana about the shop and your future. How can you move forward if you don’t know what Nana’s plans are for the business and this building?”
Nana asked me to renovate the apartment, and originally, I assumed it was to rent it to a new tenant. Now, I suspected she might be interested in selling. Where would that leave me?
“Because you’re obviously not interested in saving the business.”
I was the worst granddaughter. Nana had taken me in when I was a child. She’d given me everything, and I was letting her down.
Brooke shrugged. “It’s clearly not where your passions lie.”
Thinking of our brainstorming session, I said, “Maybe she’ll want to close the Spice & Tea Shoppe, and I could come work for you.”
Being surrounded by books and coffee sounded wonderful.
Brooke smiled. “You’re overqualified to work for me, but feel free to keep the ideas coming.”
“I’m always happy to help out a friend.”
Brooke stood, wiping crumbs from her lap and the desk. “I’d better head back. I like my new employee, but I don’t trust her for longer than thirty minutes by herself.”
I helped clean up the wrappers and walked her out. The day was dreary and cold. October rain was the worst.
I said good-bye with a promise to see her again soon, then flipped the sign fromBe Right BacktoOpen.
One thing was certain, I couldn’t see myself running the shop forever. I didn’t feel a zing of excitement like I had when helping Brooke with her store.
I pulled out my ideas notebook I kept in my desk drawer. I had no idea if they were any good, but there was only one way to find out. I opened my laptop and searched for the local community college in the browser.
I searched for open classes and scrolled until I found the creative writing class. Anticipation and nerves swirled in my stomach as I signed up for the class.
Either I had what it took or didn’t. But I’d never find out if I didn’t explore it.
ChapterTwelve
RYAN
On Sunday morning, I got up early and made a mountain of pancakes and bacon. I wasn’t a skilled cook, but I could at least provide a good breakfast.
Once it was done, I woke up Corey. I’d decided to bring him along to Nana’s. She was great with kids, and I wanted him to get to know someone who’d been so important to me growing up.
Now, he sat at the counter, his hair sticking up in every direction. Rubbing his eyes, he asked, “I don’t know why we have to get up so early on the weekend.”
“Because we’re helping a friend today.”
“Yourfriend,” he grumbled.
“Nana was like a grandmother to me. She’s important.”
“What about your parents? Why don’t they come around?” Corey’s voice was curious, but I heard the underlying hurt in them.
“They never approved of my choices in life.”
“The garage?”
