AllFreeNovel
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“I can tell you love it. So, tell me, what would you do with this place? I’ve seen you eyeing the lack of décor the whole time we’ve been in here.”
I blush. “I have not!”
“You definitely have. For a café, there’s nothing on the walls. It has to be driving you crazy.”
I laugh. “Maybe a little. But the wall color is great. I like that it looks like coffee with milk. Maybe cliché, but it works in this case. The first thing I’d do is add wall décor. The barista has blue hair, and it seems like they’re trying for a hipster vibe but never went all the way. I’d see if we could get some local artists to display their work. It could be sold here, too. A lot of coffee shops do that.”
Spencer nods. “I’ve seen it before. What else?”
I wiggle the unstable table we’re sitting at. “These would have to go. They’re generic. They don’t tell me anything about the space or the shop. I’d want to repurpose them if possible. Try to fix them up so they don’t wobble and then pay some local artists to do designs on them.”
“You’re hung up on the local artist thing.”
“It makes sense. Most coffee shops cater to that type of crowd, and I like the idea of spreading around the work. I buy and shop local as often as possible.”
“That’s pretty awesome of you. I wish I could say the same, but I’m not the best at it.”
“I can forgive you this time. I’d also want to change the front displays so that they show off the baked goods from the front. You don’t see them unless you’re right at the counter, so it’s hard to pick. People panic under pressure.”
Spencer chuckles. “Is that your way of saying you want a baked good?”
“A chocolate croissant sounds amazing.”
“Coming right up!”
I sip my coffee while Spencer gets my pastry. I ate dinner before we came out, but a sweet treat never hurt anyone.
When he returns, Spencer has the blue-haired barista in tow.
She holds out a hand to me. “Hey, I’m Nichelle, and I own this place. I overheard your comments about redecorating this place, so I asked your boyfriend about you. He said you’re an interior designer?”
I light up. “Yes, I am! I hope I didn’t offend you. I just think about these things …”
“I’m not offended at all! The truth is, we opened about a year ago and didn’t have the money to do much. We’re in better shape now, and I’d love to hear more of your thoughts. Do you have a card?”
I grab a card from my clutch. I always carry them around, just in case. “Yes, here it is! Feel free to give me a call during the week.”
Nichelle smiles at me and pockets the card. “I definitely will. Enjoy the croissant!” She goes off to help more customers and clean behind the counter while I do a little chair dance.
“That was awesome! I can’t believe she overheard my ideas. You didn’t tell her to hire me, did you?”
“Nope. She asked me about you, and I simply answered. This was all you.”
“I’m so excited. I don’t need you to get me jobs! I can do it all on my own!”
Once again, I see the hint of a frown on Spencer’s face that he quickly replaces with a smile. “You’re bound for great things, Leila.”
I glance around the shop, my mind racing with more ideas I can share with Nichelle. I can’t wait to get started on this project.
“My parents will be so disappointed when they find out how much work I’m starting to get over here. It breaks my focus away from our courtship.”
Spencer laughs. “I’m sure the photos of us here will help.”
“It will. What about your parents? What are they like?”
He shrugs. “They’re parents. They’re proud of me, but they stay out of my life. They have since I was a kid. I think they feared becoming stage parents who control their kids’ lives. My mom does call me every time I get in a magazine for being a bad boy, though. A big part of my wanting to change my reputation is that she sounded disappointed every time she read those magazines.”
“You’re turning things around for yourself. Look at us both. We’re killing it!”
I finish my coffee and eat the pastry, which is delicious. The café is starting to close up shop, but I’m not ready for this night to end.
“Hey, what do you say we go back to my apartment for a movie or something? We can celebrate my potential new client!”
“Yeah, sure, that sounds great,” Spencer says. “I wouldn’t mind some Shiloh time.”
I laugh. “He’ll be so excited to have you over.”
We gather up our few things and head back to Spencer’s car. So far, this date night has been a success.
