AllFreeNovel
Share Us
He was right, of course – hitting the nail right on the head. Celine and I had to come up with a business plan for one whole semester as one of our final classes to complete our MBA program. It felt like a lifetime away now, but we still had that assignment somewhere, and I was going to use it to start this venture. But I didn’t want Ryan and Ace to know that.
“Yeah, we are. How did you know?” Celine fell right into his trap.
“How did I know? Come on. You two spent just about six months building this little bakery business plan. I remembered reading about it in all of Amber’s letters – how much you struggled and how you both fought, but what I don’t remember is if the professor cleared your plan. I know he didn’t clear mine and Ace’s.”
And that was where he had us. The professor, who had formally been on shark tank and had become a big leader in the business world, would grade students on getting the work done, but then would also clear them to go into the world and try to start up the company with him as an investor.
One group in my class made it. We called them the wannabe Einstein brothers because they were absolute geniuses, but they drove the rest of us crazy. They were cleared by the professor and started a simple drive-through car wash company. It didn’t take off at first, but now, there was one in every town, and just about everyone had a membership sticker on their windshields.
“No, he didn’t clear us, Ryan, but that doesn’t mean we won’t be successful. He was just a know-it-all. And you know that.” I put the tray down on the outdoor table and crossed my arms over my chest defensively.
“You mean to tell me we’re selling our house and moving here all on a business plan that didn’t clear? Is that why you wouldn’t tell me?” Ace’s expression was torn between anger and hurt as he looked down at Celine who looked anywhere but him.
“Why don’t you all go and shower and change for dinner. We’re going out tonight.” I looked at the eight kids who were watching the exchange between the adults. I knew they couldn’t possibly understand. They didn’t need to see this. None of them were old enough.
Summer and Maddi nodded in acknowledgment and ushered their younger siblings through the door. I thanked God for possibly the hundredth time just this trip for how responsible those two were turning out to be – perfect, little women.
Mason closed the door behind him and shot me a cautious look before following the younger kids through the house.
Ace and Celine were going back and forth, their voices rising with each word.
“Guys, come on. There’s no need to fight.” Ryan turned to me, hands crossed over his broad chest.
“Ace is right. We’re giving up everything. I’m giving up my last shot to reenlist as active duty in the army for a baking venture. Don’t you think this is a little ridiculous?” I stepped back at the insult. I wasn’t expecting him to be so opposed.
“I do think this is ridiculous,” I pointed towards him and Ace,. “I think you both are being assholes. Celine and I are going to do this. We are going to start a café.” I made sure to scream the word so he knew this wasn’t some silly, little girl’s dream to be a baker. I was a woman trying to provide for my family. “We are going to sell gourmet cakes and other goods along with specialty coffees, and if you won’t believe in us, then that’s okay because Celine and I believe in ourselves.”
Everyone had become silent. They all stared at me like I was crazy, and I just might have lost my damn marbles, but I was enraged at their lack of support. Celine and I supported them in everything, and we finally want support in something, and we couldn’t get it?
“So, you’re telling me that if this works – and I mean if, Amber – that Ace and I can go ahead and start that car business we wanted to back in college? You and Celine will support us?” Ryan asked, and I sighed.
“Not if, Ryan. When this works, you and Ace can do whatever the hell you want because we,” I point between Celine and me, “will always support you.”
“What do you need from us to get this off the ground?” Ace asked, throwing his arm around Celine’s shoulders to pull her into his chest. She sank into him, and her eyes closed in relief.
“We just need your support and help with the kids for now, and of course, to be our Guinea pigs.”
Ace barked out a deep laugh. “If you mean to say that Ryan and I get to try everything you two come up with, that’s a small price to pay, even if it does make us fat.”
A smile tugged at my lips, but I was focused on Ryan who was still glaring at the ground between us, his body tense.
“Why didn’t he clear the plan?” he finally asked.
I sighed and shared a look with Celine. Ryan and Ace weren’t going to like the answer to this, but I already had an answer to fix the professor’s clear apprehension about our plan.
“There wasn’t enough demand,” I paused as Ace and Ryan both inhaled sharply, “but Celine and I came up with a plan. We are going to cater to people with and without food allergies, specifically people with gluten allergies, so we will offer gluten-free cakes and cookies.”
“And dairy-free, specialty coffee drinks,” Celine added, looking up at Ace who was grinning.
“So, basically, you’re tapping an untouched market in a town that is filled with tourists?” Ace asked.
“That’s exactly what we are going to do.” I hadn’t been able to tear my gaze from Ryan who I could see was doing the math in his head. He was calculating how much this was going to cost and how much profit we had to make from it.
After a few minutes, he nodded. “Where can I get a copy of the menu?” he asked with a smile pulling at those gorgeous, kissable lips.
I ran into his arms and pulled his head down to mine, crashing my lips against his. I knew he would come around. He always believed in me.
