Page 20 of Just One Spark

She rolled her eyes."Then I haven't found my purpose.Selling hot chocolate isn't solving any of the world's problems."

I turned to face her while I waited for the water to boil in the pot."What if your purpose is to spread joy and happiness, and you do that through selling hot chocolate?"

Her mouth dropped open slightly, and my gaze snagged on the movement.We were living together now.Would we have more opportunities to run into each other, maybe even experience more of that kiss?

She finally shook her head."I don’t know.”

"You don't think you make kids happy when you hand them that cup of hot chocolate with mini marshmallows?"

Her forehead wrinkled.“They seem happy about it."

"And your vision for a storefront wouldn't create an experience where people could forget about their problems and immerse themselves in all things sweet?"

She sighed."Maybe."

"You don't think people get joy from Reina's bakery or Meg's coffee shop?"

"When you put it like that—sure.People love their coffee and sweet treats."

"How is your business different?You're creating an experience for customers that they will want to come back to again and again."

Her shoulders curled inward."I can't create an experience with the truck.It's not like customers are walking into a transformed space.You know what I mean?"

I nodded."You hung lights on your window that gave it a cozy feel, and you can have a table at the Illuminary and other events so people can interact with you."

She rested her elbows on the counter, cradling the glass of ice water in her hands."When I talk to you, it makes me feel like my business is legitimate."

My brows furrowed."Of course it's legit.You sell a product that people want."

"You're making me realize that the truck isn't the experience I want people to have.Sure, kids get excited when they see it, but I can't invite them in.All I can give them is a to-go cup."

"You'll get there.No one said starting a business was easy."Especially if she didn't already have a foundation like I did.I wasn't blind to the fact that the inn and the restaurant were established and attracted a reliable customer base.My business would draw from those customers and expand on them.I had an advantage.

"One day, right?"Hattie asked softly, and I wanted to tell her that it would happen.

That I'd be beside her every step of the way, but I couldn't.It wasn't my place, and she wasn't mine."Of course."

She looked away."For now, I have to think about where I'm going to live."

"You said yourself you're at a disadvantage because you don't have a property or a storefront you can use.Why don't you stay here and let me help you with a place to live?You can focus on your business and not worry about spending money on rent."

She immediately started shaking her head."I can't take advantage of you like that."

I should have anticipated that she was going to refuse the offer.I'd pushed too hard too soon.I should have tried a different angle."If your apartment isn't inhabitable, people will expect me to offer you a place to live.We're engaged, remember?"

She sighed heavily."How can I forget?It's all anyone is talking about.Even Clara stopped by to see me."

The water was boiling, so I added pasta to it."What did she have to say?"

"She was upset that she didn't know about our relationship.But once she got over that, she was happy for us."

My heart squeezed, but I didn't look over at Hattie."She was?"

"She welcomed me to the family.It's all so ridiculous.We're lying to your family.They're going to find out, and when they do—" She broke off.

"They're not going to find out.We'll tell them our relationship couldn't handle the stress of the brewery opening or something like that.We'll break up, and everything will go back to normal."That didn't even sound remotely good to me.I liked having her here in my space, eating the food I cooked.

I didn't like that apartment, the way anyone could approach her door.The inside wasn't nice either.I wanted her to feel safe and protected, and there was no way she felt any of those feelings living there.I wasn't even sure her truck was safe in that parking lot.Anyone could graffiti it one night when they were bored.If that happened, it would set her back, and she might give up.I didn't want that to happen.