Page 12 of The Offer

Jess looked over at Calvin, who was already staring back at her, head tilted and a knowing smirk on his lips. “Crazy idea?”

Kevin’s eyes remained on the empty cup of ice cream that now sat next to him. “I was in Chicago once, and I came across this bike shop that was also a coffee shop. It was absolutely slammed, so many people there, so many dogs there.”

“And?” Calvin added, guiding Kevin back to his point.

“And so many delicious pastries,” Kevin said, his hazel eyes now meeting hers.

She blinked once. Twice. “What are you saying?”

“That the bike shop was booming,” he replied. “Mind you, it’s Chicago—not Haverport. But what if my bike shop borrowed from the same model? What if it was a bike shop…and a bakery?”

Jess sucked in a breath, finally understanding what Kevin was getting at. “You want to use that kitchen to open up a bakery.”

“And he wants you to run it,” Calvin said.

She looked from Kevin to Calvin, then back to Kevin. “You’re demented.”

Kevin grinned. “Or brilliant.”

Jess rubbed her face and shook her head. “Your solution to saving your business is opening up another business?”

“We wouldn’t need to open up another business, it would all be a part of the shop,” Calvin said. “We would just need to get the right licenses and permits to have a working kitchen, and an inspection, of course.”

Jess crossed her arms, her mind reeling. “How are you going to afford supplies? Renovations? And I’m assuming you want coffee at this bakery as well, right? Espresso machines are not cheap.”

“We have an investor who’s willing to front the money to get this project going,” Calvin explained.

“Who in their right mind would do that?”

The two guys looked at each other. Kevin shook his head just slightly, winning whatever silent exchange passed between the two of them.

“Fine,” Jess said, deciding not to press any further. “It doesn’t matter, it’s your dumpster fire of an idea.”

“Sixty thousand.”

She looked up at Calvin, her mouth agape. “Excuse me?”

“That’s what Kevin can pay you as a starting salary. It’s full time, so you would have to drop Post Road. I’ll allow you to work some night shifts here if you like, but no more pulling double duty every day.”

Jess felt bewildered, shaking her head. “That is…absolutely insane, guys.”

“We’ll also have the means to hire someone part time to help you at the counter. Minimum wage is the best we can do for them, unfortunately. But hopefully tips will make up for it.”

“And you’ll get free rein of the menu,” Kevin added, his soft eyes landing on Jess.

She stared back at him, realizing what he was offering her. The chance to have her own bakery, to be as creative as she wanted. To finally leave Post Road and Cory and his terrible business decisions for good.

But deep in her gut, she had a feeling there was more. It sounded too good to be true. “What’s the catch?”

Kevin and Calvin glanced at each other again, which made her bristle with irritation.

“You have five seconds to tell me or I’m heading back downstairs.”

“You have to leave him,” Kevin answered softly.

Jess froze, staring up at her friend. Or a guy she thought was her friend. Because what he was asking of her was absolutely, one-hundred percent, diabolical. “Excuse me?”

“The salary, the bakery, the freedom, it’s all yours,” Kevin said. “But only if you leave Charlie and move out.”