Page 61 of Hot Shot
I sigh. I should have known she’d cut right to the chase. Rachel and I have been friends for years, and if there’s one thing I know about her it’s that she doesn’t beat around the bush.
“I did. Maybe eventually I’ll do it. I’m just not ready yet.”
She raises an eyebrow. “What’s holding you back?”
Why is she trying to get rid of me?
“Why are you pushing this? I’d have thought you’d want me to stay. You profit off this too.”
When I started making custom cakes, Rachel and I came to an agreement that I would take a cut of the profits from each cake on top of my regular wage. She felt it was only fair because I was helping her business by offering a service she couldn’t otherwise offer. That it went above and beyond what she’d hired me to do. I was grateful for the extra income so I agreed.
“Because”—she folds her hands on the desk—“you’re my friend first and foremost. I want to see you succeed. I think you’re selling yourself short, not going out on your own. Yes, I enjoy the bump in revenue we get from your customers, but I’d rather refer them to my friend’s business.”
“That’s ridiculous, Rachel. You can’t run a business like that. You’d be losing money.”
She laughs, sitting back in her chair. “I can run my business however I choose. Plus, you were doing me a favor working for me all these months so I didn’t have to scramble to hire someone and train them when Alexa left. We’ll do fine without the revenue from your cakes. I’m in talks with a couple of local restaurants to carry our pastries.”
“I-I don’t know.” I take a sip of my coffee to try to gather my thoughts.
Starting my own business is scary. I appreciate that Rachel wants to see me follow my dreams, but I enjoy working here and the stability of the paycheck. Going out on my own means I’d give that up. Again.
My track record for decision-making isn’t the greatest. What if I can’t handle a business?
“I have faith in you, Madison. I think you should think about doing it. I love having you here. I truly do. But you could be doing so much more. Finally fulfilling that dream you had in school. Maybe even keep better hours so you’re not so tired when you spend time with your boyfriend.” She winks at me.
I sigh. “I’ll think about it.”
“That’s all I ask. That you think about it. Really think about it. I’m here if you want to talk through things.”
“Okay.”
The conversation shifts to the most recent cake orders that have come in, but I can’t stop thinking about what Rachel said.
A few hours later, I’m cleaning up the kitchen when Brandon pokes his head through the door. “Your boyfriend is here.”
“Thanks. I’ll be right out.” I untie my apron, trying to remember if Hunter and I made plans for today. I rack my brain but can’t remember any.
Grabbing my purse, I head out to the front to find him casually leaning against the display counter, his arms crossed, deep in conversation with Brandon.
Like he can sense me, he looks up and directs a grin my way. Tapping on the counter, he pushes off the display.
“Hey, hot shot.”
“Hi, sweets,” he says, giving me one of his dazzling smiles. “These are for you.” That’s when I see that he’s holding a bouquet of tulips. He remembered?
“I remember everything you tell me,” Hunter says.
“Shit, I said that out loud. Didn’t I?”
“Yeah, you did.” The side of Hunter’s mouth quirks upward.
“Thank you.” I take the flowers and raise them to my nose to inhale their fragrant scent.
I step closer to him and go up on tiptoes to kiss him. I only mean it to be a quick, chaste kiss, but Hunter snakes his arm around me and holds me close as his tongue seeks entrance into my mouth.
We get lost in each other until a throat clearing behind us has him pulling back. He gives me a wink before dropping his arm and stepping away. My face heats up at letting things go too far.
Clearing my throat, I ask, “What are you doing here? Did we have plans?”
