by Jean Oram
“Frankie, don’t be that way.”
“He’s in a whole new league, Mandy. He’s not small town. His morals aren’t the same. He’s trying to accomplish something that’s different.”
“And maybe that’s exactly why I need him. Have you ever thought of that?”
Frankie simply shook his head, backing away and leaving her feeling as though she had to choose between her friend and her restaurant dreams.
8
Mandy plucked cat hair off her cashmere sweater and glanced out her apartment window. As always, she tried to avoid looking at the For Lease sign in Frankie’s window. After not hearing from Seth for over two weeks, Mandy had insisted he post the sign to see if he could get a better offer than Mary Alice’s.
Gathering up the lists and drawings she’d done for the Blueberry Cruise website, as well as the prize list she and Frankie had been working on as separately as possible (he was not impressed with her giving up on her dream so easily), she tucked them in a file folder to take to her brother. She returned to the window to give Portia one last scratch behind the ears, and as she turned to head to the door, she noticed something out of place across the street.
She didn’t know whether to giggle with glee or to panic. Hide or run across the street? She opted for run, dropping the file folder on the kitchen table on her way out. She took the stairs down the narrow passage two at a time, her hands stretched out to the walls to help keep her balance. She wrenched open the street door and braced herself for a second, gathering her wits.
Seth.
In the flesh.
With his hands cupped around his face as he peered into Frankie’s building. He leaned back to check the phone number on the For Lease sign as he pulled out his phone.
No!
She burst onto the street, just about knocking over Mary Alice and her small dog.
“Whoa, girl! Who’s got your panties on fire?” she hooted.
Mandy brushed past the woman and jaywalked to Seth, the grit from the street making her do a tender, hurried hop. Maybe she could have paused for some shoes. The pavement was freezing!
The scent of coffee mixed with Seth’s rich cologne brushed her nostrils as she drew up behind him. She thought once again about how much he looked like nobody from around here. He was tidy in a way Blueberry Springs men just weren’t. They were good looking, healthy and rugged, but not smooth and perfect like this man. She adjusted her fitted sweater and nudged his shoulder with hers, jostling him as he punched numbers into his phone. “Long time, no see, stranger.”
Seth’s eyebrows shot up and he stepped back, as though bumping into a best friend overseas. “Mandy?”
“Anything I can help you with?” She tipped her head toward Frankie’s building.
Seth hadn’t called. Hadn’t e-mailed. And now here he was, lurking around town long after his I’ll-let-you-know deadline.
He glanced at her casual attire and she quickly stepped closer, grabbing his arm and pointing to the grimy windows of the vacant building. “So? Decided to come offer me an outlet?” She let her chest press against his arm as she redirected him toward the building. She didn’t have the key on her. How was she going to pull this off without him a) noticing she was shoeless, and b) concluding she was most certainly not a savvy out-of-town businesswoman?
At least he hadn’t come into Benny’s and seen her in her hideous uniform, plucking cold French fries out from under a table.
He laughed. “Actually, I’m trying to do some secret reconnaissance before I make any offers.”
“Well, if you want to check up on things without me looking over your shoulder, I can go about my business and pretend like I don’t see you.” She took a step back and batted her lashes, giving him a look that indicated it would be impossible not to see him.
He gave her a massive grin. “Sure. I have a meeting with the town councilors about bylaws and I’m planning to chat with the economic development board about any other restaurants seeking permits--you don’t want something like that impacting our opening.”
Our opening. Our. Opening!
He was seriously considering her!
“I’ll get out of your way then.” She hesitated, unsure how to ask about checking up on him the way he was checking up on her and the town. But Frankie was right, she needed more info--especially if he might make an offer. “Would it be possible for me to chat with some other Wrap it Up franchisees?” His expression closed and she poured on a bit more flirt. “You know--” she gave him a soft smile “--so I can find out what you’re like behind the suit.” She slid a finger down his chest and laughed softly.
His expression relaxed and he leaned closer. His ego and business brain were debating so clearly, it was like watching a big screen TV.
“I could arrange to speak to them myself,” she added, “but I figured it might be better if I came to them through you.” She flashed him a thousand watt smile.
“You know…I can do one better,” Seth said, slowly. He pulled a card from his inner jacket pocket and, sucking in a long breath, handed it to her. “I brought this along in case I happened across your path.”
She accepted the piece of thick linen paper. An invitation.
“I’m having a party for my franchise owners and would love to have you join us. Even though you aren’t a member of the Wrap it Up family, you may find the information you need to make your final decision. But I’ll warn you--it’s more of a party than a business meeting.”
She nodded, letting him know she understood she might not be able to corner other owners and pummel them with questions.
“What do you say?”
Mandy read harbor and yacht on the invite and just about fainted on the spot. Where was this party? She wanted franchise info but dang, hanging out and living the life and getting a taste for it all--on a yacht!--would certainly be the way to do it.
“Where is this?” She turned the card over and peered at the tiny map printed on the back.
“My yacht.”
She blinked hard, as if doing so would clear her mind and suddenly have him owning a yacht make sense. “Your what?” She quickly caught herself. “Where on earth do you store a yacht?”
Man, franchises were the racket to get into. He hadn’t been kidding when he’d told her over the phone that owning a franchise was better than going solo as an entrepreneur. Less work, better systems, and more take home pay.
He was living it.
And that was way beyond sexy.
She wanted in. Now.
“Will you come?” He laid a hand on her forearm. “It’s been deemed the water event of the year.”
It was possible his so-called yacht was more of a dingy. There’d probably be a bunch of them crammed in, knees to chin, passing around a bottle of cheap wine and taking turns pumping the thing with air.
But what did it matter? She wanted a restaurant and he was her ticket. She didn’t doubt this party would give her the info she needed and more. It would answer some of her own questions while putting Frankie’s fears to rest.
She paused as though considering the invite before replying, “I’ll be there.” She barely caught herself before asking if she could bring anything. Something with a fancy invitation like this wouldn’t be potluck. She ran a finger over the card. This one invite probably cost him more than a whole stack of paper plates. Heck, it probably cost more than the whole set of thank you cards she’d bought after Christmas. This thing had imperfect, feathered edges that looked as though they’d been nibbled by a hundred exotic butterflies.
“Well,” Seth said, stepping away, “I need to talk to some small town councilors about whether they’re chain friendly.” He leaned toward her conspiringly. “Some towns seem to want to preserve that stagnant, small town feel and get iffy about chains.” He shot her a wry grin as though he couldn’t believe anyone would think such a thing.
She glanced up Main Street, with its older buildings and unique architecture. Purely Blueberry Springs.
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Live local. Support local.
She turned back to look at Frankie’s vacant building with the brick exterior and big windows. The old green and white striped awning was rolled up and tucked away from the elements. What would it look like with bright Wrap it Up signage? Would it look out of place and ruin the charm of the old brick façade? Or would it give the building a recognizable flash of modern day spunk?
There was only one way to find out.
The yacht had been amazing. And totally not a dingy. It had been decked out with glossy wood, comfortable seating, good wine, and filled with successful Wrap it Up franchisees. All incredible women--no men, oddly enough. But when she’d asked, Seth had said that women understood his brand as well as the target market. He knew his company and the longer she’d spent with him, the more she’d understood that his was the gut to listen to, not her own silly small town ideals about how to sell more food. He was the one with the successful chain and the yacht. He had the system that made money. He was the one with the life she coveted.
And although younger than the other women, Mandy had felt as though she fit in with the group. Her designer sundress had earned her compliments and her ability to talk fashion as well as food had seemingly won her some brownie points with the others who were dressed to the nines. In the end, she’d managed to wrangle Seth into agreeing to offer her an outlet in Blueberry Springs and the next day they’d holed up in his office to hammer out a preliminary agreement.
She gave a little skip of excitement. Being away all weekend, nobody knew about the pending deal. Not even Frankie. She peeked through the parts store window, then hid out of sight as she tried to pull herself together. Suddenly she was nervous, her gut feeling like a Boy Scout was using it to attempt to earn his knotting badge. Her sixth grade drama teacher had once told her that she had a talent for acting and could pretend to be anyone she wanted. She’d been doing it for years without any issue but the problem was that more and more she felt like she was in a whole new play and nobody had thought to hand her the appropriate lines. She didn’t understand the changes in Frankie or what he expected of her now, and with her starting her own business things were going to change even more.
She smiled and nodded at Wanda, the owner of the local bridal shop, as she passed. She peeked inside the store again. Frankie was at the counter, talking on the phone. He glanced up and she quickly hid out of sight again. She was being ridiculous. He was her best friend. He’d be excited for her.
But, for the first time ever, she’d missed his season-opener crash-up derby--AKA pissing match. That meant she’d missed out on an opportunity to patch things up with him over their various disagreements. But she’d also avoided another fight--one about his safety. And truly, the last thing she needed, with the way her heart and body kept reacting to him lately, was to watch other people ram his car with him still inside.
Nuts. That man was completely nuts. Which was another reason why she should never take the more-than-friends leap with him. Her mom would undoubtedly--and wisely, she might add--advise her to ask him to quit, but that would be asking him to change. And then, what was the point? You didn’t date someone to change him. You dated him because you wanted him for the way he was. Flaws and fears and all.
Sucking in a deep breath for courage, she let herself into the store.
“Hey,” she said lightly, joining Frankie at the parts counter. His hair was disheveled on the one side and she resisted the urge to reach over and smooth it out.
“Your dad was in here trying to switch out your LED taillights again. I told him we were all out of regular bulbs.”
“Thanks.” She gave him a grateful smile, then holding her breath, blurted out, “I got the restaurant.”
“What do you mean? With Seth?”
She nodded, barely daring to exhale as she waited for his reaction.
“Wow!”
Heart came over and nudged her hand with his wet nose, looking to see if she had a tennis ball.
“Right on, Mandy!” Dodger called from his spot at the order desk. “When do you open?”
“I don’t know yet.”
“Well, make sure you stock your brownies. I’d buy those every day.”
“So you want the building?” Frankie asked, leaning against the counter. “To go with that guy?”
“Yes. To go with that guy.”
She had filed her permits, paid her deposit, signed her letter of intent, and had been preapproved for the franchise start-up loan--she’d explained that she wasn’t able to liquidate all her assets without taking a hit. AKA sell her truck for as much as she’d put into it. The next step was securing the building lease, then signing the contract at the lawyer’s office. Things were moving at the speed of light.
“A lease. Like we agreed.” She bit her bottom lip and waited. If Frankie pulled out now her dream would go down in flames. There was no affordable back up plan and she’d likely lose her deposit.
Frankie pushed away from the counter, and Heart, who had collapsed at Mandy’s feet when he figured out she didn’t have a tennis ball, got up to sit beside his owner as though taking his side.
Frankie grimaced and rolled his right shoulder.
“What did you do?” The man was obviously in pain and her pulse went wonky with worry.
“Nothing,” Frankie muttered.
Dodger piped up from his spot at the order desk. “Totally got slammed by Rex in the final round at the derby.”
“What?” Mandy whirled to face Frankie. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
Frankie gave a half shrug, eyes to the side.
“Did you see a doctor?” she asked. Probably not. He was Mr. Invincible Daredevil, after all.
“Said it’ll heal.”
“Frankie.” Mandy stepped toward him, her heart doing a crazy polka while her mind flitted through worst-case scenarios. Why hadn’t he told her about it? Sure, she’d been crazy busy getting this franchise thing sorted, but they were supposed to be best friends. He’d been hurt.
“It’s just bruised and needs time.”
“He’s quitting derby,” Dodger said from his station, jabbing a thumb in Frankie’s direction.
“For real?” Mandy asked, spinning to face Dodger and his grimy eyeglasses. She tried not to sound too excited. Especially since Frankie quitting wouldn’t change anything other than her being able to sleep better at night.
“Says it’s not worth it,” added Dodger.
“Mind your own business,” Frankie muttered.
Mandy focused on Frankie and the way the corners of his lips were softly turned down. “Not worth it, how?”
“It’s a lot of work.”
“Just to smash it all up!” chirped Dodger. “That’s what he told me.”
Mandy nodded. So the man was finally thinking with the right head. Nice. For some reason that made her heart feel all squishy and warm.
“Look, Dodger,” Frankie snapped, face red. “It’s more than that. I’m losing clients.” He rolled his shoulder, bracing it with his opposite hand. “I can’t sand and paint the Charger now. I’ve had to subcontract it out.” He met Mandy’s eye and with a calm, level voice, said resolutely, “Derby is keeping me from the things I really want in life and someone wise once told me it’s nothing more than a big pissing match.”
Mandy’s knees felt like someone had butted into them from behind and she gripped the counter to steady herself. Frankie pushed the key to his building into her hand, muttering that a deal was a deal. She stared at the key, feeling as though it was the key to so much more than an old building.
She grinned up at Frankie, her last big hurdle gone. She was going to be someone.
“Good luck, Miss M.”
“Oh man do I ever love you!” She threw herself over the counter, sliding her arms around his neck.
“Whoa!” Dodger said with a laugh. “Hello 613.9.”
“As a friend,” Mandy added, trying to ease herself back onto the ground. “Just as a friend
.”
Frankie refused to let her go, holding her close, his embrace feeling so right as he whispered softly, “I know, Miss M, I know.”
Mandy slipped into John Abcott’s law office, eager to get the franchise agreement signed before her period of exclusivity ended. Sure, she still had more time but she was nervous that if she didn’t get everything signed immediately something would come along and burst her happy little bubble, sending her back to serving fries for the rest of her life.
She took the last swig of coffee from her insulated cup and gave herself a little nod. Caffeinated and ready to burn through a big ol’ stack of legal documents.
Right-o.
Liz Brady-Moss, John’s part-time secretary, greeted Mandy from behind her desk. “You can go ahead in.” She pointed to the coffee pot full of dark sludge that could burn a hole through anything it touched. “Grab a coffee on your way by, hon.”
Mandy grinned and waggled her cup. “Brought my own, thanks!” She could never figure out how Liz had ended up working here. As one of the town’s best gossips, it made sense that she was a casual reporter for the local paper, but not in a legal office where she had to keep all its comings and goings under her hat. But either way, Mandy secretly enjoyed the idea of Liz having to hold her tongue once in awhile.
John closed his office door behind Mandy and, nodding to her travel mug, whispered, “I always knew you were a smart gal.” In a louder voice, he added, “How are you doing?”
“Great. What did you think of that contract?” Settled at John’s big table that served as a desk, she rubbed her hands together. “Let’s sign that thing and get me in business.”
He frowned as he took a seat across from her. “Contracts are a compromise. You need to engage in some back and forth before you sign something as big as this. You need to individualize this to your needs and the uniqueness of your location.”
