Striving for Perfection (Striving Series Book 2)
Page 30
“Because we forgot to unlock it once and she fell asleep on the floor in the hallway.”
He rolled over and got out of bed. “Oh, yeah. Don’t remind me. I still feel bad about that.”
I smiled while I watched his ass as he walked to the bathroom. I rolled back over and looked to the ceiling. I couldn’t believe how my life had changed in just a few short months. It was as close to perfect as I could’ve asked for.
“This is the place you were talking about?” I looked around the dirty, dusty storefront. It looked as if it had been burned, but it was just dust, dirt, and garbage from a previous owner.
“Yes.” Carl seemed offended by my question. “I think it’s a great location for Deb’s shop.”
Deb walked around looking at everything. “It’s cheap, a little small, but the price is right.”
I smiled. “I can’t believe you’re going to do it.”
“You wouldn’t shut up until I told you yes.”
“Well, it’s a great opportunity.” I walked over and hugged her. “I just want you to be happy. You deserve to be happy.”
“I think you’re happy enough for the both of us.”
“How can I not be happy?” I wrapped my arms around Carl. “I have the job I love, the man I love, and I’m surrounded by the family I love.”
“I think I liked you better when you were cynical.” Deb walked to the back.
I laughed and looked at Carl. “Did you like me better when I was cynical?”
“That’s a loaded question I’ve learned not to answer.”
I smiled. “Smart man.” I kissed him.
“Hello?” Carl and I turned to the man who just walked through the door. “Are you Mr. Williamson?”
“Yes.” He walked over and held out his hand. “You must be Mr. Mooreland.”
“Mick, please.”
They shook hands and started discussing business. I went to look for Deb. I found her in the back room with her arms wrapped around herself. She was startled when I rubbed her back.
“It’s okay to be scared. You’re making a new life for yourself. I’m proud of you.”
She turned and hugged me. “What if I fail?”
“What if you don’t?” I hugged her back. “I never would’ve thought I could’ve gotten out from under Lance. I almost gave up, but I didn’t. Now I have my job back and he’s making new friends in jail.”
“There is a certain irony that you now own his company.”
“I don’t own it. Carl’s business owns it. I just work there.”
“Any news on the trial yet?”
I shook my head. “No, and I really don’t care. I just want to think about this place and what a success you’re going to be.”
She gave me half a smile. “I wish I was as confident as you. I don’t mind not making it. Not all companies do. It’s the fact I don’t want to move back home with Mom and Dad if I don’t make it that has me scared.”
Amy hugged both of our waists. “You can always move in with us.”
Deb kneeled down and fixed Amy’s hair. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
“The guy who’s selling the place is out front. You should meet him.”
She took a deep breath. “I guess it’s now or never.”
We walked through the door and Mick stopped talking as he caught sight of Deb. I turned to Deb and even though she was still walking behind me, she was just as fixated on him as he was on her. I smiled and stood by Carl.
“Deb, this is Mick Mooreland. He’s the gentleman who wants to sell this establishment.”
Mick turned his head toward Carl, but still watched Deb. “Lease.”
“I’m sorry.” Carl took a step forward. “It was my impression you wanted to sell.”
He shook his head. “No, I’m not letting it go.” He finally turned to Carl. “I just don’t want the overhead.”
“Well, there are different terms we’ll need to discuss then. I was told this was for sale.”
“I apologize for any mix-up. We can add it into the lease that if I decide to sell, I’ll give you first offer.”
Carl turned to Deb. “It’s up to you. How do you feel about this place?”
She looked around and shrugged right before walking out. Carl and Mick looked baffled. I just smiled.
“She’ll take it.” I followed Deb to her car. “So, you liked him, huh?”
“Carl’s right. It’s a great location.”
I shook my head. “You do like him.”
She looked at me. “I’m only here for the store. I think the morning sex is clouding your judgment.”
“I’m sorry again that we were late.”
“You weren’t late. You two always take advantage of Saturday mornings. I told you an hour earlier than you needed to be there.”
I smiled. “I think I’m sharing too much info with you.”
We both watched as Carl and Mick walked out of the store. “Besides, once I sign the lease, I’ll never have to see him again as long as I pay every month.”
I waved when Mick waved from across the street. He shook hands with Carl again and bowed to Amy before going into the door next to Deb’s.
I laughed. “Oh, no. You’ll never see him again.”
“Fuck.”
Girlfriends. The kind who will make you laugh when, actually, you’d rather kill someone. The kind who ask about your big plans for the weekend knowing full well the only big plan you have is with a laptop and characters no one else can hear, and will still listen intently when it’s the same answer every time.
These are the girlfriends who celebrate the accomplishments, no matter how small. They allow us our five-minute pity party before they help to pick our asses up off the floor. Or if you got on the floor by tripping, they'll still help you up, but laugh at you while doing it.
These are the girlfriends I wish for every woman. The girlfriends we can laugh with, scheme with, cry with, but most importantly, depend on. The ones who will help push us to the top no matter how many times we slip back down.
To my small circle of girlfriends, I wish you all lived closer. Sometimes, I’d really like to smack the shit out of you. <3
Thank you to Heather Szczesiak and Sandi Laubhan for, not only your beta reading, but also for your support and promotion of all my work. You go above and beyond. I cannot express my gratitude and appreciation more.
Hot Tree Editing: Quite possibly the most professional, friendly, and honest company I’ve had the pleasure of working with since beginning this journey. Becky Johnson and her team were wonderful to work with throughout the entire process. Editing is about correcting the wrong, but I also enjoyed the praise I received while going through the first round edits by Peggy Hurst Frese. Sometimes you just like to hear when you’ve done something right. They answered any questions I had before and during the edits. I’m sure they’ll be just as helpful now that it’s finished.
Cover to Cover Designs: Kari Ayasha is an amazing cover designer. I stepped out of my cover comfort zone with Striving for Perfection and stayed away from the symbolic. She captured exactly the feel I wanted and made a beautiful cover. However, she still let me keep a little symbolism on the back. Thank you for a beautiful cover and indulging my request for paperclips.
K Keeton Designs: Kelsey Kukal-Keeton captured the pose I requested, but offered so many more. It was difficult to make a decision! It was my first custom photo shoot, but it won’t be my last.
The models: Lo McGauley and Grant Mroz, you stepped up quickly on short notice to do the shoot and the different poses were amazing, even though it made it difficult to choose just one. Thank you for making my characters come to life.
Integrity Formatting: Tami was fast and amazing. She took my vision and put it exactly how I wanted it on paper. Her suggestions and additions to the book only enhanced the feel of Rachael and Carl. I’ll never look at fonts and formatting the same after this fabulous experience.
To the readers, it’s been a long time coming with this title.
Thanks for believing in me and hanging in there. I’m so excited to share this with you all!
B.L. Mooney started writing when the voices and storylines in her head ran out of room. They were getting too cramped and neither B.L. nor the characters could take it anymore, so she did the only thing she could do—she made room. She always knew she wanted to write, but vowed to make time for it later. Now that she’s made time for writing, most everything else falls to the wayside. That seems to suit the characters that keep popping up in her head just fine.
B.L. lives in the Midwest, and her other talents include in-demand cookies, a very dry sense of humor, and stealth eavesdropping. Some mannerisms, attitudes, or twists come from random sentences picked up while passing by strangers. So speak up the next time you have something to gossip about. You never know, it may just end up on the pages of the next book you read.
She loves to hear from her readers.
Email: AuthorBLMooney@gmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorBLMooney
Coming Home
Striving for Normal ~ Striving Series 1 (Drew’s story)
Striving for Perfection ~ Striving Series 2 (Rachael’s story)
Striving for Acceptance ~ Striving Series 3 (Deb’s story)
Liv’s Existence ~ Liv Series 1
Abby’s Survival ~ Liv Series 2
Table of Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Epilogue
Acknowledgements
About the Author
Also by B.L. Mooney