Chapter 30 #2
Carson nodded. “That’s where I came from. We had a nice little chat about his involvement in the betting pool—”
“Not Arnold, too,” Liz groaned.
“Yep. He and Agnes came up with the idea. The others just ran with it.”
“Ugh. So many meddlers.”
“Yep.” Carson ran his teeth over his bottom lip. “After I got done reaming him out for that we had a little chat about his future. And mine.”
Liz let Carson’s words marinate for a few seconds then aired her questions. “Do you want to buy it? Can you buy it?”
Carson shifted and bit back a wince. “If you would have asked me a few weeks ago, I would’ve said, hell no to the ‘do I want to’ question. Financially, yes. I have enough saved and I’m fairly certain that between the two of us we could figure out financing and buy-in options.”
“But do you want to now?” Liz asked again, more gently this time. As much as she didn’t want Crawford’s to be sold for pieces, she also didn’t want Carson to be saddled with something he wasn’t interested in.
He gulped and let out a nervous laugh. “I think this town has finally gotten to me, because the more I think about it, the more I think I do want to. Is there something in the water?”
Liz grinned. “Yep. It’s called small-town mania, and it’s definitely contagious.”
“Well, whatever it is, it’s working. There’s still a ton to figure out, and I don’t know if it’s me outright buying it or becoming a partner or what, but I think whatever the solution, I need to be here. In Cloverfield. With you.”
Liz studied him for a moment. Took in the earnestness and uncertainty of his expression. The lines of wisdom and laughter. And knew in that instant that regardless of how crazy it might be, she was behind it one hundred percent.
Drawing his head down to hers, she covered his lips with hers and showed him her appreciation.
And he showed her his.
By the time they were finished exchanging support, they were both breathless.
“So,” Liz said, running her fingers through the hair at the back of his head.
“So,” he said, leaning his forehead against hers.
“We’re really doing this, huh?”
“If you’re in, I’m in.”
“I’m in.” Liz allowed the moment to wash over them for a few heartbeats. “On one condition.”
Carson tensed.
“I’m in, as long as you promise me we can work on the revenge portion of our plan now.”
With a chuckle, Carson relaxed. “Remind me to stay on your good side.”
“All I’m saying is that there are still a pile of people who might need some comeuppances. I don’t know that they’ll learn anything if we let them get away with what they’ve done.”
“And you’re thinking that us simply being grateful for whatever they did to get us back together isn’t all that satisfying.”
Liz nodded. “See! You really do get me.”
He winced. “What does that say about me?”
“That you’re the sexiest, most intelligent man I’ve ever met who also has a penchant for revenge?”
Carson’s expression was bland as he stared at her. “Nice save. Okay. We have two things to work on.”
“Revenge is one of them, right?”
Carson rolled his eyes. “Yes.”
“Good. And the second?”
“Well, just because I buy Arnold’s business or become a partner or whatever doesn’t mean it’s not still a gigantic money pit that’ll go belly up if we don’t change things.”
“Oh. Right.” Geez. How’d she manage to lose track of that monstrous tidbit?
Oh yeah—hormones. “Nothing like moving back and becoming the hero only to lose it all because the finger-condom market sucks. I don’t know about you, but so far I’ve been coming up empty as far as potential new Digit Defender clients are concerned. ” A fact that continued to gnaw at her.
“Ah, I’m glad you brought that up.”
Liz wrinkled her nose. “I’m glad my shortcomings make you happy.”
Carson kissed the tip of her nose. “Not what I meant.”
Liz raised an eyebrow and waited for him to continue.
“I talked to Matty today. Before Arnold.”
This time she raised both eyebrows in a genuine show of interest. “What did he have to say?”
“Other than forgiving me for leaving,” Carson cleared his throat, “he had some very interesting things to say about the betting pool and potential uses for the Digit Defender.”
“Did he? Do tell.”
A slow grin worked its way across Carson’s face. “I absolutely will. But I have some conditions.”
Liz gave him a wary look. “Do I want to know?”
“Trust me. You do. They involve the words ‘naked’ and ‘pizza’.”
Liz’s grin matched his. “You know me so well.”
“And that’s why we’re such a good team.”
“You okay over there?” Carson studied her as he chewed the crust of his third pizza slice.
“Yeah. I’m good. I’ve got naked pizza and revenge on my mind. What could be better?”
Carson raised an eyebrow. “I don’t know. You tell me.”
In theory, this was everything she wanted. Carson investing in keeping Crawford’s going in Cloverfield. Him sticking around. The people meddling in their affairs getting a taste of their own medicine. But there was a downside. Potentially a big one.
“Come on,” coaxed Carson. “Spill it.”
Liz sighed. “I love this plan. I really do.”
“But…”
Another sigh. “But, I have my hat in the ring as a consultant for En-Su, LLC.”
Carson’s gaze sharpened. “Really?”
“Yep.”
“That would be huge.”
“I know.”
“So…”
“So I’ve been advised to keep a low profile during the vetting process.”
“Advised by whom?”
“Toni. My business coach. A couple of the other potential candidates had some issues come to light. I’m supposed to keep out of sight and out of mind.”
Understanding lit Carson’s eyes. “And this plan doesn’t exactly fly under the radar.”
“No, it does not.” In the days before social media, it probably would have, but nowadays everyone had a phone with the ability to post online. Local stuff blew up all the time. Like Flurry Fest. So far, Cloverfield Furry Fest was only semi-viral, but Liz didn’t want to push her luck.
“Then we scrap it. Figure out something else.”
“But I think it’s the right move.”
“The outcome, maybe. But we can change how we get there. Make it quieter. We don’t need to do it in public.”
Liz considered the options. Looked at the numbers again. “I think we do. Besides, if this doesn’t work and Crawford’s closes or has to move and it gets out that I was working on the deal and failed, my name is mud anyway.”
Carson shook his head. “No. You give enough of yourself to this town. Absolutely not. I won’t allow it.”
Liz felt the flames of irritation ignite. “You won’t allow it?”
Carson winced. “I heard it as soon as I said it. All I’m saying is that you’re so busy fixing everyone else’s problems, you put yourself last.”
“So?”
“So, in this instance, think of yourself.”
“I am thinking of myself.”
Carson narrowed his eyes at her.
“And how much I want revenge.”
He raised an eyebrow in challenge.
Ugh. It was annoying how well he knew her. “Fine. I do want revenge. But I also want Crawford’s to succeed, and I think this is the best plan.”
“Even if it takes you out of the running for En-Su?”
Liz rolled his question around in her brain. Considered all the implications. Would she love the consultancy gig? Absolutely. Was there another possible way to solve the issue with Crawford’s? Maybe. But would it be in the tight timeframe they had? Likely not.
When it came down to it, she’d choose the local economy every damn time.
After all, what good was winning awards if she couldn’t save her own town?