Chapter Eleven #2
“The one I got over the summer. I told you about it. A customer came in asking if we hosted kids’ parties with chocolate fountains, and I thought it would be a great idea.
Since we do all the community events, we can use it there, too, and it would be another way to market our business during slower times.
I was even thinking about talking to Ani at the bookstore to see if she was still hosting a book club.
We could totally slide into that. Books and chocolate are the perfect pairing.
I just haven’t had time to put my ideas together. ”
“You never told me you bought a fountain, and I haven’t seen an invoice for it,” Carly said.
“Really?” Birdie set the box of molds on the counter and shrugged. “I must’ve told Quinn.”
“Okay, well, get me the invoice, and I’ll reimburse you.”
“I don’t have the invoice. I bought it at an outdoor market. But it’s brand-new, as you can see. It’s still in the unopened box.”
“Birdie, I’ve told you a hundred times, you can’t keep buying things and not writing them off. That’s not how you run a business.”
“I know. Sorry. It’s not like it was thousands of dollars, and honestly, I’m not in the mood for a lecture right now. Can you lecture me tomorrow, please?”
“I’m not lecturing.” Carly sighed. “But you need to start paying attention to those things. Come on, let’s talk in my office.”
Birdie followed her into the office and sank into a chair. “What did you want to talk about? If this is about me eating too much of the inventory, I know it’s a problem. But in my defense, it’s a medicinal requirement right now, and probably the only thing keeping me sane.”
Carly smiled supportively. “It’s not the inventory. I have news. Two bits of news, actually.” Her smile widened. “Zev and I just found out I’m pregnant.”
“Ohmygod!” Birdie vaulted out of the chair, throwing her arms around Carly. “You’re going to be the best mom!”
Carly hugged her back. “I hope so.”
“No hope about it!” Birdie exclaimed, throwing her hands up as she spoke. “We’re going to have so much fun! When is the baby due? I’m going to throw you the best baby shower, with tiny chocolate wet suits and mini-treasure maps. Can you imagine how freaking cute your baby will be?”
She rattled on about nursery themes and names, and when she finally took a breath, she realized Carly hadn’t said another word, and she was worrying with her hands. Birdie sat down, her heart sinking. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” Carly said too fast. “But…Zev and I are wrapping up the recovery mission off Silver Island. We’ve hired a couple of divers to finish it for us.”
“That’s good, right? You’ll be able to focus on the baby.”
“Yes, but for the last few years, we’ve been researching another site in the Caribbean.
I can’t really talk about it in detail, but it’s all coming to a head.
We’re so close. We have to leave at the end of the month to get all our logistics in order and make arrangements for the equipment at that location.
The baby is due in March, so Zev’s cousin Noah is going to take my spot diving and work with us on the project.
” Noah was a marine biologist and one of the owners of the Real DEAL, a total immersion exploratory park for kids not far from the chocolate shop.
“That’s great,” Birdie said. “Zev must be psyched, getting to work with his cousin, and you’ll be in the Caribbean with a new baby.
Sounds like everything you’ve ever wanted.
How long will you be away getting things ready?
A couple of weeks? Will you and Zev be back for Thanksgiving?
I have great ideas for holiday chocolates this year. ”
Carly lowered her eyes and tucked her hair behind her ear before lifting an apologetic gaze to Birdie.
“Actually, we’re thinking it’s time for me to step back from the shop.
It’s gotten really hard keeping up with the finances and everything else while Zev and I are running our treasure-hunting business and doing research and dealing with all the legalities and equipment, and dozens of other things that always come up.
And when we’re at sea, if our internet is spotty, I get stressed because I don’t want to let you and Marie down, and with a baby coming, we’re thinking of spending more time in Maryland with our families… ”
As Carly doled out perfectly valid reasons for needing to break away from the partnership, each one hit Birdie like a blow.
Carly was like a sister to her. They’d met when Birdie was only fourteen, after Carly, at nineteen, had suffered the tragic loss of her best friend and had come to live with Marie, who had been her mother’s roommate in college.
Carly had spent time on the ranch, getting help and becoming part of their family.
She and Birdie had shared heartbreaks, celebrations, and secrets.
Carly had helped Birdie grow in so many ways over the years, and they had grown Divine Intervention together for more than a decade.
She’d taught Birdie everything she knew about being a chocolatier.
Carly was the anchor of Divine Intervention, while Birdie was the wind and the sails, and sometimes the hurricane. It was the perfect partnership.
And now it was coming to an end.
Carly touched Birdie’s knee, drawing her back to the conversation. “I promise I’ll teach you everything you need to know about the business end of things.”
Birdie’s stomach sank. Carly had attempted to teach her about finance, negotiating, and budgets after they’d become partners a few years ago, but Birdie’s brain just wasn’t wired for it.
She’d never been good at math, and while she could negotiate her way into free drinks at any pub, negotiating on a corporate level took a different type of know-how.
Birdie wasn’t sure she could pull off handling the business end of things, but there was no way she’d dim Carly’s excitement by letting her see her trepidation.
Rallying every ounce of positivity she possessed, she said, “That’s great. I’ve totally got this.”
“Really?” Carly’s brow furrowed. “I hate leaving you at our busiest time of year.”
“Don’t worry about that. You’re having a baby and starting a new adventure. I’m excited for you.”
Carly exhaled with relief. “I’ve been so nervous about telling you. Thank you for understanding. I haven’t told anyone else yet except Marie, because she gave me my start.”
“And now you’re giving me mine,” Birdie said, pushing past the ache in her chest.
“You’re going to do great. I know you don’t love finances and all the legal stuff, so I can teach Quinn to run the business if you want me to. Then you wouldn’t even have to think about it.”
Quinn had worked at a bank before joining them at the shop full time.
She was infuriatingly meticulous and great with numbers.
But something about the suggestion struck a chord with Birdie.
Quinn enjoyed working there, but the shop wasn’t the end-all for her.
She had Cutter to fill those emotional gaps.
Birdie had worked her ass off making the shop stand out, offering special treats every week, remembering repeat customers’ names, and giving everyone a reason to smile when they walked in the door.
She might suck at having any type of love life, but this? This was hers.
She didn’t need her best friend stepping in to save her like she often saved her sanity.
She’d been a jagged starburst in a world made for smooth-edged pegs her entire life.
Sure, the universe seemed to be getting off on taking swings at her lately, but she was more stubborn than the stupid universe.
She’d figure this out armed with snacks, caffeine, and a fierce vendetta against any more personal calamities.