30
Fuck me!
Dammit if Mr. Coble didn’t just cock block me.
I trudge after him as he leads me to his office all the way across campus.
When we arrive at his office, he unlocks and swings the door open. I follow him inside and take a seat in the lone brown leather chair this side of his oak desk. He walks to the other side and sits in the leather chair.
“Jaden,” he begins.
“Congratulations on your graduation.” He places a folder on his desk.
“Thank you, sir. I’m glad it’s finally over.” I smile and wait for him to resume.
Flipping open the folder, he takes out a few pieces of paper and separates them.
“I’m sure you’re wondering why I asked you to come with me.” He looks at me, and I nod.
“Well. I know this wasn’t exactly what your plans were. I’d heard something about you moving to New York City to open a restaurant.”
“Yes, sir. That was my plan.” I sit back and cross my left leg over my right.
“Let me tell you about our offer.” He picks up the papers, then lays them back down, facing me.
“Well, sir. To be completely honest, I’m reconsidering moving. A lot has changed in the past two years for me.”
Blaire, that’s what’s changed. I’m staying here to be with her. To build my life with her. Having my own restaurant in my hometown is a bonus. Especially if she’ll help me run it. Without Blaire in my life, owning a place in the Big Apple wouldn’t be the same. It may have been my only dream over two years ago, but dreams change. Plans change. She’s my dream now.
“Jaden. What’s changed?” Mr. Coble asks, bringing me out of my thoughts.
“Oh yeah. I’m thinking about looking around town for something. Although, I don’t want to compete with The Oasis, and I don’t think it’s for sale.”
“You’re right, it’s not. But my friend and I want to offer you this and receive forty percent of your business.” He stands and leans over his desk, pointing to the large sum of capital.
My eyes grow wide and my heart races. I swallow hard. This offer sounds great, but I didn’t plan to give up that much of my company.
“May I?” I ask as I sit forward and reach for one of the papers.
“Yes, please read over them. Take them with you and have your lawyer read them. I’m sure they are all in proper order.” He pulls all the papers together, then slides them into a manila folder.
Taking the folder in hand, I open it and slide out the first page. My eyes skim over it when I see a name I don’t know. A Mr. Vince Steele. My eyes lift and shift around the office. I ask Mr. Coble, “Who is Mr. Steele?”
“Ah. I didn’t expect you to know Vinny.” Mr. Coble sits back down. He leans forward, placing his arms on his desk, clasping his hands together.
“He used to be the head culinary instructor before becoming the university’s president. He’s now retired and came to me with this idea to offer you a helping hand. A leg up, so to speak.” He smiles and nods his head.
“He knows all about having big dreams and wants to help make yours come true. And now that you’re planning on staying local, I’m sure he’ll be even more excited.”
“Things have changed for me; I’d like to meet Mr. Steele before we agree on anything. Could we meet for dinner at The Oasis tomorrow night?”
“Sure, thing, Jaden. I’ll call Vinny and have him meet us there. Say, eight o’clock?”
“That’ll be fine. I’ll talk with my business lawyer and have him review your proposal in the afternoon.” I stand and extend my hand to Mr. Coble. He shakes my hand without standing.
“I look forward to meeting Mr. Steele and moving forward with this joint venture.”
“See you tomorrow evening, Jaden.”
I turn and walk out of his office. I rush back to Blaire’s classroom, hoping to see her, and pick up where we left off, but the door is locked and the room is dark.