Chapter 17
MAX
Ishouldn’t care whether her coffee shop succeeds.
But I do.
I won’t even be here that long.
And yet…something in her voice made me want to help with more than just the sink. She wasn’t pleading or begging for help. More like speaking her thoughts out loud.
Having a good team to help brainstorm and troubleshoot has been one of the most important parts of my business model. She probably needs some of that.
The question is, do I wait until she texts me and we go out? Or do I try to offer to help again the next time I see her?
I’m getting ahead of myself again.
Hopefully, the repair holds.
I make my way back to Mike’s Plumbing Shop on the other side of town. He let me borrow the tools in exchange for my passport and twenty bucks. Honestly, I thought it was a solid deal.
When I arrive, I hold up the bag. “Thanks again. I think it’s fixed.”
“You think?” Mike asks with a grin.
“I didn’t have you there to double check.”
He laughs. “Sometimes you just do your best and hope you don’t get a second call too close to the last one.”
“Appreciate it,” I say.
He hands my passport back, then grabs a few parts before heading toward his truck.
“Busy season?” I ask.
“Always, especially this time of year.”
I hesitate, then say, “Can I ask you something? Why doesn’t anyone go to the coffee shop?”
“What coffee shop?”
I blink. “The one down past the marina.”
“I didn’t know there was one there. Is it new?”
I laugh. “Yeah, it’s been open for like a week or something. Maybe two? I’ve only been here a few days.”
“I might not be the best one to comment on it, but it might need a bit more marketing, or a bigger sign,” he says. “People are loyal. It might take a little time to get them to see there are options in this town. Get Gina on board, and sales will go through the roof.”
I can see that.
“Hey,” Mike says as I turn to leave. “I had a job get delayed. If you still need plumbing work on that building, I could come by tomorrow afternoon.”
“That would be great. Talia’s been trying to line someone up.”
There’s a flicker of hesitation in his expression. “You’re working with Talia?”
“Yes.”
“Are you sure about her?”
My stomach tightens. “Why wouldn’t I be?”
“She doesn’t have a ton of experience,” he says carefully. “And her family’s reputation hasn’t been great lately.”
“That was her dad,” I say. “She deserves a shot.”
Mike studies me for a moment. “Fair enough.”
“If it goes badly,” I add, “we’ll fix it. Do it right.”
He raises an eyebrow. “Your company would redo everything?”
“If needed.”
No one here needs to know I own the building. Things get complicated fast when people know too much. I like people talking to Max Luca. It’s a refreshing change from the gold diggers talking to Max Bauer.
He gives a low whistle. “Let me know if tomorrow works for her.”
“I will.”
As I head out, I remind myself to keep things simple. And to take things one day at a time.