Chapter 16
Fortunately, Fiona had a full day ahead to keep her from freaking out too much. She had a long phone call with Norm to catch up on his new life in California. He’d told her that Norm’s had already been rented out to a friend of his, who would be turning it into an upscale nail salon and spa.
That could work to their advantage, Fiona thought. Their Savannah Glam clients could get their nails done, grab lunch and then have their hair, makeup and outfit styled all in one building.
If they managed to snag that space before Porter and David, that is. It was a bit of a challenge, but she was sure they’d figure something out. Hopefully.
After a couple afternoon hair clients, and then another hour pacing in her apartment until her friends showed up, Fiona was feeling even more anxious.
She hadn’t told her friends anything about Porter yet. That kind of news had to be delivered in person.
“Hello!” Stella said in a sing-songy voice as she let herself in. “I brought some bubbly, just in case we have something to celebrate.”
She put the champagne in the fridge, and sank into Fiona’s worn out couch. Cassie followed shortly behind, an intimidatingly thick folder in her arms.
Once Fiona had them settled in with glasses of iced tea, she took a breath.
“So, something happened today,” she said, pacing in front of them. “After you two left, Porter showed up.”
Stella gasped. “Did he want to talk about that almost kiss situation?”
“No, thankfully,” Fiona told her. “But it was kind of worse.”
“How?” Cassie asked, frowning.
“Well…” Fiona said, trying to delay the inevitable. “He told me that he and David are interested in renting that space, and expanding the restaurant.”
Cassie and Stella were silent, each of them processing the news.
Stella spoke first. “Did you tell him you were interested in it?”
“Nope,” Fiona told her. “And I don’t plan to. It wouldn’t change anything, but it would make things even more awkward between us.”
She collapsed into a chair, defeated.
“So then I got to thinking about that upstairs space…”
“Absolutely not,” Cassie said, surprising both Fiona and Stella.
“Really?” Fiona asked.
“Do you have any idea how much money and upfront work that would be? We are a brand new business, Fi. It would be beautiful, but we can’t afford that kind of risk”
“I agree with Cass,” Stella said, sympathetically. “I also loved that upstairs rental, but the main floor option would take hardly any work, you know? Sure, it’s a little small. But we could definitely make it work.”
Fiona nodded, trying to put the images she’d conjured up of that upstairs place out of her mind.
“Look, this is business,” Cassie told them. “We have no clue what Porter and David will end up doing, and we shouldn’t let that affect our decisions. I ran some numbers today, and with what you two are each paying for those suites, we could cover the monthly rent for the move-in ready option. There will still be utilities and fees and maintenance and all of that, but with the way things are going, I don’t see it being an issue. Plus, I looked at what else is available in the area. This place blows everything else out of the water by a mile.”
Fiona felt dumbfounded. Cassie, the cautious, skeptical one, thought they should go for it?
“I…agree with Cassie. Again,” Stella said, surprise in her voice. “And if we fail and have to close our doors, well, Porter and David can take the place then.”
Fiona frowned, considering.
“You know what? You’re both right. David and Porter might change their minds completely. It’s not like we can wait for them to make a decision.”
“Exactly,” Cassie said, adjusting her glasses. “Plus, I started doing some sketches of the space, so I’m already getting invested.”
“Show me!” Stella said, nearly grabbing the folder from Cassie.
“There’s just one thing,” Cassie said, handing the sketches to Stella.
“What’s that?” Fiona asked.
“My dad is definitely going to want to check out the space before we make any decisions,” Cassie said. “But I think we should call Laura back and try to set something up with all of us.”
Fiona pulled out her phone.
“Stella, would your parents want to come, too?”
Stella just laughed. “Oh please, unless the big news is that I’m marrying some wealthy Auburn alum, my parents don’t want to hear it.”
“Fair enough,” Fiona said, and dialed Laura’s number.