Tears pushed against her eyelids. Only the thought of having to restart the salads held them back. Yes. Her cousin could help, Wes could help, his brothers could help. But she’d used the sale of her apartment in L.A. to finance this venture and she was doing it. Her store was succeeding.
“That’s the thing, it isn’t a hurdle based on my business. It’s the rent. It’s a ridiculous increase. The association is talking about how to fight against it.”
“Have you talked to Wes?”
She scooped cucumbers into each of the cups. “No. Why would I? I mean, about this.” She knew why she didn’t. He’d be all over trying to fix it and she was feeling just helpless enough to let him. Money and friends—hell, money and family—didn’t mix.
“I know you like to pretend that he’s just an everyday buddy, but Hailey, he’s loaded. He probably has a half-dozen lawyers on retainer and speed dial.”
Her shoulders fell. Did no one believe in her? What would Fiona, or Wes, say if Hailey didn’t have a rich friend in her back pocket? She didn’t like to think about Wes’s money. “I’m not asking anyone to swoop in and fix my problems. This is part of running a company and I can do this. I will do this. It’s a setback, not an ending.”
“You know there’s such a thing as having too much pride, right? I’m not saying you do. Just don’t rule out all of your options because you think it says something negative to ask for help. When I decided to write full-time, I was terrified I couldn’t swing it and at first, I didn’t. I moved back in with my parents for six months. I felt like a total failure. Like I should have realized quitting my job to chase a dream was idiotic. Those six months damaged my pride but I recouped it when I landed on my feet.”
Hailey smiled at her, doing her best to turn her own mood around. “I appreciate you sharing that. I won’t rule anything out. I just don’t want to wave a ‘help me’ flag at the first sign of trouble.”
They were finishing up the salads that Hailey would deliver first thing in the morning, dressings on the side—shoot, she needed to remember to order more mini to-go containers. A knock on the front door brought her chin up, making her realize how long she’d been hunched over. Wes stood on the other side of the door, a tall, dark-haired teenager at his side. She remembered those years well—those ages where she’d felt so grown-up, ready to take on the world, but young enough to believe the world wouldn’t fight back. Ha. Those years. You felt like that before the rent increase.
Brushing her hands off on her apron, she went to let them in. She smiled at Wes, then greeted the teen. “You must be Leo.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
She locked the door after them. “Call me Hailey. This is my friend Fiona.”
Wes and Fiona said hello after Leo shook her hand.
“That’s a lot of salad,” Wes said.
“Catering gig,” Fiona said, setting the prepared cups in a flat so they could be transferred to the walk-in fridge.
“You’re letting Fiona help.” Wes’s gaze twinkled.
“She has her food safety certificate. Trust me, it’s an uneven trade at best,” Hailey said, shooting Fiona a look.
Her friend laughed. “She’s right. I might still owe her even after this.”
“Have a seat, Leo,” Hailey said.
“I’ll go help Fiona,” Wes said, giving Leo an encouraging shoulder squeeze.
Leo brushed a hand through his short, curly hair. He waited for Hailey to sit before taking the chair across from her.
“This is fairly informal, Leo. I need help desperately with the Christmas season coming and Wes has already vouched for you. Tell me why you want to work here.” She’d never interviewed anyone before but he didn’t have to know that. It was kind of thrilling but she was nervous too. She might need this kid more than he needed her.
“I like working. I’m saving for college.” Simple. He reminded her of Wes when they’d had dinner with Aidan and Ana. She smiled, wondering if Wes had coached him: “say only what needs to be said.”
She felt Fiona and Wes’s presence and momentarily wondered if she should have googled what to ask in job interviews. She cleared her throat, reminded herself she was in charge. “You’ll have a variety of duties, including helping customers, prep work, and deliveries. I don’t mind training you for each of those things and others as they come up.”
He leaned in, his gaze more mature than his years. “Whatever you throw my way, I’ll catch it. I’ll do my best. You have my word.”