Total pages in book: 64
Estimated words: 61248 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 306(@200wpm)___ 245(@250wpm)___ 204(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 61248 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 306(@200wpm)___ 245(@250wpm)___ 204(@300wpm)
Besides, we have unfinished business that requires negotiation, preferably without our clothes on, but I’ll take Sofia any way I can get her, too.
Chapter Ten
Sofia
The next morning, only twenty-four hours after reconnecting with Harper, I’ve barely opened the store when my father stops by with breakfast tacos and coffee. We huddle at my desk to have a quick chat before he heads out to see to a meeting. “Before you ask, it’s not signed. Nick was just too busy to help, and I wasted valuable time waiting on him. I had to get another attorney.”
“Are you kidding me? With as much business as we give that man, he couldn’t make time for something this big? Do you need me to call him?”
“No. I emailed him my new attorney’s notes, and he finally responded at three a.m. this morning and said she nailed all the critical points.”
“Did you agree to sign by a certain deadline?”
“I did, but per my attorney we’re negotiating in good faith so I should not panic over time. At this point, it’s just a matter of my attorney and the board’s legal team going back and forth on wording.”
“I’m glad to see your commitment to making this happen. When we had dinner the other night, I felt like something was holding you back.”
“I’ve had time to talk to my staff and figure out the schedules.”
“I can still help,” he offers, finishing off a taco and pulling another from the bag.
“You need to take care of your business, Dad. I got this. I promise. It’s not like we’re a major department store. Who’s your meeting with this morning? A big new client, I hope?”
“Actually,” he says, sipping his coffee, “a potential investor, and before you start worrying, I’ve landed a few large contracts, but distribution to meet those demands requires money. It’s a tricky part of getting the brand out there in a bigger way. At this stage, an influx of cash is what will get me to the next level.”
The next level must have been what appealed to Ethan.
“I actually need to go,” he adds, and downs the rest of his taco—following it with warm coffee—and stands. “Keep me posted.”
I’m on my feet, following him to the door. “Dad, before you say yes to anything, I’m getting some money with the contract execution. I’d love to invest in your business.”
“You invest in you, honey.” He turns and settles his hands on my shoulders. “Take that money and grow your business. If you sell Zoey to Moore’s, start a Sofia brand. Grow, baby, grow.”
“Dad—”
“I’m serious. I made a few mistakes when I was grieving your mother. I took my eye off the ball, but my business has since recovered. It’s hard for some to look past the bumps I had, but I’ll find the right investor.”
“I thought the company was struggling?”
“I landed a big local contract last week. It’s going to be a chunk of change that will hit the bank next month.”
“That’s amazing. Who?”
“Nevel Bar and Grill. They’re going to start with their dozen locations in Colorado, and if it goes well, they’ll pull us through to Texas, where they’re double that size.”
“They’re huge. That’s a big win. Congrats, Dad. I can’t believe you didn’t tell me.”
“Right now, I’m focused on execution. I think Nevel’s will look good to the investor. It’s how I got the meeting.” He kisses my forehead and smiles down at me. “Let me know when you sign the contract. We’ll pop champagne.”
“For both of us.”
“Yes. For both of us.” He motions to the desk. “Finish your breakfast. I’ll check on you later.”
“I’ll walk you out.”
We walk and talk, and a few minutes later, I’m back at my desk when my cellphone rings with Harper on my caller ID. “Tell me it’s done,” I answer.
“Ethan pushed our changes through the board, but it still has to be finalized by their legal team. The only challenge with that is their lead counsel’s slower than fucking Christmas.”
“Oh. That sucks. Now that I’ve decided I’m going to do this, I really want it done.”
“Were you ever not going to do it?”
“I was. Of course, I was, but I was also a mess over me and Ethan. Not that there’s a me and Ethan. I just—”
“Isn’t there?”
“Get the deal signed, right? Keep it professional.”
“He didn’t say that, if that’s what you think. I did. To both of you. I didn’t want the personal stuff to screw this up for either of you. But make no mistake, Sofia, that man is into you, in a big way.”
“I don’t know.”
“I know. And guess what just hit my inbox? We just got the contract back. Give me fifteen minutes to look it over. If it’s a go, I’ll send the final for signature in email and text you to let you know it’s there.”