Just One Kiss. Susan Mallery

the small desk under the window and removed a file. It was her business plan—the one she’d been working on for years.

      She returned to the kitchen and spread out the papers.

      Everything was there. The cost of the lease, money for minor renovations, equipment, supplies and some promotions. There were cost projections, income estimates and a profit-and-loss statement.

      “We could do it,” she breathed. “It would be tight.”

      “I have some money I’ve saved,” Ava told her. “I’d want to invest in the business. That way we’re really partners.”

      “We’re partners no matter what.”

      “I want to do this, Patience. I want you to open the business and I want to help.”

      Patience returned to her seat. “I’m terrified. I’d have to quit my job with Julia to do this.” Which meant giving up the security of a regular paycheck. She would also have to take on the lease and hire people.

      Her stomach churned. Somehow dreaming was a whole lot easier than facing the possibility of trying and failing. Yet even as she wondered if she could, she knew there wasn’t really a choice. She’d been given a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Great-Aunt Becky’s gift deserved more than her being afraid.

      “You want to do this?” she asked.

      “Absolutely.”

      “Then we will.” She drew in a breath. “I’ll call Josh about the building I have my eye on and get an appointment to see it as soon as possible. Once we figure out if that’s the right space, we can move forward.”

      She stood and her mother did the same. They faced each other.

      “We’re really doing this,” Patience said, laughing.

      “We are!”

      They hugged each other and started jumping up and down. Lillie appeared on the stairs.

      “What’s going on?”

      “We’re opening the coffeehouse,” Patience said, holding out her arm so her daughter could join them.

      “Really? Are you going to call it Brew-haha?”

      “I am.”

      “Can I help?”

      “Yes.”

      They hugged and jumped and screamed and danced. When they were all exhausted but still grinning, Ava motioned for them to follow her.

      “This calls for ice cream,” she said. “Let’s all go get hot fudge sundaes.”

      Patience laughed. “I’ve always admired your style, Mom.”

      * * *

      “JUSTICE?”

      Justice turned at the sound of his name. Patience stood on the other side of the street, waving at him.

      The sight of her—worn jeans hugging curves, a T-shirt featuring a white cat with a martini in one paw, long, wavy hair fluttering in the light breeze—hit him in the gut. And lower. Her smile made his mouth curve up, and her enthusiastic wave drew him.

      In the fifteen years they’d been apart, he’d never forgotten her, even as he’d wondered if he was remembering more than there was. Now, watching her practically dance in place as he crossed the street to get closer, he knew he’d missed out on the main point. Patience in real life was far more vibrant than any of his recollections.

      “Guess what?” she asked as he stepped onto the curb. She grabbed his arm and literally bounced in place. “Guess! Guess!” She squeezed his biceps and grinned. “You’ll never guess, so I’ll tell you.”

      Her brown eyes glowed with excitement and her skin was flushed. She looked like someone who had just won the lottery. Or been thoroughly kissed. He found himself fervently hoping for the former and thinking he would have to have a serious talk with someone if it was the latter.

      “My great-aunt Becky died!”

      “And that’s a good thing?”

      “Oh.” The bounce slowed. “You’re right. Of course I’m not happy she’s dead. It’s sad. Apparently she lived a long and happy life, though.”

      “You didn’t know her?”

      “I met her when I was four. I don’t remember, but apparently I liked her a lot. She liked me, too, and was a fabulously generous woman.” She paused expectantly. “She left me a hundred thousand dollars!”

      He smiled. “So that’s what all this is about?”

      She started bouncing again. “Can you believe it? A hundred thousand dollars! That’s so much money. My mom and I were talking last night. I can pay off the mortgage and put money aside for Lillie’s college.”

      She leaned toward him, the scent of vanilla and something floral drifting to him. “I’m a hairstylist. I love my customers, but some of the guys tip me fifty cents. There was no way I could have saved for Lillie’s college. My mom does well as a software programmer, but her medical insurance is hugely expensive. Some of her medications aren’t covered. She helps, but she has to take care of herself. This money means security for us. I never thought I’d have that.”

      Patience released him and spun in a circle. “But you know the best part?”

      He shook his head, grateful he didn’t have to speak. Because with her dancing around him, he found his brain wasn’t actually in working order. And other parts of him were starting to take over. Need began to pulse in rhythm with his heart, and had they been anywhere but on a public corner in the middle of Fool’s Gold, he would have pulled her close and kissed her. Then he would have done a whole lot more.

      “There’s going to be money left over.”

      It took him a second to catch up. “From the inheritance?”

      She nodded vigorously. “Look.”

      She pointed across the street to a vacant storefront. “Isn’t it perfect?”

      The building wasn’t all that remarkable. A door, windows and space inside. But he knew that wasn’t the point. To Patience, this was her dream.

      Justice was also going to open a business. It seemed the next logical step. He was sure it would be successful and that he would enjoy the work, but it wasn’t a dream. He didn’t allow that much wanting in his life.

      “It’s perfect,” he told her, enjoying the way she gazed at the building—as if it were magical.

      “I know exactly how it’s going to look,” she told him. “I already have my business plan. I worked so hard to get my plans together and to save, but honestly I never thought I had a chance.”

      He reached out and squeezed her hand. “I’m really happy for you. Congratulations.”

      “Thank you.” She laced her fingers with his. “Come with me. I’m meeting Eddie right now. She’s going to let me in so I can check out the space.”

      Her sparkling brown eyes compelled him to agree. “Sure.”

      She drew in a breath and leaned into him. “I’ll try not to make high-pitched girlie sounds. I live with a ten-year-old and know how shrill they can be.”

      “You can squeal all you want. This is exciting.”

      “I know.”

      She hung on to his hand with both of hers. He would guess that if he pointed out what she was doing, she would pull back and be embarrassed, which he didn’t want. Her enthusiasm reminded him there was plenty of joy left in the world, and that was a lesson he needed.

      She tugged him along as she crossed the street. “Obviously the location is fabulous,” she said, practically vibrating with enthusiasm. “Look. We’re