The musty air hung heavy in the closed-off space. Seth reopened the door, using the brace at the top to keep it ajar. Hopefully that would bring fresh air into the place.
Mr. Landers plopped himself into the only chair, conveniently located just to the left of the door. Seth wondered if he kept one available in every empty storefront so he could sit when showing it.
Karlee and Chris headed toward the back, obviously eager to see what they could salvage. The less they would need to remodel, the better.
Seth’s gaze swept the open area, which looked bigger than he remembered. Black and white tile covered the floor, and other than a few tiles showing wear, they seemed in good condition. The walls were painted a plain cream, which would have to be redone. A long pink counter ran perpendicular to the frontwindows. An empty shelf of the same pink plastic laminate ran the entire wall behind the counter, leaving room for the door to the back.
Seth stepped through the door and was surprised to see a stove since the previous business had sold frozen yogurt. To the right of the stove stood another pink counter, with a large industrial sink set inthe middle. Shelving and cabinets lined the other walls.
Although Karlee and Chris spoke in hushed tones, Seth could feel their excitement. He moved to stand with them and waited for them to take a breath.
They both looked at him and smiled, showing they had already made up their minds.
“Are you guys sure?” he asked unnecessarily.
Their growing smiles were all the confirmation he needed. His stomach rolled and he swallowed hard, pasting a smile on his own face. If this was what Karlee wanted, he would be supportive.
“I’m going to talk numbers with Landers,” Karlee told him before heading out front, leaving him alone with Chris.
Seth glanced around, unable to see what she and Chris seemed to envision.
“Out with it,” Chris ordered, his voice low.
Seth shook his head, but kept his eyes on the floor.
Chris’s fingers slid under Seth’s chin. He lifted his face until Seth looked him in the eye. “Out with it.”
Seth sighed. He was going to sound like a rotten friend. “I’m just not as sure about this.”
“I know you’re scared.” He released Seth’s chin. “Is it me? Are you worried I will cheat her?”
He took a deep breath. “At first, yes, I wasn’t sure. And it’s not just that we didn’t know if you could really cook. It’s just…I’m protective of Karlee. We’ve been friends forever and we always have each other’s backs. She’s going to be a mom soon and I don’t want her struggling the way my mom did while I was growing up.” Seth took a breath and backed away. Chris’s scent was doing things to him that he shouldn’t be thinking about at the moment.
Chris stepped forward, closing the distance. “I’m sorry your mom went through all that. And you.” Hetucked a wayward strand of Seth’s hair behind his ear.
Seth closed his eyes and shivered at the small touch. His eyelids flew open when Chris cupped his cheek.
“I know you don’t know me well, Seth, but this is my dream, too. I understand she’s placing a lot of trust in me, but I want this just as bad as she does.”
Seth leaned into the touch and sighed. “I trust Karlee. I really do. And it’s not that I don’t trust you, because I do. Deep inside I know you would never do anything to harm her or the business.”
Chris dropped his hand, his eyes widening. “You trust me?”
“Of course,” Seth answered with no hesitation.
“Why?”
Seth’s cheeks burned as he realized he was admitting how he felt to the man. “I…I just do. I feel a connection…I mean, I feel like you’re a good…guy.”
A smile played at Chris’s lips. “You feel the connection, too?”
Seth nodded. His heart raced, and he trembled as he looked into Chris’s eyes.
“We can sign papers tomorrow,” Karlee announced as she flounced through the door.
Chris shot her a smile. “That’s great. He agreed with the rent we discussed?”
She grinned. “Actually, the rent is even cheaper. By one hundred dollars.”
They high-fived while Seth watched and tried to pull himself together. He trusted them both and they both wanted this. He needed to stop worrying and just go with it. Besides, he knew if anyone could pull this off, it was Karlee.
* * * *
Within two days, the contracts were signed, Karlee and Chris had met to sketch the rough idea of what they both wanted and needed, and Chris called a friend that worked in construction. Joey would take a look at the place the next day and put together some numbers for them.