“You’re truly talented, Alicia. I’m so impressed,” Max added and gave her shoulders a squeeze.
Monroe saw the tears in her eyes and she cleared her throat and stepped from the table, giving them a better amount of space to look at the piece. And look they did, at every detail and at her ability to be so meticulous.
“Are you sure this is what you had in mind?” she asked, standing to the side with her hands clasped in front of her.
“Baby, it looks incredible. It’s perfect. You’re amazing,” Caldwell told her and she chuckled, her cheeks turning a shade of pink.
“Now make this night even more perfect and tell me you made a decision about us backing you financially for your own shop and studio where you can sell this stuff and promote your talent,” Monroe said.
“God, Monroe, I’m just not certain. You make me feel like it’s possible.”
“It is possible. You can trust us,” he said and walked closer to her.
She shook her head.
“I don’t want to be in debt to you. I don’t want to ruin this friendship or business relationship. What if things go wrong? What if people don’t buy my work and don’t like it?”
“Honey, they already love your pieces on eBay. They’ll love it here in Chance and elsewhere. We know what we’re doing. We don’t back anyone who we don’t believe in or support or think won’t be successful,” Caldwell added.
“We’ll see. I need a little more time.”
“Okay, but know that we believe in your capabilities and talent,” Monroe told her.
“Who wouldn’t, after seeing this piece alone?” Max said, holding her gaze.
“How about a glass of wine and a look at what this piece appears like over the window downstairs?” Monroe suggested. He watched her expression change and she still looked kind of sad.
“Sure. That’s a great idea. Then you can make the final decision and I can start tomorrow.”
“Excellent,” Caldwell added and they headed down to the wine cellar with the glass piece in hand.
* * * *
Alicia was feeling a bit better. She had an easy time talking to Monroe and Caldwell, and was beginning to get used to Max’s hard expressions. He seemed very nice, too, and she was glad to become friends with them, but she was still uncertain about the business deal.
“I appreciate your compliments. I think I would have been shattered if you disliked my ideas. I have a personal attachment to each piece I make and sometimes I need a little transition time to give it away. But this one I just felt the three of you would love. I’m glad that you’re happy with it and don’t hate it as I feared. It would have been the perfect ending to a horrible day,” she said as she took another sip of wine. She didn’t know much about wine, but she did have her favorite white and red.
“What do you mean a horrible day? Did something happen?” Monroe asked her as they sat around the small wine-tasting table in front of the window.
“Well, it was just a hard one,” she said and thought about her brother and the way he acted.
“Anything we could help you with? You know, maybe talk about to get off your chest,” Caldwell suggested.
She shook her head.
“We just became friends and I’m also working for you now so it probably wouldn’t be a great idea to spill my guts.”
“Why not? Like you said, we’re friends now,” Caldwell said.
She smiled. “You’re sweet, and I appreciate that. I think we should keep this professional. After all, you’ve given me an opportunity to showcase my work and even offered to back me financially for the store. I think we have some details to work out but keeping it strictly business is a great idea. I won’t feel so vulnerable or at risk emotionally. I’ve had some bad experiences in my life that I don’t want to repeat.”
“We’ve all had bad experiences. Those are what make us stronger,” Monroe told her.
“You’re amazing, Monroe. I understand why you guys are so successful in business and in life. You have it all together. You’re strong, empowered, and confident.”
“You don’t see yourself as confident?” Max asked her.
She leaned back in the chair.