Page 100 of Brewing Up My Fresh Start

Heat burns my cheeks. David knows about Grayson. Of course he’s been watching my life, waiting for the perfect moment to strike when I’m most vulnerable.

“My business relationships are none of your concern.”

“Perhaps not. But your grants are public record, and your development plans are exactly what my company helps communities implement.”

“I don’t need your help.”

“Are you sure? Federal historic preservation funding is complicated. Lots of regulations, compliance requirements, reporting deadlines. Easy to make mistakes that could cost you everything.”

The threat hangs between us. David’s not offering help—he’s pointing out how easily he could destroy what I’ve built.

“I can handle my own projects.”

“Of course you can. You always were capable.” David’s voice turns softer, fake kindness dripping from every word. “I’m just saying it would be easier with experienced support. Especially since your contractor partner seems to have abandoned ship.”

“Grayson didn’t abandon anything.”

“No? Then where is he while you’re handling federal compliance alone?”

The question stings because I’ve been asking myself the same thing. Where is Grayson while I navigate bureaucracy and interviews and community expectations by myself? Why did he choose his investors over me the second things got complicated?

“He’s dealing with business matters.”

“Ah, business. Always comes first, doesn’t it?” David’s smile turns knowing. “Especially when personal feelings start affecting profit margins.”

“Get out of my coffee shop.”

“I’m trying to help, Michelle. Same as always.”

“You never helped me. You used me.”

“And now another is using you the same way.” David’s voice hardens. “At least when we worked together, you got credit for your ideas. What credit are you getting now?”

The accusation lands harder than it should. Because part of me has wondered the same thing—whether Grayson needed my community connections to make his development work. Whether I was just another useful resource.

“That’s different.”

“Is it? He got you to support his project, rally community backing, provide grant expertise. Then he disappeared when things got messy.”

“Stop talking.”

“I’m not trying to hurt you. I’m trying to protect you from repeating the same mistake.” David’s voice turns gentle again, the tone he used when he wanted me to trust him. “Some men are good at making women feel important while they’re useful.”

“You don’t know anything about Grayson.”

“I know he left you to handle everything alone. I know he’s not here fighting for your partnership.” David leans closer. “I know he gave up on you.”

“You don’t know why he left.”

“Enlighten me.”

I open my mouth to defend Grayson, then realize I don’t have a defense. Because I don’t know why he left either. One day we were partners building something beautiful, the next he was calling our relationship a professional mistake.

“That’s what I thought.” David’s smile turns satisfied. “I’m not here to cause problems. I’m here because I see an opportunity for both of us.”

“What kind of opportunity?”

“You have grants and community support. I have development expertise and capital. We could create something bigger than either of us could manage alone.”