Page 3 of The Merger

“Want me to go with you?” Tate asks.

“Only if you can charm the pants off Aurora … literally. Save us both from my father.”

Tate gives me his best ornery smile. “You know I’m always up for a challenge.”

I laugh at him.I can always count on Tate.

“Speaking of challenges,” I say, taking another sip of my drink. “Can you still get good money from selling pictures of your feet?”

“I just paid a grand for one last night, so …”

“You did not.” I snort.

“You’re right. It was fifteen hundred.” He winks at me before settling back in his seat. “Why are we contemplating selling pictures of our feet?”

“Because I really,reallydon’t want to go back to selling insurance with Mom. Not only do I hate insurance with a passion, but I’ll have to admit that Plantcy was …what did she call it?” I think for a moment. “Impulsive, careless, and unrestrained.”

Tate watches me with a half smile but stays quiet. Even though I know he agrees with my mother, he won’t make me feel stupid. And if it comes down to it, he’ll take my side regardless. There’s no judgment with him.

“I had a business plan,” I say. “I found my niche. There’s virtually no competition for Plantcy. I mean, do you know of any other mobile plant sitters?”

He shakes his head and fights a chuckle.

“Ugh. Why is this so freaking hard?” I ask. “Why does it feel like this is falling apart around me?”

Tate leans forward, resting his forearms on his desk. “It’ll only fall apart if you let it.”

“You make it sound so easy.”

“It’s not easy, but it’s not impossible. How can I help? Need to brainstorm?”

I sigh. “I’m hoping I can parlay Courtney’s party next weekend into a job. Her godmother and I chatted about her struggle with orchids at Courtney’s last get-together. I’m hoping I can strike up another conversation with her, and one thing will lead to another.”

“I forgot about that party.”

“Not me. Courtney’s parties are always fun, and I need the distraction.”

Tate wiggles his brows.

“Stop it.” I shake my head. “The last time the two of you screwed around?—”

“Was a lot of fun.”

“It was a disaster! You two almost ruined our friend circle with your bullshit.”

He holds his hands in front of him. “We patched it up. All is well.”

Thankfully.

I sit back, resting against the chair’s soft fabric, and glance around Tate’s office. A picture of him with his mother and five siblings is on the shelf behind him. There’s a stack of books next to it that I bet he hasn’t read. On top of the books is a sad little succulent.

At least it’s not as malnourished as the philodendron downstairs.

I start to ask him if he’s going to the party when a bolt of inspiration hits me. I sit up in my seat, my mind racing.What if…

This isn’t what I had in mind for Plantcy, but it’s not a bad idea.

A thought begins to take shape, developing into a full-blown plan. And the longer I think about it, the more it makes sense.