Melly’s asleep when Pania shows up at seven-thirty, and I have the wine bottle open.

“A woman after my own heart,” she says as I hand her a glass.

“I figured we could both do with it after today.”

She nods. “Given any more thought about what you’re going to do?”

I sigh, leaning back in my chair. “I’ve thought of nothing else.”

“You have to go, Delaney. Give him the chance to have his family together. And give yourself what you always wanted. You two are on fire when you’re together.”

She says that just as I take a mouthful of wine, and I spray it all over the living room as I nearly choke with laughter. “On fire.”

Pania laughs. “I didn’t mean you have to literally set fire to things.”

“I don’t really want to burn the business down before I make up my mind about it.”

“Do you want my opinion?” She fixes her hazel eyes on me, and I know I’m going to get it whether I want it or not.

“Sure.”

“I think you should sell. It’s done well here, and you’ll find a buyer. I can manage it until it sells, and most importantly it’ll give you a little nest egg for your new life.”

I nod. “Makes sense.”

“I know you two want this to work, but maybe having the money of your own will give you a little piece of mind in case it doesn’t.”

Swallowing hard, I nod again. I hate that idea, but I’ve also been in a situation already in my life when I had nothing, and only the small inheritance from my grandmother got me started in business. Pania’s right in that regard.

Besides, I’ve never not paid my own way. No matter how much Josh earns, I’ll still want to contribute in whatever way I can.

“If I do this, I want to try and make sure that Trina and Jo still have jobs with the new owner.”

Pania nods. “I think that’s fair. I mean, worst case too is that it doesn’t sell, and we find someone to run it for us.”

I blow out a breath. “That is another option.”

She smiles. “This is real. I can’t believe it, but this is all real. I’m so happy for you.”

“I can’t quite believe it all myself.” I bite my bottom lip. “I’ll grab my laptop, and we’ll start making some plans.”

And just like when we originally planned to go into business together, we sit and drink wine while we dream of my future.

Regardless of what happens, we’ll always be close.

She’s the peanut to my butter. The Minnie to my Mickey.

Of everyone I know, Pania will be the hardest to leave behind.

But I know she’ll always have my back as I’ll always have hers.

* * *