“I don’t even have a real business plan.” I tuck my hands under his arms, trying not to fixate on how both he and Gemma suggested investors like they’re an actual possibility.

“You have a business degree, right?”

I nod.

“So write a business plan. Think about how far Bridge and Blooms has come in the past few months. How much you’ve been able to grow your business even just working out of the kitchen. I’m sure there are tons of investors who’d be interested.” He leans down and plants a soft kiss on my upturned lips. “And if there aren’t—which there will be—then you happen to have one right here.”

I take a step back. “No.” I shake my head, as if the very clear declaration isn’t enough. “Nope. No way. I don’t want your money, Jack. I don’t want you giving me this space.”

He holds up his hands in mock surrender. “First off, I wouldn’t be giving it to you. It’d be an investment. Second, I believe in your business and would be happy to support you. And third, I . . .” He trails off, running a hand through his curls, making them stand straight up in a really stupid-cute way.

“Third?” Stepping back into his bubble, I grab the front of his coat.

“I want you to be happy.”

“I don’t need you to buy me a business in order to make me happy, Jack of Diamonds.”

“I feel like that one is a little on the nose for this particular moment.” He wraps his arms around my waist, pulling me into his chest. “Let’s just look at the space and go from there, yeah? You might not even like it.”

“Jack Thomas?” A chipper voice, accompanied by the click-clack of high heels on concrete, interrupts us. A woman in her midthirties, dressed in fantastic skinny jeans, an emerald-green silk blouse, and a black blazer under her wool coat sticks out her hand for Jack to shake. “Kristen Sullivan. Pleasure to meet you.” She holds out her hand to me next.

“Sadie Green.”

Her shake is firm and quick. She gestures to the front door of the storefront. “Shall we?”

Jack and I follow her into the building, and I realize I’ve been holding my breath. When we cross the threshold, it slowly trickles out of me. Kristen flicks on the overhead lights and gestures widely to the open space.

Jack stays by Kristen as she starts rattling off facts about the property. Size, square footage, blah blah blah.