ME: Hey. I just sent you a whole file of shit. Can you look at it and tell me what you think?

NICK: Is this about the storefront?

ME: Good god, are there no secrets among us anymore?

NICK: Gem told us the other night and Jack mentioned it this morning.

ME: Jack mentioned it? How so? What did he say? Is he trying to finagle something?

NICK: Oh my god, chill. He just said you guys found a cool space last night but that you seemed really against him giving you the money.

ME: I’m not taking his money.

NICK: If you wanna throw away $200k from a man who is clearly beyond when it comes to you, not my place to try and change your mind.

ME: See, the way you phrased that makes it seem like you want to change my mind.

NICK: I’d take his money.

ME: That’s because you’ve always had money and you don’t know what a serious power imbalance it’d create in our relationship.

NICK: Yeah yeah. It’s free money.

ME: It’s not free.

ME: I really like him, Nicky. I don’t want to fuck this up.

NICK: I don’t want you to fuck this up either.

ME: Thanks for the vote of confidence. Can you look everything over please?

NICK: Yeah, give me an hour.

I spend the hour doing more research. All right, much of said research happens on Pinterest, but it still counts. Trying to find the cutest DIY ways to spruce up the shop is a 100 percent productive use of my time.

My phone chirps almost exactly sixty minutes after our conversation.

NICK: Is there any way you can set up an appointment with the Realtor for this afternoon? I’d like to meet you both there, take some pics, add them to your business plan so I can pass it along to some people.

ME: Um, yes?

ME: You think it’s ready for that? You think I’m ready for that?

NICK: I’m not gonna lie, it’s a risk, but I think you’ve got a solid presentation and an opportunity for decent profit. Let me know when to meet you.

Two hours later, after running home to change into something less college finals week, I meet Nick and Kristen back in front of the store. Before she even opens the door, Nick peppers her with questions, and this time, I actually listen, making note of utilities and décor restrictions and permit requirements.

Nick snaps photos as we walk and talk, jotting down notes, and once even pulling out a measuring tape to check the numbers. After a quick but thorough inspection of the outdoor garden, Nick asks Kristen to give us a minute. She’s already got her phone pressed to her ear as she makes her way back out front.