He doesn’t say anything for a minute, flipping through the pages of my business plan on his iPad screen.

I shift my weight from one foot to another about a hundred times before I finally can’t take it anymore. “So? What do you think?”

He looks up from his screen, giving me a soft smile. “I think you should go for it.”

“Really?” Based on my morning of numbers and calculations and projections, I know a profit is a ways off, and certainly not guaranteed. But it definitely boosts my confidence to hear it’s possible from someone who knows what he’s talking about. “And you think you might have some people who could be interested? I think we’re going to have to move fast or this place is going to get snatched up.”

“I’m sure I could find someone.”

“Okay. Can we get that ball rolling, like today preferably?” Now that I’ve made the decision, I need this place to be mine. My brain has latched on to all the possibilities and I want contracts signed and keys in hand.

“I could. But I’m not going to.” He crosses his arms over his chest, like he’s preparing for a standoff. “Let me do this with you, Sade.”

I open my mouth to list all the reasons why it’s a terrible idea.

“Stop. Just listen for one minute, okay?”

I glare at him, but I purse my lips and tap the nonexistent watch on my wrist.

“This is a good investment. I spent the afternoon double-checking your numbers, and everything checks out. You know I’ve always had plans to invest in some small businesses, and if I’m going to invest this money in someone’s risky idea, why shouldn’t it be yours?” He drops his hands, placing one on my shoulder. “I know you want to say no, but—”

“Of course I want to say no, Nicky. Not because I’m not grateful or because I don’t trust you, I just worry about what this could do to our friendship if things don’t work out.” Losing Nick might actually be worse than losing Jack at this point, he’s been a staple in my life for so long. And even if I trust Nick implicitly, which I do, there are no guarantees in business. My old job burned that lesson in my brain. Would he hold it against me if I ended up losing his money?

“Nothing could ever change our friendship. You mean way more to me than money, Sadie.” He gives me a little shake. “I have the means, you have the idea. You’re family. Let’s do this together.”