Reagan brought a leg onto the couch and rested her arm along the back. “That’s easy. All Gwen’s idea. We met our freshman year in high school and instantly became best friends. She always loved food and discovering new flavors. In high school, you always dream about what you’ll be when you grow up. Gwen knew very early on and she pursued it. Got a job at a restaurant as soon as she could, starting as a server and working her way up to line cook by the end of high school.”

Jill tapped her on the knee. “Okay. So how did you get involved?”

Reagan smiled. “Well, I’ve always loved numbers and logistics, so we made a plan that one day we’d open a restaurant together, Gwen as the chef and me on the business side of things. After she finished culinary school, she moved to Bloomington and found a job at a friend’s restaurant. I was still finishing my business degree at IU so we moved in together. And when she wasn’t working and I wasn’t studying, we spent our free time analyzing restaurants around the country. We looked for any information we could find—how long they took to open, were they successful or did they close, age of the head chef, who bankrolled it—anything and everything. When Gwen wasn’t helping with that, she was creating concept ideas and testing out recipes in our tiny galley kitchen. She had some definite fails, but some of the dishes she created are on the menu at The Silo or Wren.”

“Can I ask a question that might seem a little rude?” Jill asked, caressing Reagan’s knee.

Reagan furrowed her brow, wondering what the question could be that would need that kind of lead-in. “Go ahead.”

“How could you afford to open the first one? Opening a restaurant is expensive, right?”

“Heck yes, it is. Thankfully, both Gwen and I have been working since we were fifteen. With my parents’ help and some scholarships, college only cost me a few grand a year. I also had a knack for numbers and enjoyed investing. Aside from a few splurges, I saved or invested every dollar I made in high school and college. By the time we had a solid concept and menu put together I had enough saved up to start us out.”

“What about Gwen? Didn’t she have to contribute anything?”

“Oh, she contributed the most important part—the food and the ideas. We wouldn’t be where we are without her amazing skills in the kitchen.”

“So, you trusted her that much that you put all your money into her?”

“Of course. She’s my best friend. I trust her and will always put my faith in her.”

“Oh,” Jill replied in a despondent voice, shifting her gaze away.

“What’s wrong?”

“I’m fine.”

“Don’t bullshit me, Jill. You got all quiet.”