His gray gaze settled on her face. “That sounds rational. But this isn’t a rational subject.”
“Why not? We’re together because she’s gone. You don’t have to pretend you don’t want it to be different. That you don’t miss her.”
Ignoring the fact that neither of them wanted a commitment, even if either of them was more traditional and wanted it all, she would still have to tend with a ghost in his past. A first love. It wasn’t about being loved more or fighting memories. Loving Marie had made him who he was. She was a part of him, just as Taryn’s past was a part of her.
If they were on a different course, she would still be okay with what had come before. Because the alternative was to fight what she could never change.
“I don’t want you to pretend you don’t love her,” Taryn told him. “I like that you do. It makes you one of the good guys.”
He pulled her close again. This time he hung on so tight she found it difficult to catch her breath. But that was okay—because when it came to Angel, she’d discovered she liked the feeling that he would never let go.
* * *
TARYN STARED AT the columns of numbers. She hated going over the books of a business. It was one of the reasons she was so fond of Sam. He protected her from that at Score. But he wasn’t involved in her partnership at Paper Moon, and as he was still sulking because she insisted he plan the upcoming company party with Dellina, and he didn’t want to, she had been pretty sure he would refuse any request for a favor.
Which was why she was stuck hunched over Isabel’s desk, reviewing monthly statements and fighting a tension headache. She scanned the receipts for the construction, then checked the receivables and payables.
“You’re coming in slightly under budget on the remodeling,” she said. “Is this all the receipts for fixtures?”
Isabel sat opposite her. “Yes. I got a great deal on some racks I wanted. Technically they were used but they never got out of the box. The people who bought them had a store that went under before it opened.”
“A lesson to us all.”
They’d decided to keep the two sides of the business distinctly different. Brides shopping for wedding gowns wanted the special experience of soft lighting, romantic music and gigantic dressing rooms. On the “regular” retail side, the design was more edgy, the music more rock and there was a whole lot less tulle.
Taryn straightened. “You’re doing great.” She opened her tote and pulled out a check that represented the final installment of her hundred-thousand-dollar investment. With it, Isabel would buy inventory and hire extra staff for both sides.
Isabel took the check and sighed. “We’re really doing this.”
“We are.” Taryn smiled at her. “I thought a lot about what you said about Madeline. Bringing her into the business. I think that’s a good idea. As you said, make her manager of the wedding gown side of things. Giving her skin in the game will make her even more motivated. Although you’re going to have to warn her that initially there won’t be any profits for her to share in.”
Taryn opened a folder and handed Isabel a copy of the chart she’d made. It showed Madeline starting with an initial grant of 2 percent of the business, then over the next five years working her way to a 10 percent ownership. Taryn’s hundred grand had given her a 40 percent stake. Her suggestion was that by the end of the five years the 10 percent would be divided according to the percentage of their stake. So Isabel would own 54 percent, Taryn would own 36 percent and Madeline would have the remaining 10 percent.
“At that point, we’ll reevaluate,” Taryn said. “You especially. In five years you’ll want to start buying me out.”
Isabel’s eyes widened. “You’ll leave the partnership?”
“I don’t have to, but you’ll be ready to be on your own. Trust me—having a partner looking over your shoulder is going to get old.”
“Maybe, but right now I appreciate your business acumen.”
Isabel wrote her a receipt for the check, then walked to a small refrigerator and pulled out a diet soda for each of them.
“Any aftereffects from our lunch a few days ago?” she asked.
Taryn grinned. “I was buzzed into the evening, that’s for sure. But I’m fine today.” She took the soda and popped the top. “Consuelo was surprising.”
Isabel sat across from her. “Panicked, you mean? Their relationship is so unexpected. I mean Kent’s a great guy, but the way Consuelo looks at him, you’d swear he has secret superpowers.”
“Maybe for her, he does,” Taryn murmured. “It’s nice that she’s so crazy in love. Or just crazy.”
“He’s a math teacher.” Isabel shook her head. “I don’t get it, but on the bright side, it does prove there is someone for everyone.”