“I have a lot of female followers. And aside from them and my personal network of celebrity friends, I’m thinking we could target boutique retail owners, maybe small offices with nice reception rooms, and so on. We could open with a line of tables: end tables, coffee tables, dining tables. You could design two of each that we’d showcase. Perhaps we could do privately commissioned pieces in time, too. An informal survey of a few friends revealed one who spent twenty-six grand on a custom-built dining table, and hers doesn’t look anywhere near as unique as yours.”
Hell, he’d been so busy working to make ends meet, he’d never taken the time to investigate the kind of money he might be able to make building furniture. Then again, without Cat’s reach, he wouldn’t have personal access to super-rich folks, either.
It struck him then. Here he sat, next to his fantasy woman, who’d taken it upon herself to make his dreams come true. Even if it never happened, he was grateful for her enthusiasm. She’d reminded him that his life could be more than a string of obligations. That maybe duties and dreams didn’t have to be mutually exclusive.
It’d been close to fourteen years since he’d felt that way. If it ended up being the only thing he took away from this relationship, it would be enough. Well, maybe not, but it would be something he’d always appreciate.
“I’m impressed, Cat. This is a lot of information in a short time. Still, I’m not loving you footing the bill. Also, you didn’t mention anything about income. Then there’s Jackson. I hate to leave him high and dry.”
“If we start slow, you can keep working for Jackson and build stuff at night and on weekends. As far as money goes, we can charge fifty-percent deposits to help generate a little up-front income.”
“Working at night might be a problem. I’ve got my mom to deal with, and Jenny takes night classes. Apparently my mom’s been more irritable since I started working here and spending less time at home.”
Cat set her notebook aside and sighed. “You’re incredibly committed to your family. But don’t you deserve something of your own, too?”
“I do. But, unlike my mom, I’ve got time later. She’s had a tough life. Widowed very young, and started losing her memory not long afterward. I don’t want her to feel like she’s lost me, too.”
Cat nodded thoughtfully, possibly considering his feelings, or maybe thinking of her own mother.
“If I were a mother, I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t want to hold my children back from living their own lives. I think you’re missing the most important lesson of her situation. Life is short. None of us can count on getting a chance ‘someday,’ so we need to seize each opportunity in the moment. That said, I’m done begging. If you aren’t willing to make any compromises, then I’ll find something else to sink my teeth into.”
He set down his empty glass, shamefaced. “You’re right. I’m sorry. Guess I’m so stuck in my life, I can’t see a way out, even when it’s being handed to me on a platter.”
“Does that mean you’re willing to try?”
He drew a deep breath, his stomach knotted, whether with excitement or panic he didn’t know. “Let’s try. At least your plan lets me give Jackson time to find a replacement without me giving up a paycheck too soon. Jenny graduates in six months, so that will be one less expense I have in the not-too-distant future.”
Cat threw her arms around Hank. “I’m so excited!”
Him, too—but from the hug at least as much as from the business. He’d been craving the feel of her body pressed against his again all week—he didn’t want to let go.
“Thank you for believing in me, Hank. This chance to prove that I’m capable of more than looking pretty means everything to me. Absolutely everything.”
Hank brushed her hair behind her ear. “You don’t need this business to prove that to me or anyone else.”
“I do. I need it to prove it to myself.” Her cheeks flushed at the admission, but then she appeared to shake off her temporary embarrassment. “The first thing we need to do is get Vivi out to your house to take some promotional pictures for a website and a brochure. I can coordinate with Helen so you don’t need to take time from all your other work. I promise, I’ll make sure you’re glad we did this, Hank.”
“I’m already glad, Cat.” He slid his hand up her thigh, unable to refrain.
Cat laid her hand on Hank’s to stop its progression up her leg. “One last surprise.”
He’d expressed a fondness for her lingerie, so she’d purposely worn an especially sweet pair in case they had cause to celebrate. She stood up and slowly unbuttoned her dress, then let it fall to her ankles.