“You know the invitations I made for Lauren and Ford?” she asked, stopping dead in front of him. After he nodded, the pacing continued. “Graphics. People want their weddings, birthday parties, or whatever, to be unique. I’ll customize invitations, programs, thank you cards, stuff like that. But I’ll also make some pre-made designs too. At a cheaper price than my custom jobs. I figure it would take about a month to get those done and up on a site. Then I can start advertising.”
“You could make book covers. There’s a big need for those, too.”
Macie jumped. “Great idea. That’s something I can add down the line, like in six months or so.”
“Mace, you need a solid business plan.” Zac leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees. “And you’ll probably lose money the first few years.”
“No, I won’t. I mean, I probably won’t make enough to get me out of debt, but I have a second plan for that. I just...” Macie plopped beside him. “I’ve been thinking about what you said. About Mom being proud of me and about getting my degree and all that. I ... I want to be my own person. My own boss. Working at the station was temporary when I took the job, but even more so now. I can make this work. I’m willing and able.” Her eyes softened. “Aren’t I?”
She wanted his validation. His. What was going on with this girl? “How much debt, Mace?”
Her eyes darkened. “Enough.”
“I did some research on student loans.” He pulled a page of notes out of the back of his folder. “You can defer if you’re underemployed. Based on what I think you make, that will never fly so deferment is out. I did learn that you can make the minimum required payment until you’re on your feet better. That’s different from what your bill says.”
“Seriously?” She took the information from him, skimming over the facts. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
“Zac, you’ve given me a lot of heartache over the years, but you’ve never lied to me.” She sat up and stared straight into his eyes. “Do you think I can do this? Do you think I can be successful?”
“I know you can do it, Mace.” Zac felt his chest balloon with pride. She really did value his opinion. “And I’m going to help.”
“I can’t pay you.” Horror sketched her face.
Zac shrugged. “Can’t a friend help out another friend?”
“So we’re friends, now?” Macie’s lips quirked into a grin.
“It’s weird, but I think we’re getting there.”
Macie’s laugh filled the room. “Lauren and Ford can never know. They’ll act all triumphant and superior.”
“We’ll keep it our secret.” Zac nudged Macie’s shoulder. “Ready to get started on this?”
Macie held out her hand. “Yep. I’m ready, partner. Are you?”
“Partner?”
“I figured maybe if you wanted to be my partner instead. I do the creative stuff. You manage the money and shit.” Macie shrunk back. “I mean if you want to. I’ve never been great with money. If I had, my savings account would be full of my tips instead of pennies.”
Zac smiled. “Let’s get this started first and see where it goes. Then we can talk about that later.”
“Right. It may be an epic failure.”
“Or a massive success.”
“I’m going with that one.”
“Me too.” Zac shook her hand. Partners. Huh.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Zac left late. As tempting as it was, Macie didn’t ask him to stay. She’d wanted to, especially after things started to get playful. He’d bumped her shoulder. She’d swatted at his arm, letting her fingers linger longer than necessary.
The last time she’d written him through Blind Friends, she’d mentioned how crazy her job had been. That was a few days ago. She hadn’t checked in since last night when there’d been no response. He was busy, too, she reminded herself as she opened the app. The magical one appeared in the inbox. She tapped his message and read.
Things have been a roller coaster for me, too. I’m beginning to wonder if my chosen profession was the wrong choice. Not because of the company but because of me. The job offers me no challenges. It doesn’t set my heart on fire. It doesn’t even wake it up. A friend recently told me that I should do work I’m proud of. I thought I was going to, but not anymore. Maybe I’m just doubting myself.
That same friend, who I’d never thought I would call a friend, is so alive with energy and... well, life. And not afraid to say what needs to be said or to do what needs to be done. I don’t think I’ve ever had that freedom.
It’s scary.
Macie read it again. Zac didn’t want to be in finance? Was that why he was so willing to help her? She thought back over her last few get-togethers. He hadn’t said anything about his job. Nor had she asked. She was too busy being self-involved. If she wanted this to work, and she did the more she got to know Zac, then she needed to be less selfish. Starting now. She began to type.
I feel like I’ve been too busy venting about myself and not asking enough about you. I’m sorry that you’re unhappy. That’s the last thing I want to hear. Happiness isn’t just about finding your career. It’s about making the most out of what you have. I don’t have much of anything, right now. But I’m working on a way to fix that. And that itself makes me happy. I don’t remember where I heard this: Life is about the journey, not the destination.
So, what can we do to make your journey the best?
Macie hit send. Then she realized her mistake. What can WE do? She didn’t want him to think she wanted to meet just yet. After the wedding. After she got Zac to see the real
