Whiskey and Gumdrops: A Blueberry Springs Chick Lit Contemporary Romance by Jean Oram Page B

not?" asked Liz breathlessly, edging closer.
    Mandy rolled her eyes and shoved the door to Benny's open as Frankie caught her elbow. He met her eye and said in a quiet voice, "If it's money you need to go out on your own, I have enough. I can co-sign a loan or I can help you get started with what I have."
    "Frankie, you know I can't do that." She caught Liz glancing from face to face, absorbing every word and piling up conclusions like a kid with her first set of building blocks.
    "It wouldn't be anything fancy, but it would be yours."
    "Look. I appreciate the offer, Frankie. But this isn't about fancy, it's about business, and letting friends be friends and not owing them money or making them business partners."
    "You'd rather go with some unknown guy who doesn't give a shit whether you make it or not?"
    "Of course he cares! It's his business—"
    "Exactly! It wouldn't be yours."
    "What do you care?"
    "I was under the impression we were friends."
    Mandy sucked in a breath, Frankie had moved closer. His breath was hot in her face and his cheeks were flushed.
    She took a step back. "Why are you taking this so personally?" she asked, her voice shaking.
    "How do you know if he's reputable?" His voice told her he didn't think the man was worth a pickle in a room full of cucumbers.
    "Google!" she snapped, backing into Benny's restaurant. "That's how I know. This is business , Frankie. There are contracts people sign."
    "Big bloody deal, if he's the one writing them!"
    "I'll get them looked over!" she retorted, her voice rising. "What the hell is your problem with me partnering with someone that isn't you?"
    A warm, firm hand pressed against her back and she found herself being propelled toward Frankie, out of the building and back out onto the sidewalk. Benny gave her a kind but firm smile. "You're a little early for your shift, Mandy. How about you come back in about fifteen minutes." He glanced at Frankie and added, "Or an hour. Take all the time you need—we'll make do without you."
    The door swung shut and she had to close her eyes for a moment to brace herself against the wave of embarrassment.
    "It doesn't feel right," Frankie said quietly. He was about a foot and a half away and a gentle look had returned to his eyes.
      "I can't put your money at risk, Frankie. That's all there is to it," Mandy said, crossing her arms. "What if I fail?"
    "You won't fail."
    "Independent businesses have an eighty percent likelihood of failure in the first two years, whereas franchises have a twenty percent chance of failure."
    "That's got to be an exaggeration."
    "Even if it is, wouldn't it be better to go with some big business that can afford the blow, rather than my best friend? Especially for something as risky as a healthy alternative? Who knows if this place can even sustain another restaurant?"
    Frankie's expression softened and he opened his mouth to say something but she continued. "Money between friends is like microwaving butter. It's never the same, nor as good afterwards. It changes."
    "At least talk to the Chamber of Commerce and Wini and a few others, okay? I don't like the feel of the guy."
    "You didn't even meet him!"
    "I didn't have to."
    "What? What was wrong with him?" asked Liz.
    Mandy jumped, turning to see Liz, her eyes still gleaming, like a child overhearing her parents discussing a possible trip to Disneyland.
    "You guys are infuriating," Mandy grumbled. She addressed Frankie. "You need to trust me. I'm a big girl."
    "Promise me," Frankie said, gripping her elbow. "Promise you'll look into him more before you agree to anything. Ask for financial records and talk to other franchisees. Okay?"
    "Oh, for crying out loud. Is this because he's from the city?"
    "Ohhhh," Liz crowed, her hands clasped. "It's going to be like Beth and the Nash-hole all over again!"
    Mandy rolled her eyes. It was not going to be like when Nash Leham, the doctor from Dakota, came to Blueberry Springs for a term contract and ended up engaged to