Page 46 of Singled Out

“He went outside to take a phone call. It sounded like someone asking about the apartment.”

“It’s ours, bitches,” Dakota said. “What about you? Did you decide to go for it?”

“I’m still thinking,” Cambria said. “I had in mind something about a third of the size of this, but that back room would make an ideal space for candle making. I use an old barn now, but it’s close to falling down, and it won’t work once the weather turns cold.”

“What kind of candles do you make?” Dakota asked.

“I do special shaped ones, like animals, pine trees, canoes, sandcastles. Lake themed stuff. Plus scented tapers and columns and votives, all handmade.”

“You sell them at the farmers market, right?” I remembered seeing her at a booth a time or two.

“Every week. I’ve been selling online and at craft shows and art fairs, but I’d like something a little more settled and stable. It takes a lot to travel around the state and set up and take down every weekend. Sometimes those are a bust, and I’ve wasted a lot of time.”

“You’d keep busy all summer here,” I said. “Plus holidays.”

“Weekends,” Dakota said. “Could you make enough candles to keep the place full though?”

Cambria shook her head. “Not with this much square footage. I was planning to carry candleholders, incense, things like that, but here I’d need more.”

“How do you feel about jewelry?” I asked before I could think it through.

Cambria tilted her head.

“Oh, my God, you should see Harper’s designs,” Dakota said. “Do you have pictures?” she asked me.

Swallowing hard, wondering what I’d started, I pulled out my phone and swiped until I found some of my more recent creations. I let Cambria peruse them.

“These are gorgeous. I love your style, Harper.” When she got to the end of them, she asked, “Where do you sell them currently?”

“Um, I mostly don’t. I have a couple boxes full.”

“Just sitting there going to waste,” Dakota said oh-so helpfully.

“You should see Dakota’s ceramics. Her mugs are big and beautiful. Show her,” I prompted.

By the time Darius came back inside, Cambria had raved about Dakota’s creations, and we’d helped her brainstorm other possibilities for merchandise if she decided to rent this spot. It was fun to think about. She was cautious about taking it on, though, understandably.

“What’d you two think of the apartment?” Darius asked when he reached the counter.

I looked at Dakota to make sure she didn’t have cold feet. She nodded subtly.

“We’ll take it,” I said.

“Excellent. A lot of people are going to be sad to miss out,” Darius said. “We’ll just run a background check and a credit check tomorrow. Then we can fill out paperwork and get the lease signed. Mrs. K’s son has a company coming to move his mom’s belongings out next weekend. The property owner can get the flooring replaced, and then it’ll be yours.”

He shook my hand and then Dakota’s.

“And what about you, Cambria? You ready to take the leap?” Darius asked.

“Not quite yet,” she said. “Can I sleep on it?”

“Of course.”

“Do you have anyone else looking at it yet?” Her blue eyes looked contemplative and a little cautious.

“I had a call, but they didn’t seem serious,” Darius said. “I can let you know if any other inquiries come in.”

“Please. It’s a great space. I just need to pivot my business idea a bit.”