Page 28 of Secret Spark
“So.” Sadie took a sip of her drink. “How come you’re so interested in food trucks?”
“It’s a dream of mine to have one someday,” Joan said. At least she could be honest about that.
“Really?”
“Yeah. My broth—” No, better play it safe and not call Mark her brother. “—cousin and I have been brainstorming ideas for what we’d do if we had our own food truck.”
Sadie’s thin eyebrows drew together. “You’d rather run a food truck than…work at a gym?”
“It’d be something different. And I’d get to make delicious food for lots of people.”More honesty.
“What kind of food would you serve?”
“I love hot gourmet sandwiches, so we’d do those. Easy things to eat on the go, like these.” Joan wiggled her empanada. “Mark—my cousin—is a genius with sauces and toppings. He’d handle those. He also makes really good ice cream. Simple meals crafted from quality ingredients.”
“That’s a great idea,” Sadie said. “Put your unique twist on familiar favorites.”
“That’s what we’re going for. Cool how you picked up on that.”
“Iamin the food service industry.”
“I should be turning to you for advice,” Joan said.
“Anytime.” Sadie nudged her leg with one foot. “Do you have a name picked out? An overall concept?”
“We were thinking about calling it Hot and Cold.”
She considered that. “Hot sandwiches, cool prices? No, wait. Hot servers, ice cream to cool you down.”
Joan chuckled and couldn’t help saying, “You’re so cute.”
Sadie just grinned.
“We’d like a turquoise, pink and white theme. That’s why I asked you about designing logos. Maybe someday we’ll need one.”
“Sure. Just say the word.”
“I will.” Having a logo would make Hot and Cold feel more real. More attainable.
They finished their empanadas in silence. Sadie dabbed at her mouth with a napkin. “It’s too funny that’s your dream. I’ve been saving money for years to open my own little café.”
“Really?” Joan said, pleasantly surprised.
“Yeah.” A dreamy smile played about Sadie’s lips. “It would have the same cozy atmosphere as my apartment. Comfy pillows and cushions, lots of color. It’d be drinks and pastries. I don’t want to deal with food prep. Oh, but maybe I could partner with you to sell your sandwiches pre-made.”
“Or you could open an adjoining food truck.”
“Or we could have one mega truck. Food out of one side, coffee out the other.”
“A food semi,” Joan joked.
“Or you could park your food truck in front of my café.” Sadie tilted her head. “I wouldn’t mind.”
They shared another smile, which seemed to be the thing they enjoyed most—grinning at each other like big dorks. “What’s the name of your proposed café?” Joan asked.
“I don’t really have one. Maybe something kitschy and catchy. Or something simple like Sadie’s Café.”
A loudpopbanged nearby. Joan jumped up and fisted her hands. Smoldering fire burbled under her skin. She peered over her sunglasses to survey the area.