I didn't think that this chapter would take so long. I took some time off and thought that I'd still continue to write, but that didn't happen. The time off from writing was needed. I'm feeling creatively refreshed.

Happy reading!

18

"So, what do you think?" Angela asks, blowing on her coffee to cool it off. We stepped into Starbucks after our appointment with Irina to discuss everything.

I think back on the last hour. After I'd arrived, a little less soaking wet thanks to Edward's well-timed appearance, I apologized profusely while I ran my hand over my hair, knowing that frizz was running rampant.

Irina had been kind, telling me it wasn't a problem; apparently she had also been stuck in the same traffic, and had arrived only moments before I did. She was pixie-like, shorter than I was, with warm amber eyes and dirty blonde hair that she had pulled back with a clip.

She took Angela and me around the building, giving us details on the space, including square footage and ceiling height, and confirming that it was in fact twice the size of our current space. If I hadn't been in love before, I would've been once we went to the storage area in the back.

It was a vast area with concrete floors and high ceilings that made our cramped storage space look microscopic by comparison. There were shelving units along the walls that went as high as the ceiling that the previous tenants had left behind. There was easily enough room for me to turn part of it into a studio space, with plenty of area left for inventory without the two having to mix together like they were now. There were times when it was hard to tell the two apart, and being able to have dedicated spaces for each would be much less stress for both me and Angela.

An office was tucked in the back corner of the retail floor that was big enough for me and Angela to both to have a desk. Currently, we had a small office that barely held one desk, much less two. Angela was really excited when we walked in, which she tried to contain, but I could tell by the way her eyes lit up that she was in love.

"I think it's perfect for us." As soon as I'd walked inside, I knew it was meant to be. I was still nervous about taking this next step, but if we wanted our business to grow, it was what was needed.

Angela beams at my response. "I think so, too. You'd have plenty of space for a studio in the back, so you won't have to do most of your painting at home anymore. And did you see that office?" she gushed and I grin at her enthusiasm. I loved that she was as invested in our shared future as I was. None of this would be happening without her.

"It's so perfect, Ang, that it almost feels too good to be true. It doesn't feel like it should be this easy."

She shrugs, "When something is meant to be, it's meant to be. I'm choosing to go with the flow on this one. We couldn't have found a better space if we'd tried."

"I wish I was as trusting of the universe as you." I hated that even when things were going in the right direction, that I still had that tiny voice in the back of my kind that wanted to tell me that it couldn't last.

"I'll rub off on you eventually, but I think we balance each other out. You ground me and I lift you up. It's the perfect combo." She takes a sip of her coffee. "So, are we telling her we want it?"

I take a breath, feeling like I wanted to celebrate and throw up at the same time. "I think we are. There's no way we'll be able to find anything better." I chewed the inside of my lip. "Do you really think we're ready for this?"

"Yeah, I do. It's scary, but most things in life worth having are scary."

"I feel better knowing I'm not the only one that's scared."

"You're definitely not." She assures me and I feel like I can breathe a little easier. "We're a team, Bella. I always have your back."

A/N: Kind of a transitional chapter. We'll be hearing from a certain green-eyed man next chapter. ;)