Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 91594 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 458(@200wpm)___ 366(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91594 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 458(@200wpm)___ 366(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
We started this business to honor our best friend. All Celia Edlund ever wanted was to run a candy business. It was her dream for years, but she didn’t live long enough to make that a reality, so Krista and I did it.
Sweet Indulgence is built on our shared love for our late friend.
“You’re thinking about Cels,” she says the nickname I bestowed on Celia shortly after we met in third grade.
“Don’t,” I warn with a finger in the air. “Don’t call her that.”
Celia and I were a duo until we met Krista in middle school. From that point on, the three of us were inseparable until we lost Cels.
Her chance to enjoy this business was stolen from her before we even launched. We did that three years ago.
I had a stable and flourishing career in advertising at the time. Krista was floating from one job to another. When she came to me with the concept of our very own candy company, I was skeptical, but I couldn’t shake Celia’s words from my mind.
“One day we’ll work side by side at a candy counter, Greer,” she said months before she died.
I took the leap but held onto my job. That only lasted six months, and then I had no choice but to go all in. It was all too much for Krista, and I wanted nothing more than to make it a success.
“I can’t sell,” I whisper. “I just can’t, Krista.”
Her brown eyes well with tears. “Celia would want us to be happy. I’ll be happy in Los Angeles. I’m under consideration for an internship with a fashion designer there. You know how much I’ve always wanted to design dresses.”
I know that she’s wanted many things over the years. Becoming a fashion designer is something I’ve never heard before, even though it’s obvious she’s been thinking about it for some time if she’s applied for an internship in another state.
“I’ll keep running it on my own,” I say, hoping to reach a compromise. “You’ll still reap the rewards financially.”
“I need the lump sum this sale would give me.” She swipes a tear from her cheek. “It will help us really get set up out west, and it’ll allow me the financial freedom I need to focus on the internship. Please, Greer, just give it some thought.”
I don’t need to give it any thought. My answer won’t change.
“You could go back to East Hampton to think it over,” she suggests. “You were so happy after that weekend. You said the time away gave you clarity.”
It did. It was clear to me after my weekend away that I’m a very lucky woman. I have an amazing daughter, great friends, and family that I love. Spending time with Joe helped me see that it’s okay for me to carve out moments that are just for me, even though my primary focus for the foreseeable future is raising my daughter and growing this business.
I got back to Manhattan with more determination than ever to make Sweet Indulgence the best it can be.
Krista’s grandma’s candy recipes are what launched us, but our new creations are what have sustained us. Our online presence is growing by the day, thanks to an aggressive social media campaign I developed.
I can’t let it go now. My gut tells me that if we stay on the path we’re on, we’ll see increased sales in no time.
“It’s been over a month since you came back from your trip,” she points out, sticking to the subject of my getaway. “Isn’t it time to go back?”
It’s been precisely thirty-six days since I last saw Joe, but I have no intention of going back to East Hampton. Besides, I have nothing to think about. I’m going to cling to Sweet Indulgence as tightly as I can.
“I set up a tentative meeting next week with the company that wants to buy us.” Her voice cracks. “It’s called…”
“I don’t care what it’s called.” I stop her with a shake of my head. “We’re not selling Sweet Indulgence to a company that won’t honor what it truly means to us.”
“Celia will always be with us.” Tears roll down her cheeks as she pats the center of her chest. “I think it’s okay to hand the reins of what we’ve built to someone else.”
“It’s not,” I say with my own tears welling in my eyes. “I can’t let it go.”
“Please think about it,” she pleads, her hands twisting in the material of the front of her dark green T-shirt.
It doesn’t help that it’s one of the branded shirts that I designed after countless attempts to come up with a logo for Sweet Indulgence. I glance down at the matching shirt I’m wearing.
I even had several made in Olive’s size because my little girl is proud of what her mom has built.