Free Going All In by Alannah Lynne, Cassie McCown Page B

incredible.”
    Since Tiffany bought the condo next door and started taking cooking lessons, Callie had become her culinary guinea pig. The arrangement worked perfectly. Callie didn’t have to cook—something she’d discovered after moving out on her own she wasn’t very good at—and Tiffany had someone to try her new dishes. They’d also agreed on a bartering system of sorts. Tiffany kept Callie fed, and Callie helped Tiffany decorate her condo.
    Tiffany had spent the past two years watching Callie pave the way, and she’d been taking notes. Six months ago, she decided to leave the comfort of the heated pool in favor of life’s more turbulent waters. She had yet to break free of her parents’ checkbook, but she was working hard to figure out her place in life, and total freedom was just around the corner.
    Jen, however, was content to remain entrenched in the world of maids and Daddy’s credit card and didn’t understand why they wanted to make their own marks on the world.
    After drying her hands, Callie grabbed the plates and napkins and headed back to the living room. She stopped short as the scents of fresh paint and brownies hit her. She drew in a deep breath and enjoyed the rush of endorphins the unlikely combination caused. Who knew those smells could be so comforting?
    Tiffany scooped a brownie from the pan and placed it on one of the plates. “The dressing table looks great.”
    “Thanks, I’m happy with it.” She took a bite of brownie, then moaned with pleasure as the warm, gooey treat melted on her tongue. “God, these are good. I don’t know how they tasted before, but you nailed this recipe.”
    Tiffany’s smile grew and she bounced on her toes. “You really think so?” She looked to Jen for confirmation, then back to Callie.
    “Absolutely. They’re incredible.” Callie took another big bite. Then another. And another, then finally gave up the fight to be polite and crammed the rest in her mouth.
    Jen’s reaction was more subdued, but after a dainty bite, she agreed. “Yeah, they’re good.”
    “You know…” Tiffany started, then stopped and cranked her mouth around as she worked up the nerve to finish her thought. She sat down in a chair and tucked her leg beneath her. “I’ve been thinking a lot about the idea of starting a catering business.” As soon as the words spilled from her mouth, she sucked in a breath and held it, waiting for their response.
    Jen blinked a couple of times and fiddled with her earring, like she was adjusting the dial on her hearing.
    But Callie knew she’d heard right, and excitement for her friend bubbled up. “Seriously?” She dropped into the chair next to Tiffany’s. “You think you’re finally ready?”
    Callie didn’t doubt Tiffany’s abilities. She’d been eating her food for months and had no complaints. Ever. But Tiffany wasn’t as sure of her culinary talent, and Callie worried Tiff’s self-doubts would get in the way.
    Tiffany’s eyes misted with fear and trepidation, but the fog quickly burned away as underlying determination shone through. “Yeah, I am. I’ve done a lot of thinking since our last conversation—”
    Oh crap.
    “—and I think it’s time.”
    Callie held her breath as Jen’s gaze narrowed and swung between Callie and Tiffany. “I don’t remember talking about this before.”
    “You weren’t there.”
    Callie’s retort was harsher and more defensive than intended, but she loved the conversations she and Tiffany had without Jen, and she was protective of them. Their private sessions were real and genuine, about important things that mattered. They talked about their futures and made plans—plans some would say were nothing more than pipe dreams—but they were quickly learning there wasn’t much of a difference between plans and dreams, and they were excited about the possibilities life held for them.
    She’d rather continue this conversation without Jen, the pessimistic voice of doom and gloom booming