Free Kitchen Trouble by Sara Hooper Page B

father and mother died when I was young. That was when Peter came into my life. However, I just couldn’t picture exactly how we met. I would have to ask him someday. I had a feeling that he would remember all the specific details. It was just the kind of guy he was.
    Calculations proved fruitless, since I would need a little more than fifty grand to make it work. I was sure that I could negotiate the price, but it certainly wouldn’t take it down to where I needed it to be. Then I had to think about how much I would need for renovations, marketing and the inventory to start the place. I was looking at a total capital of 325 thousand dollars minimum. All I had was 250 at the most.
    Work that day was hell, but I just kept picturing myself owning that restaurant and it brought a smile to my face. Would the previous owner even take me seriously with my petite 5 foot 2, 120 lb body and the fact that I didn’t have experience? I knew I shouldn’t be fretting, since every one knows that cash is king. I’m sure if a Leprechaun came in with the right deal that the owner would snatch it up.
    I decided to visit my grandmother. Of course upon reaching her home, she was in the kitchen. I sat down at the table and told her of my recent news. Her expression turned from one of excitement to worry in an instant. She put the tea on and I knew that she could see right through me.
    “What is troubling you Maria?” I told her the sad tale and that I might have to get a loan, but wasn’t even sure that I would qualify for one. The banks weren’t handing out loans to just anyone, now they wanted some sort of collateral or solid business plan to back it up. Restaurants were considered a high-risk venture and something that banks frowned upon.
    “Listen, don’t fret. My husband left me a tidy nest egg, and I could lend you the money. I’ll be what you young people call a silent partner. I can give you 35 grand, but unfortunately I don’t have any more. I need to keep something for my bills and such.” I couldn’t believe that I was this close to owning the restaurant of my dreams. It was my grandmother who was helping to make my dreams come through.
    “I’ll take it.” For a girl who just came over to see her Grandmother for advice, I walked out of there with a partner in business. I had to tell someone and I thought of the only person that came to mind.
    I drove to his house and I climbed the stairs to knock on his door. I could see him coming through the window, but he was only wearing a towel around his waist and one over his head drying his hair.
    “Keep your shoes on, I’m coming.” As he got closer, I realized that I had never seen him almost nude before. His body was chiseled out of granite and I didn’t even know that having an eight pack was possible. Peter definitely proved me wrong.
    Mt best friend opened the door and dropped the towel on his head to give me the shock of my life. His beard was gone and was replaced with a clean-shaven face. That wasn’t the only drastic change in his appearance.  His long brown hair was now cut short and seemed more dirty blonde than brown. Surprisingly, I was starting to feel a little moist under my skirt. His new look was definitely working for him as well as for me.
    I bit my lip and just stared at him, “Wow, now that is a transformation. I didn’t think you’d go that far.” Peter stood back and let me get the full view and then he did a turn for me. Coming back around, the towel slipped from around his waist and dropped to the floor. I couldn’t help but stare at his totally naked body. My eyes glanced at his face, then strayed further south. I guess having an audience was having an effect on him, because you could’ve hidden boy scouts under that tent.
    His hands didn’t move to cover himself up. I walked in and closed the door behind me. I don’t know what came over me, but I wanted to touch it to make sure what I was seeing was real. My hand came into contact with