Read Online Sweet Chemistry by September Roberts - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: September Roberts
Ads: Link
swallowed hard.
Chapter 9
Graduation was seven weeks away, and Kate’s plan for the future was starting to form. Lab work was fine, but there was something far more rewarding: cooking. Her love of chemistry was deeply rooted in the kitchen. Maybe she should open a bakery. No matter how many compliments she got, one stood out above the rest. The one from James.
Spurred on by her obsession with the idea, she spent several hours researching supplies she would need and what she would need to get a small business loan. It was crazy, and it made absolutely no sense to mention it to anyone, so she didn’t. She didn’t get much sleep until she wrote everything down in a notebook. On paper, she kept her thoughts organized and safely out of her head, where they had been collecting and repeating on a constant loop.
On Thursday, Carrie didn’t need her for long, so Kate ventured down campus and visited the College of Business. The dean’s secretary referred her to a professor who would be able to answer her questions about small businesses.
Kate knocked on the door. “Dr. Pullman?”
A gray head turned up from his desk. “Yes?”
“My name is Kate Rhodes. I have questions about starting a business and I hoped you might be able to help me.”
He smiled at her. “Well, Kate, you’ve come to the right place.”
She pushed her notebook across his desk and held her breath. Her fingernail pushed against a spot on her thumb, rubbing it raw. The most terrifying moment of sharing a secret dream is waiting for someone to laugh. That moment never came.
“Of course, I would suggest you complete an MBA from this fine college, but seeing as how you’re about to graduate, I’m going to assume you don’t intend to spend another two years here.”
Kate grimaced. “Um, yeah. I’m ready to be done with school.”
Dr. Pullman chuckled. “I remember that feeling. So, here’s what you should do.” He grabbed a pen and paper and started scribbling, and then handed the paper to her. “Read these books. They’ll give you an idea about where to go next. You’re well on your way.” He pointed to her open notebook on the desk between them. “I’ve never seen such detail in a business plan before.”
“Well, I’ve had a few days to think about things, and I based the measurements on the kitchen in my dorm.” Her focus on this new project had consumed every waking moment. It was going to be perfect.
“Like I said, it’s incredibly detailed. After you read those books, you should start pricing equipment. You’d be surprised how expensive everything is. Although sometimes, if you find a building that already has all the appliances, you don’t even need to worry about it. You also might want to tour a few kitchens, talk to the chefs and get their feedback. I actually know the head chef for the kitchen here, on campus. I could call him and ask if you could meet with him if you’d like.”
Kate smiled and nodded.
“I can also recommend a bank that might give you a loan.”
“Actually, I’m going to try my credit union first. I’ve got two accounts with them.”
He stood and offered his hand. “It sounds like you’re on your way.”
She had definitely gone to the right place. When she left Dr. Pullman’s office, she had an appointment to tour the campus kitchens on Monday afternoon, right after biochemistry, a list of books to read, and confidence in her plan.
Slowly but surely, James shifted out of her focus, replaced by her passion to make her business plan a reality. It was certainly a healthier choice and involved absolutely no crying.
* * * *
“What would I do without you?” Kate was holding a Cleopatra dress against her body. It was white, low-cut, and trimmed with gold.
“You wouldn’t be a very good Cleopatra, that’s for damn sure.” Meg chuckled. “You’re going to look great in it. Oh, and don’t forget the headband and the arm cuffs.”
Kate put them on and smiled at her reflection. “What
Chapter 9
Graduation was seven weeks away, and Kate’s plan for the future was starting to form. Lab work was fine, but there was something far more rewarding: cooking. Her love of chemistry was deeply rooted in the kitchen. Maybe she should open a bakery. No matter how many compliments she got, one stood out above the rest. The one from James.
Spurred on by her obsession with the idea, she spent several hours researching supplies she would need and what she would need to get a small business loan. It was crazy, and it made absolutely no sense to mention it to anyone, so she didn’t. She didn’t get much sleep until she wrote everything down in a notebook. On paper, she kept her thoughts organized and safely out of her head, where they had been collecting and repeating on a constant loop.
On Thursday, Carrie didn’t need her for long, so Kate ventured down campus and visited the College of Business. The dean’s secretary referred her to a professor who would be able to answer her questions about small businesses.
Kate knocked on the door. “Dr. Pullman?”
A gray head turned up from his desk. “Yes?”
“My name is Kate Rhodes. I have questions about starting a business and I hoped you might be able to help me.”
He smiled at her. “Well, Kate, you’ve come to the right place.”
She pushed her notebook across his desk and held her breath. Her fingernail pushed against a spot on her thumb, rubbing it raw. The most terrifying moment of sharing a secret dream is waiting for someone to laugh. That moment never came.
“Of course, I would suggest you complete an MBA from this fine college, but seeing as how you’re about to graduate, I’m going to assume you don’t intend to spend another two years here.”
Kate grimaced. “Um, yeah. I’m ready to be done with school.”
Dr. Pullman chuckled. “I remember that feeling. So, here’s what you should do.” He grabbed a pen and paper and started scribbling, and then handed the paper to her. “Read these books. They’ll give you an idea about where to go next. You’re well on your way.” He pointed to her open notebook on the desk between them. “I’ve never seen such detail in a business plan before.”
“Well, I’ve had a few days to think about things, and I based the measurements on the kitchen in my dorm.” Her focus on this new project had consumed every waking moment. It was going to be perfect.
“Like I said, it’s incredibly detailed. After you read those books, you should start pricing equipment. You’d be surprised how expensive everything is. Although sometimes, if you find a building that already has all the appliances, you don’t even need to worry about it. You also might want to tour a few kitchens, talk to the chefs and get their feedback. I actually know the head chef for the kitchen here, on campus. I could call him and ask if you could meet with him if you’d like.”
Kate smiled and nodded.
“I can also recommend a bank that might give you a loan.”
“Actually, I’m going to try my credit union first. I’ve got two accounts with them.”
He stood and offered his hand. “It sounds like you’re on your way.”
She had definitely gone to the right place. When she left Dr. Pullman’s office, she had an appointment to tour the campus kitchens on Monday afternoon, right after biochemistry, a list of books to read, and confidence in her plan.
Slowly but surely, James shifted out of her focus, replaced by her passion to make her business plan a reality. It was certainly a healthier choice and involved absolutely no crying.
* * * *
“What would I do without you?” Kate was holding a Cleopatra dress against her body. It was white, low-cut, and trimmed with gold.
“You wouldn’t be a very good Cleopatra, that’s for damn sure.” Meg chuckled. “You’re going to look great in it. Oh, and don’t forget the headband and the arm cuffs.”
Kate put them on and smiled at her reflection. “What
Similar Books
