The Spice of Life

Fat is in the Fire

Fat is in the Fire

“What do you mean 'denied'?” Brynn asked angrily over the phone. “How could we be denied?”

“I'm very sorry, ma'am.” the polite but firm bank teller told her. “Your loan was not approved.”

“Well, why the hell not?” she demanded to know rudely. If they weren't giving her the loan, she saw no reason to be polite about it. Brynn was not one to take it on the chin and smile.

“I'm afraid the collateral you offered is just not sufficient.” he told her. Brynn opened her mouth to tell him that they could put more down but he continued, “And while Mr. Right has an excellent credit score, we're afraid that you, Ms. Porter, do not.”

Brynn growled in frustration. There was nothing she could do about her crappy credit right now. “Don't go off of my credit. Use Leo's, it's his business.”

“It's a clear indicator that you aren't good with money, Ms. Porter.” he told her coldly. “Also, I don't think a restaurant from the two of you is a very good investment for us. Neither of you have experience in the food industry and your reputation is, well...”

Brynn gasped as she understood. “This isn't about my credit! It's about me! Damn you!”

The small town bank that served Trenton had been where they had applied. The bank manager was an old school friend of Leo's and there had been nothing but smiles and laughter as they filled out the loan application. Unfortunately, because it was a small town bank, they knew who Brynn was. The rumors about what a trouble making, big city slicker she was were already around town. Leo was a fine bet for these people, she was not.

“We have nothing against you personally, Ms. Porter-” he started to say but Brynn cut him off.

“You lying jackass! Fine! Keep your dirty money. We'll do it on our own!” Brynn hit end on her cell phone before he had the chance to say something back. She wished dearly there was a way to hang up cell phones loudly and rudely like there was for landlines.

She threw herself onto her bed and tossed her phone onto her pillow.

Denied.

She hadn't counted on them being denied. It had gone so well when Leo filled out the application. There had been this air about it like the paperwork was more of a formality than anything. She had been so sure of what was going to happen. Leo had been so sure of what was going to happen. The real estate agent was expecting their call soon on that building.

But if they had no money, there was just no way to get it!

“Brynn! Let's go, we're going to be late!” Grace called from the living room and Brynn perked up at the sound of her cousin's voice. Of course, there was still something she hadn't tried yet.

They were on their way to Leo's family's house. His mother and father had invited both of them as well as their three sons over for dinner. It was supposed to be happy, especially since Leo's restaurant was going to be one of the main topics of conversation. The bank denying their loan would just be a damper on the evening.

However...

Of course. Perfect Grace. Brynn's Plan B and Leo's absolute last choice for a place to get a loan. She would just ask without him, that's all.

She bounced up off the bed with a triumphant laugh and practically ran from her room.

“Grace!” she called out eagerly as she ran into the living room. “Grace, you're perfect!”