This whole thing, with his willingness to support her and the desire to help Joel, it doesn't stem from anything especially generous within him, at least he doesn't feel that way. Both of them are getting along just fine without Spencer trying to throw money at them but in truth, he's been sitting on these life insurance accounts with no idea what to do with them. He anonymously donates to the Reading is Fundamental organization every year, he's put some money into helping upgrade the library and parts of the town, but it's a bit difficult to determine what he should do with the money that he only has because his family's dead. The house is free and clear of a mortgage, maintenance isn't altogether terrible even with three people living there again and besides, Joel assists in that aspect now so he'd been back to square one. This, backing the bakery and fulfilling the cost of Raleigh's hospital bills, it just feels... right. They're things he thinks his mother would be happy to see him using a portion of that money for, and he likes the idea of that, always likes the idea that maybe he's still making his mother smile. It's easier to believe that's true when he has people in his life to influence him so positively; he can't imagine even for a second that any of this is the wrong decision.
The property Raleigh's chosen for the bakery is well-suited for her, the kitchen being a wide and open enough space that it won't hold her energy back because he's seen her when she gets to work in the kitchen, and the woman does not stop once she gets started. He watches her sometimes, kneading dough or setting trays in the oven or taste-testing her pastries to perfection, and he's not even sure she realizes he's there half the time. He gets to be the same way when he puts himself to a task at the library. He realizes that his job requires some sort of ability to actually assist the patrons, but it's happened one more than one occasion that he's hushed someone approaching him for help in favor of his re-shelving or cataloging or, most recently, texting his boyfriend back in a corner of the stacks. That last one is perhaps not something he should admit out loud, and he's been lucky enough that the patron had actually turned out to be Cosette.
In any case, Raleigh's right, the place is a bit of a project, but he can pictures its transformation as she describes her vision and nods along as she points out where she wants the ovens, the mixers, the windows. "What about the walls?" he asks, glancing at the faded paint job left from the last tenant, and he can see the faint outline of the cupcake logo that he remembers. "Brighter colors? A mural sort of deal? Simple? It would certainly help set your tone and painting is something else I can help with when I'm not at work. I've always been quite excellent at being able to color within the lines." He flashes her a teasing smile, and he briefly wonders when it'll stop being a surprise that the smiles come so easily now.
"It all sounds fantastic, though, you seem to know exactly how you want to see this through. I know you're still in beginning stages but have you asked anyone to help you mock up a layout of how you want everything to be?"
His forehead creases with concern at her last question, and he tilts his head at her as he steps around one of the counters he's been examining a bit more closely. "Of course you can, are y-- Is everything all right?"
no subject
The property Raleigh's chosen for the bakery is well-suited for her, the kitchen being a wide and open enough space that it won't hold her energy back because he's seen her when she gets to work in the kitchen, and the woman does not stop once she gets started. He watches her sometimes, kneading dough or setting trays in the oven or taste-testing her pastries to perfection, and he's not even sure she realizes he's there half the time. He gets to be the same way when he puts himself to a task at the library. He realizes that his job requires some sort of ability to actually assist the patrons, but it's happened one more than one occasion that he's hushed someone approaching him for help in favor of his re-shelving or cataloging or, most recently, texting his boyfriend back in a corner of the stacks. That last one is perhaps not something he should admit out loud, and he's been lucky enough that the patron had actually turned out to be Cosette.
In any case, Raleigh's right, the place is a bit of a project, but he can pictures its transformation as she describes her vision and nods along as she points out where she wants the ovens, the mixers, the windows. "What about the walls?" he asks, glancing at the faded paint job left from the last tenant, and he can see the faint outline of the cupcake logo that he remembers. "Brighter colors? A mural sort of deal? Simple? It would certainly help set your tone and painting is something else I can help with when I'm not at work. I've always been quite excellent at being able to color within the lines." He flashes her a teasing smile, and he briefly wonders when it'll stop being a surprise that the smiles come so easily now.
"It all sounds fantastic, though, you seem to know exactly how you want to see this through. I know you're still in beginning stages but have you asked anyone to help you mock up a layout of how you want everything to be?"
His forehead creases with concern at her last question, and he tilts his head at her as he steps around one of the counters he's been examining a bit more closely. "Of course you can, are y-- Is everything all right?"