Page 107 of What About Us

“Walker, I appreciate all of your hard work, but I need to discuss the budget with you. I have to make sure I can afford you.”

Before the other man can reply, Xander walks inside and grins as he looks around.

“You’ve done a great job, man.”

“Why didn’t you talk to me about this?” I ask, and that smile slips, and I feel like an asshole. “I mean, thank you. Truly, thank you for dealing with this when you know I didn’t have the brain space for it, but you should have told me.”

“I didn’t want you to worry about it,” he says.

“But I have to pay him, and⁠—”

“He’s been paid,” Xander interrupts. “You don’t have to do anything, Ivy.”

I blink, and before I can respond, my phone rings.

“Hello?”

“Hi, Ivy, this is Steve at the fire department. Hey, I wanted to let you know that we’re finished with the investigation at the bar, and you’re free to do whatever you want with it. You’ll need to talk to a contractor, and probably the city because you’ll need permits, but our piece of it is finished.”

“Thanks, Steve. I appreciate it.”

I hang up with a sigh, shove my phone in my pocket, and turn back to the guys.

“Everything okay?” Xander asks with a concerned frown.

“Yeah, the bar is . . . I don’t know what the word is. Ready to be torn down? That was the fire department. They’re finished with it.”

He nods and Walker clears his throat.

“Do you have plans for Lucky’s yet, Ivy?”

“No.” I wrinkle my nose and shrug a shoulder. “I haven’t really had time to think about it. I guess I’d better come up with a plan. Eventually.”

I let out a sigh and shove my hands in my back pockets.

“If you’re ever interested in a partner, let me know.”

I feel my eyebrows climb into my hairline.

“Seriously? You’re dying to switch from contractor work to owning a bar?”

Walker shrugs a shoulder, then crosses his impressive arms over his chest. “I can do both. I’d be interested in a conversation if you’re ever willing to have it.”

Ideas start to spin through my mind, but I simply nod.

I’m ready to go home.

“I’m sure we can manage to have that conversation. Thanks a lot. How are your brothers?”

“Everyone’s doing well.” Walker nods. “Well, I’ll get back to it.”

He shakes Xander’s hand, then mine, and walks outside.

“He’s always been a man of few words,” I say as I turn to my man. “You’re too good to me.”

“I’m just the right amount of good,” he counters and kisses my forehead. I sense him check his phone over my shoulder.

“Is everything okay? What’s going on?”