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I parallel parked the van. Eric had his door opened before I shut down the engine. Instead of racing toward the building, he opened the back door for Lexie.
I turned off the ignition and strode around the back.
“You’re overdressed for the occasion,” Teague said, slapping my hand.
Beau pulled on my tie. “Might look better with paint on it.”
Paint? I wasn’t going to paint.
Eric looped his hand on Lexie’s elbow. “Let’s go, sis.” When he’d reached the door, he stopped. “Where’s Miss Adeline?”
“She stayed behind with the dogs,” Pepper said. “But she wants us to send her pictures.”
“Okay,” he said. He posed with his head tilted toward his sister. “We’re ready.”
Pepper grinned and pulled her phone out of her pocket. She held it up. “On three. One. Two. Say cheese.” She snapped a photo.
“What happened to three?” Eric asked.
She turned red. “Oops.”
He held the door open for everyone, but I insisted he go in ahead of me.
The community center was old, but clean. There was a corkboard littered with flyers which I assumed were upcoming events. A few people milled around. Other than a dull hum of voices, it was mostly quiet. While I appreciated that because I wasn’t one for much noise, it bothered me.
The place was in the center of a neighborhood. It should’ve been teeming with people. An asset residents took advantage of.
How can they get more kids in? Is funding the issue?
People were busy and had their own lives to tend to. But this was an important part of Lexie’s and Eric’s. They couldn’t be the only ones who enjoyed the space. Seeing the way he lit up when he realized where we were headed . . . I wanted others to have that same experience. For the community center to be a necessity.
“Are you thinking of buying this place?” Lexie fell in step beside me.
I’d lingered behind the others without meaning to, taking in the details.
“How often do you come here?” If I understood the way someone actually utilized the community center, I’d be able to better assess how to encourage others to do the same.
She gave me the side-eye. “Once a week for the art class. Then a few more times a month to volunteer for different activities.”
“Is it always this quiet?” I glanced toward an open door, but the lights were off. A conference room, maybe?
“Unless they have a children’s program, most of the time.”
I grunted an acknowledgment.
“You’re scowling,” she said as we continued through the wide corridor.
“Aren’t I always?” One corner of my mouth lifted.
She let out a huff. “Excellent point, Mr. Hollingsworth.”
This woman gets me. And likes me. Not sure which part surprised me more. But she was right. I did wonder if the center could be better utilized and pay for itself . . .
“Bob Ross has swagger,” Eric said as he disappeared inside an open door.
“That’s a term he picked up from you.” Lexie elbowed me.
I hesitated. I’d said Eric had swagger the day I’d been under arrest. Had I influenced him? That was a responsibility I wasn’t sure I was ready for.
