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“I have financing.”
“If it falls through, I’ll be the first to let you know. In the meantime, I do have some good news.”
I couldn’t even venture a guess what it could be. “Hit me with it.”
“I talked with the owners of Lexington about leasing the building beside Daisy & Dahlia’s, and they’ve countered.”
I swallowed. That too, had been at my maximum. “That’s good news?” We apparently came from different worlds. “And? By how much?”
“I think we have some wiggle room, but they are countering with a twenty-five percent increase.”
“Twenty-five?” The words spit into the cool air. Tossing the numbers around in my head, there was no way to make any of it work.
“Like I said, I think we have some wiggle room.”
I shrugged and sat on the cold, concrete step; the chill seeping right through my pants and settling deep into my bones. “I can’t. You and I both know the offer I presented was my upper limit.”
“I’ll see what I can do. Sorry, I don’t have better news.”
“Well, thanks for trying.” I hung up and tipped my head down, fighting the tears.
Just like that, my new plans for moving here permanently and setting up a hardware store went up in smoke. Living in the shabby motel wasn’t what I wanted, and rentals were non-existent. Even the housing market was quiet, which was why I’d been counting on the offer to be an easy sale, especially since I’d offered them exactly what they wanted. How could they have turned it down?
It super sucked being back to the drawing board, and now I had to go and deal with a cranky big sister who blamed me for breaking her brother’s heart. What a disaster.
Where was Amanda?
Slowly pushing myself to a stand and dusting off my butt, I turned back toward the house as a curtain dropped back into place. Who’d been spying?
Headlights brightened the street and an unfamiliar car – Silas’s perhaps? – pulled in behind mine.
“Hey.” She exited and walked over to me. “Everything okay?”
“Not looking forward to this.” I eyed the house. “She hates me and blames me for our breakup.”
“Why?”
“A very long story.”
With a quick glance over Amanda’s shoulder, Silas joined us; a paper bag in his hands.
I shook away the sad vibes and tipped my head from shoulder to shoulder to ease the building tension in my neck. With a couple of deep breaths, I did as Carter had said, I knocked and entered a house ripe with the smell of baked ham. It was mouthwatering, and had I not had a sour taste in my stomach, would’ve enjoyed the scent more.
“Hey,” Carter said, stumbling out of the living room. Guess I had my answer on who was watching me, not that I should’ve been surprised. He took a long solid look at my face, his focus volleying between me and my best friend. “Everything okay?”
I focused on his chin, completely avoiding his gaze. “Absolutely.”
“Come on in. Hang your jackets there.” An old coat rack already bustling with coats sat tucked into the corner of the foyer. “Come. Come.”
Hand in hand, I left my troubles at the door and prepared for all new ones as we exited the hall and into the brightly lit kitchen. From a speaker built into the soffit above the dark wood cabinetry, instrumental music played. The island was packed with fancy bowls, serving platters, and condiments. My shabby glass pan with the sugar-free dessert looked like trailer trash in comparison.
“Glad you made it,” Bea said, her voice tinged with displeasure. She set the last of the cutlery on the dark green placemats. “And you brought friends. How lovely.” She tossed a raised brow at her brother.
Carter squeezed my hand and tugged me over to the short, stocky guy on the end of the island. “Everyone, I’d like you to meet Jasper.”
Carter was right – he was the total opposite of Bea. Whereas Bea was dressed in fine office wear, complete with nylons and pearls, Jasper was wearing a flannel shirt and jogging pants, along with an apron readingOne of us is right, the other one is you; clearly Bea’s apron.
Jasper set down his carving knife, wiped his hands on a green tea towel, and shook my hand, followed by Amanda’s and Silas’s.
