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“I’m not sorry for trying to protect you, but you deserved to know why.”
“Stop while you’re ahead,” Annie advises. “It’s not polite to justify your reasons while apologizing.”
He spears her with an irritated glare, keeping his mouth shut.
“Where have you been?” My curiosity gets the best of me. The question is one of many racing through my mind.
“Where have I been?”
“This is the second day in a row you’ve shown with Miller and Pierce. What’s going on?”
“I should get that baby to a crib. He’s exhausted from an afternoon with the guys.” Annie’s on her feet so fast it’s a blur. She sets down her glass, takes Devin, and disappears.
“I’ll help her.” Jill scampers off.
“We should probably call the kids and make sure they’re okay with Connie.” Darby hoists herself up and drags Pierce inside, but not before I catch the amusement glowing on his face.
“Help me to the bathroom.” Ashlyn mirrors Darby’s actions, Miller’s expression identical to Pierce's as they close the door behind them.
“Okay, that wasn’t obvious. I’ve never cleared a porch before.”
“Fuckers,” Evin grouses. “Runner, down.”
Runner jumps off and trots to sit by the door. Evin sits, pulling my legs into his lap.
“Oh, God, what have you done?”
“A while back, I bought another building.”
“With Pierce?”
“No, this one’s all mine. Actually, it’s ours as soon as I get your name on it.”
“What do we need a building for?”
“It’s an investment I couldn’t pass up. Location is highly desired in the heart of Charleston. The tenant will have a prime spot.”
“Do you have a tenant?”
“Not yet, but there’s a lot of interest. So far, I’ve been able to remain anonymous. Pierce, Miller, and Warren are helping me with some general renovations.”
“Evin! Why’d you keep it from me? Everyone else knows.”
“I’ve been working on a surprise, and until about an hour ago, I wasn’t sure it would come together. Now it has.”
“What has?”
“Tomorrow morning, we’re cleared to show the building. I have a good feeling about this prospect.”
“I know nothing about being a landlord or choosing who should occupy space.”
He dips in, stealing a quick kiss. “You’ll learn tomorrow.”
Chapter 33
Evin
Poppy’s quiet, too quiet. It’s been ten minutes since she made a sound. She’s inspected every inch of the downstairs and is now examining the open space up here.
“Evin,” my name comes out breathy, “I know nothing about real estate, but this is phenomenal. Is it really yours?”
“It’s ours,” I correct her for the sixth time.
“It’s going to sound mystical… but I feel spiritual in this space. Like life-changing events are going to happen in this building. There’s an effervescence that’s speaking to me.”
I fight the urge to beat my chest in victory. “I’m glad you like it.”
“Seriously, these exposed beams and red brick, the windows and natural light—what is that you’re leaning on?”
“Coffee bar, beverage station, wet bar, whatever it needs to be.”
“Any idea what someone would do with this space?”
My brain is loaded with ideas. “Guess it depends on what kind of business moves in.”
“What’s through there?” She gestures behind me.
“See for yourself.” I open the door, wait for her to swing through, and resume my stance against the doorframe.
She spins and twirls, her jaw-dropping as she sweeps the area. “Holy shit! This is… this is… I don’t know what it is, but it’s huge.”
“It’s twelve hundred square feet.”
“That’s larger than my first apartment.”
“The square footage is equal to the shed.”
“What would someone do with this? Should we separate the top and bottom floors?”
“We could do that, but I think this would be a great apartment. It’s been rewired, plumbing is upgraded, and the kitchen needs a facelift.”
“There’s a kitchen?” Her eyes bulge.
“There is.”
“Do you think the prospective tenant is looking for a place to live as well?”
“Not full time. My sources explained they have unconventional business hours. Many late nights. The husband is a needy bastard and wants a fully functioning space so they don’t miss too much time together.”
“Huh.” She scrunches her nose, seeming to think about it, then shakes her head dismissively. “Guess that’s sweet.”
“Yes, sweet, that’s exactly what I was thinking.” I chuckle to myself. Nothing about my thought process was sweet when designing this space.
“This sounds more and more like a done deal than a prospect.”
“You are the deciding vote.”
“Any idea what these people want to do? It will crush me if they want to change any of the original charm.”
“I agree, that’s why my research was thorough. You must approve any structural changes.”
She squints, pursing her lips. “You know what they want to do and are holding out on me.”
“I have some drawings that Pierce and Miller came up with based on specs given.”
“Let’s see them.”
I press the remote button in my pocket, the retractable wall rising to reveal a temporary office and wall lined with sketches. She pivots on her crutches and hustles to the wall.
