Chapter 240
“He’s cute,” Jacob said.
I gave him a flat look. “He’s six.”
“Even six–year–olds have standards, it seems.”
To his credit, Jacob shifted gears quickly, turning back to the realtor with sharp, focused energy.
He sipped his coffee and launched into a series of questions–ones that actually mattered. What were the zoning restrictions? Was the building ADA compliant? Had it passed fire code inspections in the last year? Did the landlord offer any improvemerit credits?
The realtor, flustered and still blushing, scrambled to keep up.
Then he pivoted to something I hadn’t expected.
“Of course, this is just the start,” he said, gesturing around the space. “But we’re not only looking for admin offices. In the long term, we’ll need properties that can be converted into shelters, clinics, maybe community centers. Do you or your agency handle those kinds of listings?”
“Uh–yes,” the woman said. “Yes, I’m sure we can find something like that.”
“And if we agreed to work exclusively with your agency for all real estate needs associated with the foundation,” he added smoothly, “would you be willing to negotiate reduced commission rates? We are a nonprofit, after all.”
Her eyes widened. “I—I’d have to talk to my supervisors, of course But I’m sure we could arrange something.”
I watched, surprised.
He wasn’t just charming. He was strategic. He’d flustered her, sure, but he’d also negotiated a lower rate for us before we’d even signed a lease. And he’d asked the kinds of questions I hadn’t even thought of yet.
Maybe this wasn’t just a vanity project to him.
We finished the tour. Jacob kept his attention on the space, pointing out load–bearing walls and asking whether there was a separate HVAC for the back rooms. The realtor–still glowing from her coffee and rose–trailed behind, jotting notes and promising to follow up.
As we stepped outside into the bright autumn air, Aiden let out a dramatic sigh.
“FINALLY.”
Aiden dragged the word out like it had personally offended him, spinning the office chair one last time before hopping off and marching toward the exit. I smothered a smile. The realtor offered another round of overly polite thank–yous before heading off toward her own car, heels clicking against the pavement.
I gave her a small wave, then turned in the opposite direction, trailing Jacob and Aiden down the sun–warmed sidewalk.
“So,” Jacob said after a few beats of companionable quiet, “what did you think? I really am sorry I missed the other two buildings. You see anything today that feels like a fit?”
I mulled it over. “Not really,” I admitted. “Nothing that bowled me over. They all kind of… blended together.”
He nodded thoughtfully, sipping from his coffee. “Hmm. Give me a few days. I have an idea.”
I shot him a sidelong glance. “Do I want to know?”
“That depends,” he said, flashing a grin. “Do you trust me?”
I snorted. “Not even a little.”
1/2
Chapter 240
+25 BONUS
He laughed, warm and low, like I’d just complimented him. “Sma woman.”
Der
Then he turned to Aiden, full of easy charm. “What do you think, big guy? Can I take you and your mom to get some ice cream?”
Aiden barely paused, his expression flat as he shoved his hands in is hoodie pockets.
“I don’t like ice cream,” he said evenly–a lie, I thought–and the added without missing a beat, “and don’t call me Big Guy.”
Jacob clutched his chest in mock offense, staggering dramatically. Brutal.“,
I bit the inside of my cheek to keep from laughing.
We walked on, the breeze stirring the hem of my coat, my fingers still wrapped around the warm coffee Jacob had somehow managed to get exactly right. The yellow rose peeked out of my bag, perfect and ridiculous.
Jacob Stormvale was not what I expected.
And I still wasn’t sure if that was a good thing.
