Page 96 of Fight

Blowing out a breath as I leave the realtor’s office, I stretch my neck from side to side in an effort to release the tension from the last few hours.

“Jasper?” a voice I recognize asks, making me turn. There aren’t many people who would know who I am.

My sister’s friend and business partner, Aisling stands there with a surprised look, her blonde hair blowing in the wind.

“What are you doing here?” I ask. She appears to be alone, which shouldn’t be happening, because I heard her father is very protective of his only child. “Are you okay?”

Pushing her hair out of her face, she nods, a sassy smile overtaking her lips.

“I’m hunting for a property for The Omega’s Haven,” she says. “It’s been a bitch to find anything, and no one wants to deal with me. Think if I had a dick it would be easier?”

“What would you do? Whip it out and yell, ‘I have a dick and I’m not afraid to use it,’” I yell, snickering. Aisling doubles over, snorting with laughter.

Ugh, I have a feeling I’m about to go back inside to hook Aisling up with my realtor.

“Does Wren know you’re looking at properties?” I ask her.

“Yeah, I told her I was going into the city, and even found a realtor, but he blew me off today,” she sighs. “I didn’t ask Shaw for help because I figured it shouldn’t be this fucking hard.”

Fuck, I’m like one breath away from Aisling bursting into tears.

“Okay, deep breath. It’s okay to ask for help and need it,” I tell her. “Shaw hooked me up with a realtor who helped me find a property in record time. Also, have you spoken to Gabriel yet? He mentioned he may have a place in mind.”

“I did. We were so excited to talk about him opening a mixed martial arts studio in Minneapolis that would also offer pro bono classes, that we didn’t talk about anything else,” she says, blushing.

“Eh, it happens,” I tease her. “Let me introduce you to my real estate agent. I’ll go with you, because some of these areas are in pretty sketchy places.”

“I can protect myself,” she complains as she follows.

“Mmhmm, I have no doubt that you can. I want to see where you decide the future home of The Omega’s Haven will be,” I say. It’s fun arguing with her, but I don’t want her out here alone.

Maybe it’s a double standard, however, she hasn’t been getting very far on her own, and I’m happy to offer my support.

“What were Gabriel’s thoughts on a location?” she asks, changing the subject. Hiding a smirk, I nod as I open the door to the office building for Marks Realty.

“He mentioned a warehouse that could be converted into both an office space for outreach work and a shelter. He mentioned he saw a few that may work that were also on the bus routes,” I explain.

“Holy shit, that would be amazing,” Aisling breathes, brightening.

“How have you been looking?” I ask her, raising a brow.

“The ‘for sale’ sites, but those aren’t very?—”

“Up to date,” Bailey says, almost walking into us. “Back so soon, Mr. Rivers?”

“I am, do you have some time today to take on another client?” I ask. “This is Aisling Sullivan. She and my sister are founding a foundation named The Omega’s Haven. They need a home for it.”

“That’s you?” Bailey asks, surprised. “I heard there was a huge charity event for it and you raised a ton of money, but didn’t hear anything more about it.”

“Turns out there’s a lot of behind the scenes work for something Iike this, and not much of it is glamorous,” Aisling jokes. “As you said, the sites aren’t updated, but the bigger factor is my age. No one wants to take me seriously.”

“I don’t really care about your age,” Bailey says, waving her off. “You can legally purchase property at eighteen years of age. You seem to be at least that?”

“I am,” she says with a nod. “I’m trying to stay positive, but the last four people I spoke to on the phone met with me and told me I was wasting their time.”

“Assholes,” Bailey mutters, amusing me. She played things close to her chest with me, showing me the property she knew I’d like best last, but something tells me she won’t play games with Aisling.

“Do you have an idea of what you’re looking for?”

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