Page 65 of The Billionaire Land Baron

“I sense a story there. Do you have time to talk? The girls are playing with Leo out back, so I can actually carry on a conversation for once.”

Jake stacked the books on a shelf together so he could have free hands. “I have a few minutes. I’m not sure where to start, though. I think I need advice.”

“You? My brilliant and successful billionaire brother wants my advice?”

“Shut up. Not like I don’t ever ask.”

“You don’t. And you don’t listen when I give it without asking, so this is a first. We should make a plaque to commemorate. Now tell me what you need advice about. Please, please tell me it’s a girl.”

“It’s a girl.” Candace squealed and Jake held the phone away from his ear, smiling. “You done?” he asked.

She cleared her throat. “Yes. Professional here, ready to dispense very professional advice.”

“I met someone amazing, but it’s complicated. She lives here in this tiny town I’m in and I know she won’t leave.”

Candace was quiet. “Baby bro, I want you to meet a girl. But I don’t want you to move to Tiny Town, Texas.”

“I know.” He sighed.

“She wouldn’t move for you? And hang on—this is huge. You’re talking about moving. How long have you known this girl? Because this sounds like crazy talk. I think you need to get back up to Chicago where the air is clearer.”

“Does it really matter how long I’ve known her?”

“To talk about moving for her? Yes. You’ve been gone about a week, right? Could you make a big decision like that after a week?”

He didn’t want to tell her that it was less than a week. “What about long distance? People do that, right? And it works?”

“It usually ends badly. Unless there’s already a great foundation in place. Like, a longer-term relationship. I’m sorry—I feel like I just totally crushed all your hopes and dreams.”

“Dream crusher,” he said. “It’s a good nickname.”

“Shut up.”

“I’m curious and not trying to be judgmental. What is it about her that has you asking for advice and thinking about moving? Is she really hot or something? Are you just, like, attracted to her?”

“She’s beautiful, but no. It’s not just that.” Jake thought about how to explain Shelby in words. “I don’t know how I can even describe her. She’s a spitfire. Crazy. Amazing. I just feel like I can’t get enough of her and I don’t want to. I’m not ready to leave her. I’m not ready to say goodbye or to give up on an idea of a future. I think…maybe I’d like to stay longer. See where this goes.”

When the silence stretched out, he spoke again, “Candace?”

“I’m here. I just…I’ve never heard you sound like this. It gives me hope and makes me happy. I’m just trying to get my brain around it. What does Xan say?”

Jake sighed. “I’m currently avoiding him, for work reasons. Plus, he’s got the worst advice. New girl every weekend for him. He’d have one every night of the week if he weren’t so busy. Commitment isn’t his thing.”

“Your boss is a cad.”

“He’s really not. It just looks like it because he won’t commit. He’s not sleeping with the women he dates, Candace. He just doesn’t go out with the same woman twice.”

“Still. It’s gross. Who will ever want to marry him if he’s acting like such a playboy?”

“Focus. Back to me and my problems.”

“Sorry.”

“I think that I could finish up this deal with Xander in Chicago and then take some time off to come back down here. Spend some time with her and see what happens.”

“That sounds like a good idea,” she said carefully. “It’s hard to picture you not working.”

“I’m sure I’d find something to do. The whole laptop lifestyle people are always going on about. And I’ve been working really hard with no break for five years. It’s about time, right?”

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