Page 25 of Forget

Doubling over, I snort with laughter, realizing how much I needed that. I’m also laughing a little harder than necessary, because I feel on the edge of tears and hysteria now that I’m in front of someone I know. Granted, I don’t know him very well, but a friendly face is better than the people I’ve been dealing with all day.

“Does Wren know you’re looking at properties?” he asks me. “I know the fundraiser did really well.”

“It did! I told her I was going into the city, and even found a realtor, but he blew me off today,” I sigh. I hold back the fact that it wasn’t just one, but fourteen different realtors. “I didn’t ask Shaw for help because I figured it shouldn’t be this fucking hard.”

Jasper’s eyes grow wide as he stares at me as if I’m a walking time bomb. I blink rapidly because I don’t want to cry. It’ll be utterly embarrassing, and one more thing for me to lament over in my nest with ice cream.

“Okay, deep breath. It’s okay to ask for help and need it,” he tells me. “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 nod, explaining that we started talking about things but got sidetracked. “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,” I admit, blushing.

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

“I can protect myself,” I complain as I follow, discreetly showing him the knife in my bag across my chest.

Jasper shakes his head, muttering about the friends his sister keeps as he escorts me back inside the building he just left.

“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,” he says.

I have a feeling this is his version of putting his foot down, but I don’t want to fight it. He’s right, I need help, and I’ll happily put my ego aside for this. It’s more that I’m frustrated with the world and the assholes who run it.

“What were Gabriel’s thoughts on a location?” I ask, really wanting to know. He has great instincts, and is best friends with Cerenity’s business partner. I also recently found out that they’re more than just business partners, and I expect to find her packed up soon.

She was kidnapped not too long ago, which is one of the reasons everyone is so worried about my safety. Cere owns Club Cerenity, is a huge advocate of omega rights, and has been Wren and my cheerleader since we originally came to her with the idea of a fundraiser as a fight night.

Wren mentioned her brother was moving permanently to Minneapolis in an effort to formally court Cere and be closer to her. I need a night to gossip with her and find out all the details.

Some of the men courting her are mafia made men, and if I’ve learned anything about them recently, it’s that they don’t like to bend.

I hope she gives them hell.

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

“Holy shit, that would be amazing,” I breathe, brightening. This would give us space to do workshops, help people who need a place to stay, find work, or organize legal support. God, can you imagine if we could also do group therapy there or arrange space in the shelter for omegas going through heat?

“I can’t stop thinking about all the possibilities, Jasper.”

“I know it will be everything you and Wren have ever dreamed of. Now, tell me how you’ve been looking for properties?” he insists.

Sighing, I nod, getting down to brass tacks as we approach the realtor’s office. “The ‘for sale’ sites, but those aren’t very??—”

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

“I am, do you have some time today to take on another client?” he asks. “This is Aisling Sullivan, Bailey. 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,” I joke. “As you said, the sites aren’t updated, but the bigger factor is my age. No one wants to take me seriously. I haven’t had any luck today.”

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

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

“Assholes,” Bailey says, and I smile, having a feeling I’ll finally be able to find a home for my passion project. “Do you have any idea what you want?”

Sucked into her orbit, I tell her about Gabriel’s idea, because now that I know about it, it’s the only thing I want. Today may have started out like shit, but by the end of the day, I’ll actually have a home for the Omega’s Haven.

“I can’t believethey didn’t want to take you seriously,” Flynn says, curled up next to Wren and I on the deep set couch.

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