Page 37 of Like You Love Me

London’s grin broadened. “Yes, it’s better than wonderful. That area of New Castle has slowly been dying out. We need businesses to breathe life into the community. Which is where you come in, Deb.”

Debra arched a brow at him. “I’m listening.”

London popped the cap from the bottle and leaned back against the countertop as he explained. “Almost the entire strip mall is empty. I called the owner on the way home and made him an offer to purchase the space.”

“Really? You bought another commercial real estate property?” Bianca said approvingly. A few of the restaurant locations were leased, but London owned the majority.

“Yes, I plan to upgrade the building and then attract other businesses to return to the area.” His eyes shifted to Debra. “How about opening aDebbiecakesin New Castle?”

“Oh, that’s an interesting idea,” Bianca cosigned, but Debra frowned.

“I don’t know. It’s hard enough running the two shops that I have.”

Bianca waved dismissively. “Oh, please, you have amazing managers. Offer one of them the opportunity to run your New Castle location, and I bet you they will jump at the chance.”

London took a sip and nodded. “It has the potential to be a great location. Plenty of parking, and you can have as much or as little of the strip mall you want.”

Bianca reached for a loaf of garlic bread as she said, “Debbie, I heard you say before that you wish you had more room so that you could expand and add a bookstore.”

“Yes, which is where Brenna comes in,” London said before taking a thirsty swallow. “I’m going to ask her if she’d like to expand her bookstore. Maybe the two of you could open a combined location.” Brenna owned the Cornerstone Bookstore on Main Street.

“She and I have talked about combining forces, but it’s never been any serious discussion.” Debra’s expression had softened, and interest was now twinkling in her eyes. “I like that, but before you offer the space to anyone else, I would like to look at it. If it’s big enough, I might be interested in acquiring much of the strip mall.”

“Whatever it takes to get that area back to business, I’m game.” London met her gaze, and there was a conspiratorial gleam in Debra’s eyes.

“I might have a few ideas.”

Bianca’s beamed with pleasure. “Oh, this is exciting! Babe, why don’t you go get comfortable? We can talk some more during dinner.”

“Where’s Sierra?” he asked.

“She’s up in her room doing homework.”

“I promised I would go over her lines with her when I got home.” He finished the beer and strolled across the room. “I’m going to change and be back in a few.”

“Tyrese is in the spare room sleeping,” Bianca said, holding up a baby monitor.

He nodded.

“Dinner will be ready in about fifteen minutes,” Debra called after him. As soon as London was climbing the stairs, Debra and Bianca shared a look. “Tell him, Bianca.”

Feeling another pang of guilt, Bianca sucked in a deep breath and nodded.

Chapter 9

Over the following week, Bianca made phone calls to organizations that pledged to support the event and then spent the better part of each day working on the Beaudacious Bachelors’ Auction logistics. Several parking lot attendants from the Beaumont Hotel jumped at the chance to make extra money. Providing VIP parking added a flair of class to the event that they hoped would attract the level of clientele that resulted in higher bids and more money donated to a good cause.

On Wednesday, Sheyna had returned to the office. They both met with the prosecuting attorney and then the two went to a French restaurant for lunch, and it felt like old times. The twinkle had returned to Sheyna’s eyes, and Bianca couldn’t be happier.

Or could she?

Bianca released a sigh of despair as she thought about the only problem left that needed to be fixed. Collin had been texting her for the last two days, and she had yet to respond.

I am disappointed we couldn’t work this out together.

He had sent the message an hour ago, and it wasn’t what he said but what he hadn’t said that scared her. Was he ready to get the lawyers involved? She crossed her arms beneath her breasts and thought about that scenario. Things could get ugly, and word would get out. Or worse, he could tell Sierra himself. There was only one way to avoid all that; giving him what he wanted.

“Bianca, meet with the man,” Sheyna had said while discussing at lunch. “What harm would come into talking and finding out what Collin wants?”

---