Page 41 of Like You Love Me

London immediately shook his head. “Yo, Rance, man, why’d you let her walk out the house in those?” he said, pointing down at her feet.

“When have you ever known my wife to listen to me?” Rance muttered.

“I heard that,” Debra warned before her gaze shifted back to the building. “Now grab those keys, and let’s get inside. It’s cold out here.”

London removed the keys from his pocket and signaled with a wave of his hand for the two of them to follow him to the storefront to the right of the restaurant.

“How long has this place been closed?” Rance asked.

“For too long, but with your help, we’re gonna have this strip booming in no time.”

Debra grinned. “I can see it. I already can see it,” she said. London saw the excitement in her eyes that mirrored how he felt. Debra was an entrepreneur, so she had a vision for business like he did.

London opened the door of the store, and they walked around. Like the rest of the strip, the space was dusty and dirty. He swatted away cobwebs so they could move through a door. The place had formerly been the home of a K-Mart. The small food court was to the left of the building. Debra began discussing the idea of expanding to extend closer to the front.

“Did you get a chance to talk to Brenna?” he asked.

Debra’s head tilted to one side as her eyes took in the space. “Yes, and she is on board. We are going to openDebbiecakes’first bookstore slash cupcake joint. We’d like to offer hoteling office space with monitors and docking stations for hourly rental, including printing, and scanning services.”

A smile spread across London’s face. As she talked business, he noticed Rance watching Debra—his gaze devouring every word. Rance Beaumont was one NBA basketball player who loved and admired his wife. By the time they were exiting the store, he already had a verbal commitment from Rance to lease the space for five years.

“Man, you got yourself a deal. Whatever my wife wants.”

Debra slid an intimate look at her husband. “Thank you, babe.”

Rance’s lips curled into a slow, teasing grin. “Hey, happy wife. Happy life.”

While licking her lips into a sultry smile, she met her husband’s saber-colored eyes, and they shared a look before she shifted her gaze back to London. “I am looking forward to being partners.”

While London secured the locks on the door, Rance walked up behind Debra, bending low to murmur in her ear. Watching the two of them had London thrumming with anticipation to get back to Sheraton Beach and arrange a getaway with Bianca. As he turned and headed toward their vehicles, a gray Tesla with tinted windows pulled up into the parking spot beside him.

“Look at this dude here,” Rance said, elbowing London. The two exchanged a knowing look, then watched as Diamere Redmond stepped out of his vehicle.

“Whassup!” he said, waving his hands in the air. He was wearing a leather jacket, jeans, and a red skull cap on his head to match his sneakers.

“What’s up, cuz.” Rance walked over and gave him a firm handshake.

Debra embraced him with a big hug. “How are Kelly and your son doing?”

His warm brown eyes crinkled when he smiled. “They’re doing great. She’s back to teaching now that he started kindergarten.”

“That is wonderful.” London stepped over and gave him dap.

Debra nodded. “You tell her I said hello, and we all need to get together soon.”

“The fellas are planning a road trip.” London pointed. “This one here gave us tickets to the next home game.”

Diamere was pumped. “I already told Jaden to tell me when and you know I am there.”

“No doubt.” London gave him another fist bump.

Diamere’s eyes shifted over toward the building. “I can’t believe the restaurant is still closed.” He shook his head.

“Not for much longer. We’re going to reopen better than ever.”

“For sure,” Diamere said while blowing warm air onto his cold hands. “I’m just glad you invited me to be a part of this venture.”

London nodded. “Absolutely. We’ve done business together in the past, so there is no doubt we can do business again.”

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