Page 10 of Love Over Time

The place had that usual old-building, musty smell and white pillars supporting the high ceilings. I inhaled. This was another one of my great-grandfather’s designs.

“Good morning, Henry.” Mr. Paredes, the bank manager, stood to greet me. “You’re right on time. Sit down. How can I help you?”

Right to the point. “Did you get a chance to review my application? I need capital to restore the Cavalier Hotel.”

He nodded. “Yes. My wife says everyone in town is talking about the work you’ve done so far. They’re excited to see the hotel restored. Your father would be so proud.”

We both looked down. I swallowed the lump in my throat. It’d been fifteen years since Dad was murdered, and it still hurt the same way it had the day the paramedics came to take him from our house.

“I hope so,” I whispered.

“Listen, Henry. Your father was a good friend of mine, which is why I agreed to fast-track your application. Why I agreed to meet with you before bank hours. But the truth is, I can’t just give out money to people I know. There’s a process. Requirements. The property valuation will take a few more days. What’s the hurry?”

“You’re declining my application?” I leaned back on my seat.

“Of course not. I just can’t fast-track it like you wanted.” His features softened, and a smile spread across his face. “I hear there’s a lady in town who is more than willing to invest in your project. Have you considered her?”

Nikki had already gotten to him. This had nothing to do with financials or friendship. No doubt she’d already fed him some sob story about why she was here. “Have you met her?”

“Yes. Last night. The wife and I were out for a stroll. She’s, well, lovely, and I think she should be given an opportunity to join our community. Don’t you agree?”

I shook my head. He had no idea who she really was. Would he believe me if I told him? I doubted it. “Thank you for your time, Mr. Paredes.”

He stood and shook my hand. “Any time, Henry. You’ll be all right.”

I nodded and left. I’d placed all my hopes on getting a loan from the bank. Now I was at Nikki’s mercy.Goddammit. It didn’t take a genius to see she’d changed her mind about selling me her half of the hotel. What happened yesterday? I didn’t buy her bullshit story to Mr. Paredes about wanting to be part of this community. She didn’t need the Cavalier Hotel for that. What did she really want?

Back at the hotel, I parked near the wreckage. Nikki’s car was still in the ditch. This was on my to-do list for today, but first I had to deal with the Great Wall. I rolled up my sleeves and stomped to the front door, where loud music spilled out. It was a Spanish song with an upbeat tune and sexy undertones, just like Hipolita, or Nikki. I leaned on the threshold and admired the work she’d done with the place. Amazing what twenty construction workers and a very determinedand demandingwoman could do in two hours’ time. The place smelled of Pine-Sol and looked impeccable. At least her side of the wall did. Why hadn’t I thought to bring in the guys to help me out? Instead, I’d spent days removing debris and broken furniture on my own. Had I done it as punishment? As if the state of this place was my fault. No, I hadn’t left the way she had. I’d been sent away against my will.

Nikki stood behind what used to be the hotel reception desk. She’d set it up like a butler’s pantry, complete with an espresso machine. I smiled at the back of her as she danced to the beat, pouring a healthy dose of chocolate syrup in her milk.

The few weeks Nikki had spent at our house when we were kids, Mom would let us go in the kitchen and make ourselves hot chocolate. Even when it’d been a hundred degrees out, we’d sit in the garden and sip. We were only ten then, but it hadn’t taken long for her to become my first crush, my first love, and years later my first kiss. How did she not recognize me? Had I changed so much? I rubbed the dull pain in my chest. Of course I had. Dad’s death had changed everything, including me and this town.

“Finally, you’re staring at me like a proper creep.” She sauntered toward me, two cups in her hands. “Mocha? You look like a mocha kind of guy.”

Dad’s death had changed me, but not her. “No thanks. I prefer my coffee black.” I headed for the stairs.

“Henry. We need to talk, darling. Join me.”

My name on her lips froze me in place. I rubbed my chest and swallowed before I turned around. She gestured for me to take a seat onmysofa. Keeping my gaze on her, I obeyed her and closed the space between us. “The wall needs to come down.”

“Why?” She smiled and sipped her hot chocolate or mocha.

“I get it. You got me by the balls. You turned Mr. Paredes against me, my guys. I get it. We either work together, or we don’t work at all. Is that right?”

She cleared her throat, and small creases appeared between her brows. Was she expecting me to put up a bigger fight? “I’m willing to wait until tomorrow. Technically, you still have time to come up with the money.”

“You know that’s not going to happen. You’ll block me. But the fact that you’re willing to wait tells me you want my trust.”

She shrugged, looking at her mug.

I sat next to her. The sofa was still damp, but the coolness felt good. “You want my trust? Tell me why you’re here. And remember I’ll know if you’re lying.”

“It’s such a long story I don’t even know where to start.” She flashed me a bright, blinding smile before she ducked her gaze.

I was starting to think her act wasn’t an act, or maybe she’d done it for so long she didn’t realize she was doing it. “You could start with your real name.”

She opened her mouth and then closed it, her gaze trained on me. The fear in her expression made me want to hold her. But would she let me? Or would she run away again? She braced her arm on the back of the sofa. Her eyes focused on the other side of the window, on the massive sinkhole with her car at the bottom of it. Was it possible her life was a wreck, just like mine?

---