Page 109 of The Playboy Billionaire

Jaxson’s lips twitch, and I smack his arm. April sashays passed us and out towards the car.

Mason drops us off outside the main area. Like Sunny Down, we created Copper Town out of converted warehouses and run-down tower blocks. The residents have turned the once gangland paradise into a hive of activity and businesses. I want to show April that it’s not only the residents who moved in but the community who already lived here who have thrived.

April gets out of the car, her eyes wide as she takes in the buildings and businesses. Jaxson steps forward.

He points out his eco features, explaining how they’ve made the buildings super-efficient and reduced their energy ratings. From electricity to water consumption, even gas. It’s all as efficient as it can be. All down to his genius. On the outside, the old factory brickwork has been repointed and the windows replaced, making the apartment’s bright living spaces.

“Where would you like to eat?” Knowing after a day of dancing, she’s usually starving.

“Can we wander around for a bit?” she asks, turning to face me, her eyes wide, her expression intense.

“Of course,” I say, motioning for her to lead the way.

April fires questions at us, which we take turns in answering. Several business owners pop out when they see us wandering around.

“Mrs Dale, lovely to see you,” I say to the lady, who is just about to close her coffee shop.

“Well, if it isn’t Caleb Frazer. It’s been too long, young man,” she says, dropping everything on the table and coming towards us. “And Mr Lockwood. You boys get finer looking every time I see you both.” She winks at April, who smacks a hand over her face.

“I don’t think these two need any more of an ego boost,” she laughs.

“Probably not, but what they’ve done for this community, how they’ve helped us and… did I tell you?” She changes tack quickly. “Johnny has now completed his culinary school training. He’s taken over Bobby’s Bistro. Old Bobby retired last year, and Johnny stepped in.”

I turn to April. “Johnny is Mrs Dale’s grandson. He won a Frazer scholarship. He’s been in culinary school this past three years.”

“And it’s all down to this man. My Johnny had nothing, was running with the wrong crowd. Caleb gave him a purpose.”

Time to move on. Before April thinks I’ve set this up. What she is unaware of is that numerous comparable stories exist in this area. Where we’ve tried to help the community grow and prosper. As if sensing April’s interest. “My Johnny isn’t the only one. There have been schemes to help with business set-ups, reduced rents to employ local workers.”

I step forward, knowing now might be the time to rescue April.

“We are looking for dinner. We’ll head over to Johnny’s and eat there,” I say, earning myself the biggest, widest grin.

“God bless you both,” Mrs Dale says to Jaxson and me. I’m not the only one whose cheeks are a little flushed as we say our goodbyes.

When we are out of sight, April turns, her eyes sparkling. “I assume you didn’t plan that sales pitch,” April says, her eyes sparkling.

“No,” Jaxson says. “But she is one reason I suggested we bring you here. Caleb needs to show you what Sunny Down will look like once he refashions it. We want the current community to help build what will be there. Run the businesses, employ locals.”

April turns to Jaxson. “If Sunny Down is anything like this. Wow.”

We arrive outside Bobby’s Bistro. Johnny has kept the name, and the place is buzzing. We enter, only to be rushed by one of the servers.

“Hi, I’m Wendy. If you could follow me,” she says. “Mrs Dale just called. Johnny has set aside a table for you. He said he’ll be out to see you shortly.”

“Please tell him not to go to any trouble,” I say, seeing how manic the restaurant is. I doubt he needs to take time playing nice with customers.

She gives me one ofthosesmiles. The one that says,yeah right.

She hands us some menus and tells us she’ll be back to take our orders.

April is busy looking around. “This is impressive,” April says, looking down the menu.

I agree with her. It is impressive, and I feel a sense of pride swell in my chest at Johnny’s achievements and how far he’s come.

Wendy returns and takes our order, allowing us to make small talk in the meantime.

“Jaxson, how long will you be staying in the UK?” April asks, focusing her attention on my friend, my jaw muscles tensing as I watch on.

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