Page 128 of Fanning the Flames

“Maybe if you have food service at your coffeehouse,” Perry said.

“That was never really my intention. I’d still like to have food trucks park in front.”

He made a noncommittal hum. “That Knollwood Village property would have worked out well for you.”

Sadie sighed. “Yeah.”

“If it had a better landlord, would you have said yes?”

“Totally. I mean I would have freaked out and Joanie would’ve had to calm me down, but then I would’ve said yes.”

He looked at her, afternoon sunlight catching on his glasses. “Good news. The owners are highly motivated to sell the building.”

She turned to face him. “What do you mean?”

“They received a lucrative offer from an interested party on the condition the management company isn’t retained after the sale.”

Huh? “What does that mean?”

Perry’s lips twitched. “Gus wants to buy the building.”

“What? Why?”

“Because you want to open a café.”

Sadie’s heartbeat kicked up a notch. “I didn’t think Gus liked me.”

“She likes you fine. I told her about that lease addendum. She said it was, and I quote, ‘utter horseshit.’ She wants to support a woman-owned business. She knows how much this means to you.”

What was… What? Gus? Gus thought Sadie was Joan’s biggest weakness. She didn’t like her. She didn’t like anyone. “I don’t understand.”

“I said I was thinking about buying it.” Perry grinned. “Revenge and all.”

“Yes, your favorite, I know.”

“But I’m too involved with the café. Gus said she’d go ahead and buy it if it was the perfect location. She lived in the Village for a time, so she’s familiar with it.”

Sadie leaned over her chair’s arm. “I’m really not trying to… But like, really? Really really?”

“Really really,” Perry said.

“Is it financially doable and won’t put her in dire straits?”

“I’ve helped her invest her generous retirement package.”

“You’re good at stuff like that?”

He made a face. “I have an MBA. Why do you all keep forgetting that?”

“Oh, you never let us forget.”

So Gus was actually doing this for Perry. To be more involved in his life here in the city. Still, this was a good thing. Like, a really good thing. Like,Holy crap, Gus wants to buy the building so Sadie’s Café can be the tenant.

Perry gestured with his phone. “Should I make the call? It’s up to you.”

“For real?”

Irritation creased the skin between his brows. “Would I have brought it up if it wasn’t?”

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