Page 89 of Moonlight Feels Right
Kaia came back with margaritas and also with Lexie. They accepted their drinks as the two women sat on the lounger across from them.
"Congrats, Hunter," Lexie said. "Kaia gave me the update."
He hadn't realized how many of his neighbors were following his journey, and he was touched by their interest. "Thanks. How are things going around here? Didn't I hear something about the new owner coming by?"
"He stopped by for a very short visit last weekend. I sent him an analysis of our business that Ava created for us, and he has backed off on his plan to sell, at least for now. He said he's busy with a merger, and he doesn't have time to deal with this, so we can revisit things in a few months, but we still need to get some of our operating expenses in a better place."
"Does that mean our rent will go up?" Kaia asked.
"Probably not any of your rents, but some of the tenants who have been here for over ten years may have to start paying a more equitable rate. Ava made some suggestions that we're going to take a closer look at, but we have a little breathing room, which is great."
He was happy to hear there wouldn’t be any immediate changes. He might not be here much longer, but he wanted Bree and Olivia to have a stable living situation for at least the school year.
"Tacos are ready," Liam called out from across the pool. "Come and get them."
Kaia and Lexie jumped up while he and Emmalyn stayed where they were.
"I'll let the crowd clear out," she said.
"Me, too." He gave her a smile. "I've missed you, Em. Tomorrow night, I'll be done with everything. Can I take you out to dinner?"
Indecision played through her eyes, but finally, she said, "I'd like that."
Relief ran through him. They might be coming to an end, but he wasn't ready for that end to be now. "It's a date." As he finished speaking, a splash of water hit the side of his face. He turned his head to see Olivia giving him a mischievous grin.
"Hey, you got me wet," he told Olivia.
"You should come swimming," Olivia said. "The water is warm."
"Maybe another time. How was school today?"
As Olivia launched into a long story about her new friend, Lucy's cat, Emmalyn excused herself, and his gaze followed her.
The courtyard was crowded now with so many of his new friends and neighbors talking, laughing, and living life. As Emmalyn joined the crowd, she smiled and exchanged a hug with Ben. He knew it was probably just a thank-you for all the help Ben had been giving her, but he couldn't help feeling a twinge of jealousy. He had no right to feel that way. He had one foot out the door, but the thought of Em with someone else was very hard to swallow.
He reminded himself these were her friends, that she could have dated any of the single guys before now, but Ben had only moved in a few months ago. And there was another guy sharing Skye's apartment who was new. Plus, Liam had some Australian friends over, and they were charming the women with their accents and good looks. He frowned when one of those guys said something to Emmalyn and she laughed. His gut clenched again.
"Hunter," Olivia said. "Are you listening to me?"
He refocused on Olivia's annoyed face. "Sorry, what did you say?"
"I asked if you'd come over tonight and tell me another story about Daddy before I go to bed?"
"Sure, I can do that."
Her face brightened. "About a monkey?"
"Maybe something else," he replied, not sure exactly what he would tell her, but he had a million stories about Gary.
"You need to get out and dry off," Bree told Olivia as she joined him. "Then we'll get a taco before we head upstairs."
As Olivia swam to the steps, Bree gave him a smile. "I heard your good news, Hunter. I'm happy for you."
"I still have to fly tomorrow, and that will be the first time in a long time that Gary won't be by my side."
"He'll be there, Hunter," Bree said. "You'll take him with you, and you won't let what happened to him stop you from flying, because you and Gary were born to fly. And Gary will be there in your head, cheering you on every step of the way. You just have to be willing to hear him. You can't let the pain keep him out of your head. Trust me, I know."
A knot grew in his throat. "I will take him with me. And I'll fly for both of us."
