Page 46 of We Can Stay
“Mmm?”
Wrapping my arms around her waist, I pull her close. She tilts her head back, hazel eyes searching mine with a silent question.
I press my lips to hers, soft yet insistent, tender but with an underlying heat that makes me forget we’re standing in a dusty barn in the middle of nowhere.
Her mouth moves against mine, steady and constant, a comforting touch that also send a sharp thrill through me. I push my fingers through her hair and tug her even closer, wishing that somehow we could get close enough to become one.
A throat clears loudly.
We break apart to find Lil Peters standing in the doorway, arms crossed, cigarette dangling from her lips.
“If you’re done christening my barn...”
I keep one arm around Flick holding her to my side, as her cheeks flush in embarrassment from being caught by our ill-mannered guide. “Sorry, Ms. Peters.” Though my voice holds not one ounce of apology. “I’ll take it.”
She barks out a laugh. “Might want to hear the rest before you commit.”
My stomach drops. “The rest?”
Lil gestures for me to follow her back outside. After sharing a quick glance with Flick, I start to follow, my pulse quickening.
“I’ll wait here. Need to catch up on some emails anyway.”
“You sure?” I glance at her over my shoulder.
“Go.” She nods toward the door. “Find out what’s going on.”
“Be right back.”
I follow Lil to the side of the stable, where she wastes no time. “I’m going to need the money a month sooner than we talked about.”
My jaw drops. “Wh?—”
“There’s another buyer interested, and they offered fifty thousand above the asking price.”
Somehow, my jaw drops even farther. “That’s?—”
“I know, kid. I’d rather sell to you since you’re doing something good with the land. This guy, he’s going to put condos here. Not ideal, but I’ve got a retirement to fund.”
I finally close my mouth, at a loss. How can I argue with that?
And yet… She’s giving me a chance to still come out on top. If only I can get the money together quick enough.
“A month earlier?” I rasp.
She nods once.
I do some quick mental calculations, thinking about all the planning I’ve done to get this sanctuary going. The money won’t be released for over another month, not unless I pull some serious strings and make promises I might not be able to keep.
But I can’t give up. Not yet.
“You can’t budge on that?” I ask.
She gives me a look that says it all.
I sigh. “Damn it.”
Lil checks her wristwatch. “I’ve got to go. You let me know. I can’t wait around forever, though.”
