Page 79 of Marry Me, Right Now

The next morning, I sat on the balcony with a cup of tea and a notebook, thinking about what Jacob would do. He would analyze the situation and use all resources. Which is exactly what any of my friends would do, it’s just that Jacob had far more resources. Was there any logical reason why I couldn’t, or shouldn’t, do the same?

I made a list of everything I’d need to get started. For people to take me seriously, I’d need an office space. At our cocktail party, Jacob’s friend Dave mentioned that he was having trouble renting a few small offices along Queen Street West. He had said that companies who wanted to look flashy needed big glass windows, and companies who wanted to look funky wanted the giant brick and beam warehouse-style spaces.

The offices he’d been trying to lease were just nice little beige spaces with a couple of average windows, and were on the second floor, but there was no elevator.

I quickly sent him an email describing the arts collective I was starting, and if we could make a deal on the smallest space he had. I told him that the collective was on a tight budget, but we’d be happy to leave with a month’s notice if he suddenly had a tenant that wanted to take up all of the spaces.

Two hours later, I was touring the space with Dave, and making a deal for around fifty percent off what the lowest priced office in the best location should be. It was just a huge rectangular room, with a tiny washroom and storage room at the back end, but one wall was all brick, and there were two giant windows right on Queen Street. The concrete floor looked industrial chic, and indestructible. The long beige wall could easily be brightened up with some paintings, or more likely, huge planning charts.

“I’ll take it. This is perfect.”

“This is wonderful, Mia. I work with this landlord on many properties, and this is the only one that seems to be cursed. Once you jazz it up a bit and make it look lived in, would it be okay if I brought prospective renters for the other spaces by for a glance to see the potential?”

“Absolutely. I’d be delighted to help.”

Just like that, I had an office. And an unnamed business. And plans.

Although it was happening far too fast, I figured if I could get married immediately, I might as well start a business immediately. For the first time ever, I had absolutely nothing to lose, and a complete safety net. I felt so secure that it was almost unnerving.

JAC OB

>

WORKAHOLIC WIFE

Mia always astounded me, but her work ethic was incredible. A week after she had the idea, she had rented a tiny office above a plant store, and already had at least ten “clients”.

I left work early Wednesday afternoon and surprised her with a huge arrangement of flowers as she opened the door. “Oh my goodness, hi!” she exclaimed, genuinely shocked. “Thank you so much!”

“I hope this arrangement is up to your standards,” I joked.

“These are lovely, thank you.” She set them on the coffee table, waiting while I took a look around. It was hard to tear my eyes from her, looking so effortlessly sexy in a flowy black dress with chunky leather wristbands, her hair tousled and wild.

There was a huge desk at the back with a laptop, and a huge external monitor, plus two bookcases half full of books and boxes, and several chairs. The front area had a couple of huge coffee tables, three mismatched couches, and a few more folding chairs tucked in the corner.

Everything looked second hand, but it blended together in a bohemian riot of colors and textures.

“This is so comfortable,” I said. “Funky and low key, but chill. Like a cottage living room.”

She laughed merrily. “Precisely! You know the cottage is where everyone’s old furniture goes to retire. I made it a condition with my artists that they have to help this collective if they want to join. They hauled in the furniture, found the little fridge and coffee pot at the back, everyone brought mugs, chairs, books.”

“Mia, that’s amazing.”

“But it’s not just that.” Her eyes were sparkling with excitement. “All of the artists are going to help each other. A DJ is providing music for an art opening. A guitarist is also a graphic designer, so they’re doing the programs for a play. Now that everyone is connected, they’re all finding ways to boost everyone. And they are easily quadrupling the reach of their email lists by casually mentioning each other’s projects whenever they send out a blast, and inviting everyone to the main collective list which I’ve just started.”

My arms circled her without thinking, pulling her against my chest as I kissed the top of her head.

“You’re the hardest working woman I’ve ever met,” I said softly. “You couldn’t believe how much I admire you.”

She grinned up at me, and suddenly we were kissing. It was so natural, so perfect. Her lips were deliciously soft, her body dissolving against mine as her hands gripped the back of my hair, urgently pulling me tighter. Her light feminine scent filled me and I wanted to devour her whole.

Backing up with tiny steps, she led me to the couch. I laid over her, our lips never parting. My hand grazed her side, settling over her breast while she released a long, low sigh. Watching her eyes as I pinched her nipple gently through her dress, her head fell back with a moan. Then she leaned forward, crushing her lips against mine.

Feeling how much she wanted me, needed me, was intoxicating. Every inch of our bodies needed to be naked and together right this second. My hand found her inner thigh, sliding up gently until her tiny moan caused my pulse to race with desire.

Boot steps began stomping up the stairs to the office. In a heartbeat we were sitting beside each other politely.

She jumped up as she saw who it was through the half glass door. “Bryce, come on in!”

---