Page 68 of Let Me Hold You

“Which might make the neighbors unhappy if they think their houses have been devalued.”

“If we were to buy this house, we would save it from other people who might not appreciate its history,” Levi said. “Down the road from here and a couple of streets over are new houses built on existing old lots. This property could end up being a tear-down lot and the charm of this house would be lost forever.”

Maggie smiled. “Seems like you are more attached to this house than I am.”

“Well, I have happy memories in this house with you and Malachi.”

“In that case, no harm getting a real estate agent to help us process these options.”

“I have just the person. She was my agent when I bought my Dunwoody house. I’m not attached to that house, and I’d rather live near Midtown Chapel. I think you and I like the urban lifestyle.”

“Wait. You’re moving into this house? We can’t be roommates.”

“We could get married,” Levi blurted and instantly regretted it.

“You’re funny.” Maggie laughed.

She didn’t know how serious Levi was. He should tell her about his other uncle who lived in Alaska. He proposed and married his wife three weeks after they met. That was a Theroux record. Levi couldn’t break it since he’d known Maggie for three years.

He wondered if Maggie was still trying to wrap around the fact that they were now dating each other. It was too soon to talk about marriage.

Maggie went on. “If we buy this house as an investment property, then neither of us could live here. We’d rent it out for profit. So where are you going to live? What about me?”

“Didn’t I just solve the problem?” Levi asked. Take two.

Maggie didn’t reply.

I guess she still doesn’t get it.

“Instead of working at Midtown Chapel, if I proceed as planned and move to Lakeside, I’d have a place to stay. If we can get a loan for our business investment without touching your Dunwoody house, then you also have a place to stay. The rent alone for this house will make the house payments each month, plus make us a profit.”

Levi’s heart sank. Maggie was still talking about Lakeside.

All indicators said to Levi that she had made a rash decision to quit her job that she loved very much. Nonetheless, Levi didn’t want to tell her what to do because he didn’t want her to blame him if something went south. He decided that the best way for him to help Maggie was to pray for her fervently and let God sort out her career for her.

Levi sighed. “Let’s call my agent and ask for a meeting while you’re still in town. She can show us all the possible options for our LLC.”

“Our LLC. We still need a name.”

“I love you,” Levi said.

“That’s not a good name. I Love You LLC? Seriously, Levi.”

Levi didn’t know what to think. Maggie was a smart lady who rarely missed the point, but now she seemed to be losing her ability to parse logic. Perhaps she was nervous in front of him. When was the last time Maggie had been nervous in front of him?

“Call your agent, Levi.”

Levi called but she wasn’t there. He left a message for Sally.

“Sally? Her name is Sally?” Maggie asked after he hung up.

“Yes.”

“Didn’t you talk to her last Saturday? She called you while we were at lunch.”

“You don’t miss anything, do you? How did you know who I talked to last Saturday?”

“I saw it on your phone when you took the call.”

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