He punched in a code to a digital lock that hadn’t been there before and opened the door. “I just do.”
My breath caught. The place was beautiful, and that wasn’t a word I would have associated with this apartment when I rented it. There was fresh paint, crown molding, new hardwood flooring throughout, and a small but bright new kitchen with stainless-steel appliances and elegant white cabinets. I rushed back out to check the number on the glossy black door. “Is this really my old apartment? There’s no smell, and it’s charming.”
Jack nodded. “Same unit, different neighbor. Turns out the one you didn’t like had a small hydroponic weed farm growing in his apartment, causing the moisture issues.”
I looked up and sighed. “That explains a lot. But how do you know all this? Did you help them remodel?”
He waggled his head. “Not exactly. I own the building now, and I hired one of Max’s construction crews, who were in between projects, to remodel.”
“You own the building,” I said dryly. “Likeown it, own it?”
He nodded, seemingly nervous at my response.
I pinched the bridge of my nose. “Why would you buy this crap building?”
He looked around. “It had good bones and was in a solid location.”
“But whythisone?”
“Your having lived here was part of it. And I hate it when owners let properties get run-down. I’ve also been looking for something my dad can move into. I’d thought to buy a Victorian like Max’s, but then I saw this place and figured it would do. I made an offer on the building as soon as you moved into my place.” He looked out the window to the scaffolding. “We closed within a week and have been working on it ever since. Still waiting on the elevator installation and a couple other items.”
“An elevator?” I threw my hands up. “Jackson, how can you afford a freaking building?”
“I’ve explained this. I’ve been lucky in business.”
“This isn’t luck. You bought an entire building on a whim. The cost of remodeling as fast as you did… That must have cost a fortune too.”
* * *
I’d never hadto point out my net worth. Most people—usually the wrong ones—already knew, the sneaky bastards. After the first billion, I stopped paying much attention. Anything above that seemed ridiculous, so I left it to my accountant and Max to oversee things.
The point being, I understood Elise’s reaction. I’d have the same one if I were in her shoes. But I didn’t want any secrets with her. “I’m not the richest man alive, but as of the last time I checked, I have about eleven billion in assets.”
She stopped talking and her jaw dropped. She stood like that for a solid thirty seconds, and I began to worry. “Elise?”
“I’m sorry, I thought you said you have eleven billion dollars.” She laughed nervously. “You must have meant million—eleven million, right? Though that’s still a lot.”
Shit.“You heard correctly. Is that a problem?”
She blinked rapidly and started to pace, smacking her feet on the new hardwood. “Is that aproblem?” Her voice had turned maniacal. “Are you kidding me, Jack? You live in a small apartment in your best friend’s Victorian. How can you have that much money? You’re not spending it.”
“I spend it on new businesses.” I glanced around. “And on real estate, as you can see. I like living in Max’s Victorian. He has good taste, and I’m nothing if not practical.”
She stopped her pacing, her expression pleading. “Jackson, please tell me you aren’t a billionaire cash-hoarding asshole?”
Okay, this was a first. Usually, whomever I dated wanted me to take them to Lake Como on Max’s private jet, because they knew enough about me and Max to know I could afford it. “It’s obnoxious, which is why I don’t talk about money. I try not to think about it. But don’t forget, money can make positive change too. I have an entire foundation that gives an astronomical amount of cash to charities and supports thousands of scholarships each year. It’s put to good use.”
She grabbed her head, eyes wide. “I don’t even know how someone becomes this rich. Are you some kind of genius?”
“Uh… No?”
“You’re lying! I can see it in your eyes!”
I stepped forward and reached for her hands, pulling them down. “I’ve been able to give billions to programs that help people, and that’s the best part about being rich.”
“Please don’t mention theb-word. Let’s just call it them-word.”
“Millions?”
