I followed Lewis to the entrance, where after fitting a key into a lock on the security panel, the large glass doors slid open.
“Currently, there are two settings for the door,” he said as we entered the lobby area. “One is fully motion-sensored, the other allows for biometric access only.”
Joel would have a conniption about the first, possiblyeven the second. He was every bit the control freak Noreen accused him of being at times. Undoubtedly, he’d want whichever one of his guys was manning the front desk to have absolute power over who got in the building.
“The previous owners were into research and development,” Lewis pointed out. “The first two floors each have the workspace your assistant inquired about.”
“How many floors in total?”
“Five, which includes a separate executive apartment on the top level. We’ll start our tour there and work our way down.”
An hour later, I knew it was fate. The building was move-in ready and even more perfect than the space we rented in New York; cheaper too. My accountant would be pleased.
“How motivated are the sellers?” I asked when we returned to the lobby.
“Extremely. This property has been stagnant for well over six months. What are you thinking?”
“The ask is three-point-five, correct?” He nodded. “Offer two-point-nine, all cash, seven-day close. If they counter, you’re authorized to come up to three-one, same terms.”
“Consider it done.”
We shook hands then parted ways. I had no doubt the man would bust his ass to get the deal done quickly. Money was a helluva motivator, and Lewis was looking at a hefty commission for his efforts.
By the time I stepped back outside the skies had cleared, although the storm had no effect on the humidity, which capped out at a whopping seventy-seven percent. If anything, it was even stickier than before. What I needed was a cool shower and a cold beer, both of which wouldhave to wait. There were a few stops I had to make on the way back to my rental.
First, grocery shopping. Noreen would have happily ensured my refrigerator was filled to the brim. However, I preferred a more hands-on approach when it came to picking out produce.
Thankfully, the store was relatively empty for a Tuesday afternoon. Once the rickety cart was bursting at the seams with the essentials, I paid for my purchases, then loaded them in the trunk of my SUV.
Next up—after a Google search of the area—was a florist. Before Waverly, I never would’ve considered myself to be overly romantic, but my girl deserved to be pampered, starting with a bouquet of fresh flowers. Her reaction to our dinner on the beach gave me the distinct impression she wasn’t used to someone going out of their way to make her happy. It was a travesty I’d make certain to correct. Starting now.
I pressed a button on the steering wheel, then said, “Call Waverly” after the tone sounded. Ringing filled the cabin of the SUV. Once, twice. The third cut off midway when she answered.
“What can I do for you, Finn?”
My dick hardened as I imagined her naked, on her knees, asking the same question. I shook the wicked thoughts out of my head before I ended up crashing the car.
“You can start by telling me what time you’ll finish up tonight.”
She sighed. “It might be late.”
“What do you consider late?”
“Seven, maybe eight. It depends on how much I can get accomplished over the next several hours.”
“How about you come to my place when you’re done and I’ll have dinner ready for you?”
“You cook?”
I smiled at her teasing tone.
“I’m no Gordon Ramsey, but I know my way around a kitchen.”
“I’ll be the judge of that.”
Glancing in the rearview mirror, a large, dark pickup truck came into view. It sped around the last curve completely on the wrong side of the road and it was closing in fast. The tiny hairs on the back of my neck stood on end. Something was off.
“Shit,” I muttered.
