"Communities aren’t blank slates, right?"I was surprised by the steadiness in my own voice."When developers treat neighborhoods like they have no existing value, they miss opportunities to create something that actually serves the people who already call that place home."
Commissioner Torres nodded approvingly."Exactly right.Too often we see development that creates economic value on paper but destroys social capital in practice."
Cross’s smile had become increasingly strained.He almost looked bored."Of course community input is valuable.But we have to balance those concerns against economic realities and market demands."
"That makes sense," I continued, feeling more confident."But when you ignore or remove existing community assets, you're actually ignoring or removing economic value.The corner bodega that's been there for twenty years isn't just a business—it's infrastructure.The informal childcare networks, the seniors who know everyone on the block…that's all social infrastructure that has real economic worth."
Commissioner Torres nodded vehemently.“Absolutely.”
Sebastian tilted his head toward me, and I could feel his attention zero in like a laser beam.“So true.Where did you study urban planning, Clara?”
The question hung in the air like a trap.I felt Nash tense beside me.
“NYU,” I said with a big smile.“What about you?”
Nash turned toward me but used a voice loud enough for all to hear.“The Cross family doesn’t believe in higher education when it comes to their industry.”
Sebastian’s cold smile never faltered.“Our combined two hundred years of experience ensures that we are the foremost experts at what we do.”
Nash turned up the amperage on his smile, offering a hand to Commissioner Torres.“I won’t take up any more of your time.I know you have plenty of elbows to rub tonight.It was great seeing you, and I’ll be reaching out with the results of my latest community impact study.I’ve got a new one planned for a project I’m working on, and I’d love your feedback.”
“I’d be delighted,” Commissioner Torres said before bidding us all a good evening.Nash’s arm slid around my waist, coating me in the reassurance that I’d too-quickly come to expect from being at his side.I assumed Cross was going to drift away as well, but he stepped closer to Nash, too close for comfort.
Nash didn’t shrink, even though the other man had at least an inch of height on him.
“Interesting timing on the purchases in Queens yesterday.”His voice lacked any of the warmth he’d used when talking to Commissioner Torres.“I heard you paid thirty percent over asking price.You’re either very generous or very dumb.”
“And?”Nash challenged.
“What are you doing over there?”Cross asked.
“Nothing,” Nash replied with a cool smile at the same time his grip around my waist tightened.
Sebastian stared at Nash for so long that I grew nervous.But Nash never broke.
Finally, Cross sniffed and wandered off, being sure to hit Nash’s shoulder with his as he left.Once he’d been swallowed into the crowd, I grabbed Nash’s arm.
“Was that a silent threat?”I asked quietly.
Nash rolled his eyes.“A pathetic one if it was.But we need to find Archer.And possibly get drunk.”Nash searched the crowd, pulling me into him absentmindedly.I giggled into his chest.
“Time to convince the crowd?”
Nash looked down at me, amusement sparkling in his eyes.“We should, shouldn’t we?”He cupped the side of my face with a rough hand, his gaze skating back and forth across my face.
“I think we’re doing a good job so far,” I murmured, the rest of the gala shrinking away from us, fading into forgettable background noise.All I could see or hear right now was Nash.
“You killed it with Commissioner Torres,” he said, his thumb swiping along my jawline.“Thanks for that, by the way.”
“Pulled out the last few things I remember from my degree,” I said with a laugh.
“Do you want to get back into city planning?”Nash’s gaze searched mine.I never wanted to leave this spot, pressed up against the solid heat of him, getting lost in that icy blue abyss that held so much promise and warmth.
“I would like to,” I said, clasping my hands behind his back.It felt natural to wrap my arms around him.His other hand settled on my hip and tightened its grip, his fingers sinking into the softness there.
“You ever thought about green space planning?”His face drifted a little closer to mine.
“Uh…actually yeah.”I laughed.“How did you know?”
