“Okay, well, thanks for the heads up.” Niko disconnected the call and stepped out of his SUV and headed into the office.
When he entered the real estate office, he saw a blonde he didn’t recognize. As he made his way to Lauren’s desk, she grinned and gestured to the woman sitting catty-corner from her. “Niko, have you met Grace Wells? She and her sisters own Brewed Awakenings.”
The woman looked up from a cloud-patterned day planner, her smile neat and practiced, like she’d spent a decade calibrating it for maximum professional charm. She had high cheekbones that made her bright blue eyes seem to glow under the office’s brittle fluorescent lights. Her sleek blonde hair was pulled back, and her white button-down shirt and black slacks had a polished effect that felt more Manhattan than Main Street.
“No, I haven’t. Nice to meet you, Grace.” He smiled.
“Likewise. My husband’s abigfan.” She grinned. “He still talks about that catch you made last Fourth of July.”
Niko shrugged with a sigh and a self-deprecating grin of remorse, responding the way he did every time that catch was brought up. “I would have traded that catch for a win.”
Her smile widened, shifting from professional to genuinely amused. “I’m surprised he hasn’t accosted you to find out if you’re going back next year or not.”
Niko smiled, just one more fan he’d be letting down. Grace’s phone rang, and she answered it as he turned his attention to Lauren. As soon as their eyes met, he could tell she knew hewasn’t returning to the team. Lauren had always been bright, and she never missed a thing. Thankfully, though, she didn’t push him on it.
“So, where do I sign?”
“Unfortunately, your offer was not accepted.”
“But… I thought you said…it was an all-cash offer, and you said?—”
“I didn’t realize anyone else was interested in the property. There was another offer.”
“For how much?”
“I’m not at liberty to say.”
“Who else put in an offer?” As the question formed in his head and came out of his mouth, he had his answer. “Brock Fucking Bartlett. It was Bartlett, wasn’t it?”
Lauren didn’t confirm, nor did she deny his allegation, which told him everything he needed to know.
“So that’s it? The owner accepted Bartlett’s offer?” Niko’s anger was rising to red level.
“No, he didn’t. He wants best and finals by close of business on Friday.”
“How do I know what to offer if I don’t know what that slimy piece of shit is offering?”
Lauren remained silent.
“Can’t you please just tell me who the owner of the building is?” Niko pleaded. “I really think if I can just speak to him, explain the situation, and make him see that I’ll give him everything that he needs, or even wants. I can show him he cannotsell it to that narcissistic, manipulating, borderline stalker piece of shit.”
Grace stood from her desk and gathered her coat. “I’m going to meet a client. It was so nice to meet you, Niko.”
“You too.” He smiled, trying to conceal the frustration he felt, it wasn’t Grace’s fault his world was turning to shit.
She stopped by Lauren’s desk and turned to Niko. “I know whatever you end up doing, going back to the team or starting something new, your fans, yourreal fans,will just want you to be happy.”
Niko wasn’t quite so sure about that, but he appreciated her saying it.
“Thanks.”
“Believe me, I know what it’s like starting over from scratch. I was a lawyer in L.A. before I moved to Hope Falls. I spent most of my days in courtrooms and county clerk’s offices, you know, where allproperty recordsare filed and available to thepublic.” She smiled and headed out.
When the door shut behind Grace, he turned back to Lauren.
“Pine Ridge,” she stated with a very wink-wink, nudge-nudge energy.
“What?” he asked.
