Her shoulders sink. “Nah, what’s silly is the price the sellers are asking, and apparently, they have a whole list of stipulations for who they will sell to.”
I chuckle nervously. “Molly mentioned. Anyhow, it’s a great space, but it will be for someone else.”
“As long as it won’t be a new café,” she retorts.
I offer a weak smile as she leaves our table, and I turn my attention back to Oliver whose brows are furrowed, and he stares at me with a peculiar interest.
“What am I missing?”
Stirring my coffee, for some reason I’m near bashful. It’s probably because I don’t often share my wishful idea, but with Oliver, it comes easy. “It’s nothing.”
“Clearly not.” His tone is persistent and scorchingly hot.
So much so that I dissolve into compliance. “I kind of had a crazy idea to open a preschool. As much as I love teen drama, I would rather teach kids who learn through play and every little thing is new.”
“I never realized how serious you were about it. You mentioned a few times at Liam’s that you wanted to teach younger kids.” He sounds truly intrigued.
Now, I’m just playing with the spoon to avoid meeting his eyes that feel like they are drilling into me. “It’s a silly idea. Not sure why I went to the open house.”
He reaches across the table, and the moment his fingers touch my wrist, fireworks boom inside my chest.
“Probably because it could be a reality. Tell me about the place.”
Get your fingers off me and maybe I can think straight.
He must read my mind, and after one caress of my wrist, he abandons our touch.
No, keep your fingers on me.
My eyes shift up to find him staring at me intently. “The building that used to be a furniture store is on the market. There is space for a classroom and an office. Also, a side room that would be ideal for crafts. There is a courtyard in the back for outside play, too.”
He instantly has a warm, wide smile. “It sounds as though it could be something great.”
Picking up my cup, the warmth of the coffee hits my tongue, and it hits the spot every single time.
Swallowing, I set the mug down. “Well, tell that to the bank. I mean, I’m lucky that our small town means the building is affordable compared to the suburbs of Chicago, and I have a little bit for a downpayment. Maybe not all but enough, and on no planet would I ask Liam for a loan. Besides, the owners have some out-of-this-world demands.”
“Such as?”
“Apparently, they only will sell to a married couple. They mentioned businesses owned by couples always do better, so they think the building won’t need to be sold again in a year or two from something failed.”
His eyes squinch. “That’s sort of discrimination. Then again, it’s their private property as of now. They also may want to double check the statistics on married couples in business together.” He winces.
I wave him off the topic. “It doesn’t matter. I mean, there is also the aspect that I would need building safety checks, to register with the state, and so many admin details. Plus, it’s all an impractical thought. I’m happy at Lake Spark Academy, really.”Eeek, the enthusiasm could be worked on. I sound 75% positive, and I should be 100% happy with my job.
“You would be good at it. Handling little monsters, I mean.”
He traps my gaze, and my face softens from his compliment. “Thanks. I will just have to create my own brood of little monsters one day when I settle down with someone.”
Oliver’s face falls, or am I imagining it? Are his eyes darkening?
What the hell? What did I say?
“Right,” he states tightly, and he thrums his fingers on the table. “You need to find a Prince Charming.”
I snort out a laugh. “With the current look on your face, you are as bad as Liam. Will you be participating in his interrogationwhen the time comes? I bet you will cross-examine whomever it may be,” I joke. I find it funny, but apparently, he does not.
A chirp notification sound breaks the air, and I quickly scramble to grab my phone from my purse. The moment I see a new message on my screen, my mood deflates, and I’m joining Oliver on the not-impressed train.
