Page 75 of Runaway Bride's Guide to Love

“Okay?”

“When I brought you on, I was at the brim of what I could handle myself. Between my real estate deals, and the properties I’d already acquired, I needed you to help manage the day to day. You were my saving grace and the reason we’ve been able to double the amount of properties we have in less than a year.”

Damn…has it been less than a year? “Thanks, man. It’s been everything I’d hoped.”

“I’m glad. But that being said, we’re about to be in a similar situation. We’re at our max. You handled so much for me on paternity leave, and honestly, I don’t know how you did it all.”

“It was nothing,” I say.

“No. It was a lot. I tried to do what you normally do when you were in Florida, and I was in tears.”

“It’s true,” Charlie chimes in as she walks by with an arm full of plates. “He missed you.”

“Don’t listen to her,” he says. “Actually, do listen to her. She’s right. I was a wreck without you.”

“Aw, Simon…you flatter me.”

“Don’t go getting a big head. The reason I’m telling you all of this is because I’ve been debating for a while now about expanding Magnolia Properties. Actually having an office. Hiring someone to help us with more day-to-day so I can focus on buying properties and you can focus on managing. Hell, I’m hoping even one day we can grow even more, put that construction background you have to good use and build developments in and around Rolling Hills. High-end homes. Affordable starter houses. You name it, I want us to create it.”

Now that gets my attention. “Simon, wow, I’d love to.”

“I thought you’d say that,” he says. “Which is why I already started our expansion.”

“Explain?”

“The space next door to here?” Simon signals to the left, like I don’t know what we’ve been working on. “We’d already been turning it into offices, so I took the listing down and decided that’s where we’re setting up shop. Plus, now I get to work next door to the love of my life.”

“Yay,” Charlie deadpans. “I can’t wait for you to be here more than you already are.”

“Oh quit,” he says, leaning over to give her a kiss, which she accepts with fake reluctance. It’s their thing. He’s a cocky, mildly ridiculous man, and she keeps him grounded but also can’t resist him. They’re truly made for each other. “You love me.”

“Yeah, yeah…” she says with a smile before turning to me. “This means you’ll need to figure out something else to order. Unless you’re going to eat a patty melt every day.”

“I don’t see a problem with that.” I’m a man of routine. On Tuesdays at breakfast I get coffee and eggs. Lunch I get a patty melt and an iced tea. Why mess with a good thing?

“Yes! Patty melts for all!” Simon says, clapping his hands. “Now, I know right now you only come to town once a week. Are you good coming in more? Not every day, as I know we have a lot of business in Nashville. But it’s a decent commute, and I know you aren’t interested in moving.”

He’s right. I’m not. I built my house myself and have no intention of selling it. Plus, my sister and nephew are in Nashville.

“The commute is fine,” I say. “Maybe I’ll start listening to some audiobooks.”

“You can expense them for all I care, as long as I can see your handsome face a few times a week.”

“I’ll hold you to that,” I say as I tip my cup of coffee to him.

“Great! It’s settled. We’ll move in next door. We’ll both have offices. You have a space to work when you’re in town, but also are free to work from home when you need to stay in Nashville. When you’re here, you’ll clog your arteries with patty melts, and we’ll continue to take over Middle Tennessee one house and building at a time!”

“Sounds like a plan,” I say.

“Fantastic.” Simon stands up. No—hejumpsup. Because he has more energy than he knows what to do with. I told you: golden retriever on crack. “Want to go next door and see your office?”

“Would love to.”

Charlie pours me a to-go cup of coffee and we take the thirty steps we need to go next door.

“Welcome to Magnolia Properties,” Simon says as he switches on the light. “Front desk here. Your office is in that corner and mine is across the way. Glass walls so we can see each other all day.”

“Please don’t make inappropriate gestures while I’m working.”

---