Page 15 of From Asher, With Love

“Thanks.” I give her a warm smile.

“I have an idea.” She perks, changing the subject.

I’m not as quick to pull out of my nostalgic mood. “What’s your idea?” I begrudgingly ask, scared for the answer. Julianna’s ideas don’t always turn out for the best.

“Holt has a friend opening a bar this weekend.” Her grin stretches from ear to ear, and her eyes sparkle. “It’s marketed as a soft opening, but everyone knows all the elites will be there. We can score a few drinks and forget our relationship disasters while plotting your expansion.”

I shake my head, blowing out a heavy breath. “I don’t know.”

“Come on, Charleigh.” She taps her fingers on the edge of my desk. “I could really use a night out with my girls, and you could use a night out from the solitary confinement of your apartment.”

“My apartment isnotsolitary confinement.”

“May as well be.”

Despite the knots of sadness tightening in my chest, I cave. “Fine.”

Her spine straightens, and she squeals, clapping her hands. “Yay! I can’t wait.”

She stands in front of my desk and hitches her thumb over her shoulder. “I’ll give you a few minutes, and I’ll catch Selene up on everything. As long as she’s done helping that customer.”

I chuckle. “Thanks. She’d probably kill us both if we don’t fill her in about Asher as soon as possible… or tell her about your scheme to get us all to go out this weekend.”

“She’s going to love the idea, and you’ve got to love her.” Julianna beams.

“I do, and I love you, too.”

Even if the past has come back to hang over me like a dark cloud, my best friends have come through, carrying the sun with them.

Once Julianna leaves my office, I close the door to think. Selene can handle the front desk for a few more minutes while I figure out what to do about finding a new store.

I open my computer and start browsing the internet for real estate agents who specialize in business spaces as opposed to residential. I need a knowledgeable agent who’s familiar with the ins and outs of both the city and accommodating a flower shop’s needs. The clock is ticking.

After an hour of research, I finally find someone with credentials close to what I’m looking for: Cyrus Temper.

I type in the address to his office and grin when I notice it’s the same building Holt works in. Maybe he knows him, too. I call and set up an appointment for tomorrow.

For the first time since seeing Asher, I see the light at the end of the tunnel. Hopefully, this new realtor will find me the second storefront I so desperately need.

FIVE

ASHER

I manage to sit through all of lunch with Holt without another mention of Charleigh. I guess my compromise of rethinking working with her was enough to suppress his need to pry any further.

Although, I was lying. The way she has my mind all jumbled, there’s no conceivable way we can work together without letting the past get in the way.

With my stomach full of lunch and unsettled thoughts of Charleigh, I have my web browser open again, with her name typed into the search bar, when an email comes through. My computer dings, and I open the email as soon as I see Allen Simon’s name. A long-time client of mine, Allen has bought several of my listings. I nearly leaped out of my chair when he emailed me saying he was in the market again, looking to buy an apartment building out in Brooklyn. With only a handful of locations, I sent them over for him to consider and have yet to hear back. Until now.

But my vision fades, and my blood pressure rises as I read the text.

“Janette!” I yell.

Within seconds, my assistant quickly shuffles into my office, pushing through the large wooden door. “Yes, Mr. Egan?” she asks on a breath.

“I just received an email from Allen Simon.” I shoot her a glare over my computer. “Did he try calling?”

She furrows her brow. “No, sir.”

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