Page 50 of Keep Him Like Secrets

This was the nerve-racking stage of opening a new club—finally getting inside the building and going over it with a fine-tooth comb to make sure you catch even the smallest of problems before they turned into a bigger ones in the future.

Early on, I’d hired a subpar contractor and private inspector who both somehow missed a slow leak in one of the bathrooms. Until, one day, during a busy night, the floor collapsed.

Thankfully, no one was hurt. But the whole place had to be shut down until it could be fixed.

With that experience under my belt—and a much more skilled and thorough crew working on my projects—I made sure nothing got past us. Even if it meant adding on a few weeks or thousands of dollars.

“You sure you want us to save this?” Gav, the contractor, asked as he gestured to one of the boards covering one of the windows.

Saff had mentioned liking it when we’d toured the place. It did, like she said, definitely look vaguely vaginal.

It wouldn’t fit the club décor.

But I was going to get it sealed and then hang it on the wall in the office for Saff.

“Yes. Store it in the office for the time being.”

Technically, the windows could stay boarded up for a few more weeks while the work was being done. But hoping to stir up neighborhood interest, I’d opted to get blackout window panels withComing Soonprinted on them.

No one would be able to see inside.

Everyone would be curious about what was coming to their neighborhood.

I glanced up and down the street, feeling a sinking sensation in my chest as I realized Saff wasn’t anywhere in sight.

Not that I could expect her. She’d said nothing about being around for the beginning stages of the project.

That didn’t stop me from wishing she would turn up, though.

Both at the job site… and my doorstep.

After the elevator, I’d been so sure she would want to give in to what was clearly between us.

The paperwork was all officially signed.

There was no way for things to blow up now.

There was nothing to lose.

And a lot of mutual enjoyment to gain.

“You weren’t kidding,” a familiar voice said, appearing at my side as I stared at the building, lost in my own thoughts.

“Saff,” I said, turning to find her standing there in simple black jeans and a white tee. So different from her usual style. Yet it seemed to suit her better. “Kidding about what?”

“Getting things going right away,” she said, holding out a cup of coffee toward me. “It’s the best in the neighborhood,” she explained. “Right there on the corner,” she added, jerking her chin toward the building.

“Good to know. Thanks. Were you coming to check on me?”

“Don’t flatter yourself,” she said, rolling her eyes. “I was heading to the bookstore and saw all the hubbub. Figured I should come over and see what’s going on.”

Everything about her was more relaxed, authentic.

“Extermination,” I explained. “And the contractor and inspectors checking things out, so they can give me—us a list of everything that needs to be done.”

To that, she nodded, looking at the men walking in and out of the front door. “What’s the timeframe?”

“Barring no major structural issues, I’m hoping for under six months.”

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