Page 80 of Anteros' Return

“Oh, Liam, that’s not true. You’re your mum’s dream.” I crouched down in front of him, dropping to eye level. I knew how much Emily loved this boy. She would give up her life for him. “You bring her so much joy.”

“I want to do something special for her, Beckett. I want her to know she doesn’t need to throw her dreams away because of me.”

“Well, that’s not at all true, trust me.” I couldn’t help but smile as he shot me a confused look. “Does your mum have a vision board for her bakery?”

“She’s always on that printersty thing.”

“You mean Pinterest?” I laughed as did he, chuckling over his mistake.

“Yeah! That’s the one!” His smile turned into one of mischief as his brain worked exactly the same as mine. “Do you want me to show you it when we get home? It’s on the iPad.”

“Indeed, I do, and how about we save that number still in the window and make a quick call on the way home?”

“Wait! Why?”

“Because I’m going to offer double the asking price to see if we can get that location for her instead of whoever got there first.”

“You can do that?” he asked.

“Anything is possible, and I think between you and me, we can make her dream come true. What do you say? Will you be my partner in crime?” I held out my hand in a handshake.

“Put it there, partner!” He giggled as he slapped his much smaller hand in mine and shook it hard. He gasped with excitement. “I even know how she wants her logo.”

“Well then, we’re well underway.” I winked as I rose to full height.

He slipped his hand in mine as we both turned to face the run-down, incredibly old building in front of us. It had character, though, even I had to admit that. Maybe years ago I would have steered Emily to buy a newer building but after seeing what she did when it came to her house, I knew it would be perfect. Liam squeezed my hand tightly, and at that moment, I had to stop myself from telling him the truth about who I was. I wanted to scream it from every damn rooftop in Cheshire, but I couldn’t… Not yet.

“Right, your mum is running errands, so we have some free time to look at her Pinterest board, logo, and plans. You up for it?”

“I am, batman!” He high-fived me as I cocked my brow at the nickname he just gave me. “What? We’re like Batman and Robin, Woody and Buzz, Timone and Pumba, shall I go on?”

“No, I get it. Now, let’s go, Robin.” I threw him into the air before placing him on my shoulders as he let out an excitable squeal.

“Beckett! Be careful with your ankle,” he shouted from above me.

“I’m good. Don’t worry about me, little man.” And I was good… Better than good, actually.

I was bloody amazing.

Back at the house, Liam swiped Emily’s iPad and sprinted to his bedroom where we sat at his desk, overlooking the front of the house so we’d be able to see Em getting home.

“So, this is her logo. This is her board. See how it’s a secret one?” He leaned into me, whispering as if he was on a top secret mission. “Not anymore.” I couldn’t take my eyes off of the logo as I noticed it was exactly the same as the doodle she drew on my leg all those years ago minus the bee. She’d had this dream for so long, I couldn’t help but feelas though I was meant to play a part in it.

I snapped some photos with my phone, capturing everything I needed to show the team of experts I’d hire for the job before making the call that would give Emily her dream.

Liam watched me anxiously as I nodded and confirmed everything I was being asked.

“And what property was it, sir?” the agent asked.

“The one on Cannon Street. It looks as though it’s just been bought.” I confirmed the location, already knowing what his answer would be.

“Unfortunately, it has, but we do have other properties that might suit your needs better.” It was clear the man on the other end of the phone was still trying to sell me something else.

Well, something else wasn’t what we needed.

“With all due respect, that’s the building I’m interested in, and I am willing to pay double what the new owner paid. All I need is for you to speak with them and see if that’s something they’re willing to accept.”

“I can certainly speak with them, is it an all-cash offer or?” he asked.

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