Page 131 of Tempting Me

I stand quickly and glare at him.

“You're joking?”

He shakes his head.

“But that place is like home to Shay and me, to all of us. Shay just spent the summer pouring her heart into that place. Do they already have a buyer?”

“Not yet, but the place looks really good, thanks to you and Shay. It’ll sell quickly.”

I scrub my hands over my face.

How is Shay taking this? Is she okay? I should have called her. Been there for her. Found a way to make it better or help her or … I don't know. She hurt me, but my heart still wants her to have everything she wants in life. Including The Marina.

“I’ll buy it.”

“What?”

“I’ll buy it,” I repeat.

“Luca, you can’t just decide to buy it on a whim like this.”

“I can and I will. Tell them to sell it to me. Better yet, I’m going to their house right now to ask them.” I turn my attention to Linc. “Send me everything I need to know so I can make an offer in the morning as soon as I leave the bank.”

“Luca, you already own a business,” Leo says, as if I don’t know this already.

“So, I’ll own two.”

The room falls silent, until Hudson leans forward.

“Since you’re being all crazy right now, I … ugh, I have an idea.”

I meet his eyes and watch as a grin takes over.

I know what he’s going to say before he says it.

I’m in.

I just need to convince her parents first.

Nostalgia hitsme hard as I walk up the path to Mr. and Mrs. Parker’s front door. It’s been years since I’ve been here, yet every memory of running this exact sidewalk and bursting through the door without knocking hits me hard.

Like it was yesterday.

But today, my steps are focused and I knock, waiting for one of them to open the door.

I’m also praying they don’t slam it in my face.

Thanks to Leo apologizing and coming clean less than an hour ago, I have a hunch they won’t shut me out, but it’s been a long time.

I’m not sure what I can expect right now.

This whole summer has been filled with surprises.

I hear the lock click on the other side, and slowly, the door opens. Mrs. Parker sighs and smiles.

“Luca Asher, this is a sight I was convinced I’d never see again.”

“You and me both.”

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