Page 49 of Falling for the Bad Boy
I cast one more glance up at my gorgeous new sign before heading inside. Maybe it wouldn’t take very long to build the shelves. We could always take a break once we got the hang of it.
CHAPTER 21
Oliver
I scrolled through the city’s website on my phone. I should’ve been paying attention to my professor, so I’d know what to study for my final next week but seeing Trinity’s sign had given me an idea. Downtown Newbridge was subject to additional restrictions since it was classified as a historic district. I remembered Wyatt bitching and moaning about all of the rules and regulations. Trinity might not know about them. That could be one way to create a little discomfort for her.
After skimming through several pages of legal content, I came across a section outlining the sign regulations in the historic district. Based on the info and from what I’d seen that morning, Trinity’s sign wouldn’t make the cut. The rules were pretty specific about lighting and measurements. Maybe someone from the city ought to take a look.
I ducked out of class and into the hall, figuring I’d get the notes from one of my classmates later. Since classes were in session, the hall was nice and quiet. May as well make the call while I had time.
I dialed the number on the screen.
“Inspections. How can I help you?”
I cleared my throat. This was my last chance. If I moved forward, there would be no going back. “I have a question about a sign that was installed this morning.”
“What part of town are you calling about?” The woman’s monotonous tone carried over the line.
“Downtown. Isn’t there some sort of special rule if a building is in the historic district?”
“Do you have an address, sir?”
I rattled off the address and waited through a series of clicks.
“I’ll transfer you to that department.”
It didn’t take more than a few moments for the call to be transferred, but it was long enough for me to have second thoughts. Then third. While I debated about hanging up, the call connected.
“Historic District Regulations. How can I help you?”
“Hi. I noticed someone installed a sign on a building downtown and I think it might be in violation of your guidelines. Is there any way to check?”
The man on the other end of the phone collected the building address, but when he asked for my name, I declined. “I’d rather not share that information.”
“I understand. We’ll be sure to take a look. Thanks for bringing it to our attention.”
My mouth went dry as I ended the call. At least she wouldn’t know it was me who made the report. Surely someone else would have noticed at some point. I was just speeding things up.
The bell rang and the hallway filled with students heading to their next class. If I wanted to ace my finals, I’d better start paying more attention to my classes and less attention to Trinity Ryan. With an uneasy weight settling in the pit of my gut, I hefted my backpack up onto my shoulder and focused on getting to my next class. There would be time to think about Trinity later.
At six-thirty I knocked on the front door to Trinity’s space. Instead of the flirtatious welcome she’d given me in the past, she came to the door with a scowl on her face.
“Come on in.” She barely opened the door before she turned around and walked away, leaving me to follow.
I shut the door then made my way past piles of boxes to where she stood at the counter.
“What’s going on, you okay?” I’d picked up a bottle of red from the storeroom at Tapped. We were always getting samples from our liquor rep, so I’d asked Wyatt if I could snag a bottle of Chianti.
Trinity didn’t even make eye contact, just gestured to a paper menu a few inches away. “Pick whatever you’d like on your pizza, and I’ll call it in.”
“Hey, what’s up?” A coldness seeped into my limbs, closing around my chest. Had the city contacted her already?
She glanced up. “Had a visit from an inspector today. Did you know that this building is located in some historic district?”
I didn’t move. If I admitted I knew, she’d blame me for not telling her. But if I lied and said I had no idea, it might come back to bite me in the ass. Before I had a chance to decide how to answer, she went on.
“My sign doesn’t meet their rules. Do you know how much I paid for that sign?” Her gaze met mine. Anger flashed in the depths of those green eyes before she looked away. “Now I’ve got to figure out a way to change it or scrap the whole thing. Five grand down the hole. Just like that.”
