Page 84 of His North Star
I smirked. “You’re never allowed to move to South America.”
Laughter blurted out of him. “I guess you’re stuck helping me.”
Like he really had to twist my arm. If he needed my support, I’d do it. He’d been there for me too many times to count.
“Start with telling me the basics. List price, square footage, acreage, costs, revenue, et cetera.”
I went back to rolling while Ty rattled off the information.
“Listed at twenty-seven and a half, this twelve-acre resort. . .” He went on and on, but I stopped listening after he said the price. Twenty-seven million dollars? What would Ty’s commission be? Money signs blurred my vision. Jealousy and feelings of not being good enough for Ty whirled inside me. Would it change our relationship when Ty became as wealthy as the investors he was worried about?
“Mare?”
I jolted. “Yeah?”
“Let’s get a drink.” Ty climbed down the scaffolding. “We’ve earned it.”
I quickly dropped the roller and followed him down the stairs to the kitchen. “How are you still moving after everything you’ve already done this week?” I complained. My shoulders were done for, even though I hadn’t been painting that long.
“It has to get done, so I work through the pain. No different than rugby.”
“Have you been taking any medicine or icing?” I knew I would be before I went to bed tonight.
“No, Mom, I haven’t. I’ll get right on that.”
I shoved his shoulder. “I’m trying to make sure you’re taken care of.” Grabbing a water bottle from his fridge, I drank half of it in one long gulp. “And if you won’t sass me, I may offer to rub your shoulders in exchange for the same.”
His face lit up. “Now that’s a deal I can’t refuse.”
“Let’s finish the second coat first.”
“Yes, boss.”
“You keep saying that. I’d be careful if I were you.”
“Why?”
“Because you may not like everything I tell you to do.” I smiled triumphantly. Would a foot rub be pushing it too far?
“Oh, really?” He crossed his arms, amusement dancing across his face.
“Really.”
“And what if I like being ordered around by you?”
I barked out a laugh. “Since when?” Ty wasn’t someone you could boss around. He didn’t become as successful as he was by backing down. He knew how to get what he wanted, all the while making it seem like you were coming out better than him. Though he did it without being a sleazeball. Which was why he’d rock The Peaks listing.
“Always.”
I laughed again. What a liar. I’d never managed to get my way when it came to Ty. He was too good at negotiating or not playing fair. Me? Boss him around? Ha! As if I could.
“Nice try. Let’s get back to painting.”
He moved to pass by me. Before I could follow, he picked me up and tossed me over his shoulder.
“Ty!” I screeched. “Put me down.”
“You said it was time to get back to work. That’s all I’m doing.” He walked over to the stairs, about to go up.
