Page 107 of How to Love Your Neighbor
“People don’t change,” she said, so quietly he almost missed it.
Noah didn’t answer right away. If he took a long look in the mirror, he wasn’t entirely sure he agreed. “I think they can. Given the right motivation,” he said.
She started to say something but stopped, put her hand to the window. “Disneyland!”
The excitement in her tone thrilled him. They were definitely going there together.
“Another day. I promise.” The words fell from his lips as easily as they had the other night. Instead of making his stomach clench, they infused him with confidence. He would follow through. He wasn’t his father. The longer he was here, the more time he spent with Grace, his brother, and even Josh, the more true it felt.
“I’ll hold you to that.”
They drove in silence for several more blocks, Noah taking the turns he knew well. He’d checked the lot out several times, had Josh look into zoning. He’d applied for all the permits and talked to Kyle about the build. Now he needed backing. But before he got to that, which felt far off given how badly his golf game had gone, he wanted to share this with Grace.
He wanted to hold up a mirror so they could see all of themselves but also each other. This was letting her all the way in. He hadn’t even shared this with Chris, and Wes knew only pieces.
He pulled up to the abandoned lot. It was partially fenced in. The neighborhood surrounding it was middle class, with modest one-and two-story homes. It was centrally located between an elementary and junior high school. Apart from the palm treesand bright yellow shrubbery, it reminded him of New York. Of strolling with his grandfather through residential areas, looking at buildings. He hadn’t realized then how special those moments were.
They got out of the car, Grace eyeing him quizzically. It seemed so natural to meet at the front of his truck, join hands. He leaned down, kissed her, his other hand moving to her hip. She fit against him so perfectly it should scare him. It would have, even a few months ago. Now it made him want more.
When she pulled back, she reached up, brushed her fingers through his hair. “What are we doing here?”
He turned, put his arm around her shoulder so they were staring at the land.
“I want to do more than buy and sell. My grandfather was more than that. I’d hoped to do something similar in New York with warehouses I’d purchased. I want to leave a positive mark.” His cheeks heated. Why the hell was he embarrassed?
“You want to make the community better even if it costs you,” she said, looking at him like he made rainbows appear from nothing.
“I think, whenever you have a chance to give back, you should. It’s more than that, though. It’s hard to explain in words but I think I’ve gotten more out of hanging with Rob and those boys than I’ve been able to give back.”
“You always underestimate your impact. You’re giving them your time. That’s a powerful gift in a lot of circumstances.”
He smiled at her, squeezing her shoulder. “You’re right but it’s helped clear the fog I feel like I’ve been walking around in professionally. I bought this land. On my own. It’s the first thing I’ve bought without my father’s or brothers’ input. I want to build a community center. I thought I could get Sergio and his band of annoying men to donate but it didn’t work out how I hoped. But I’m not giving up. The three-on-three tournament will raise money for the San Verde center but there aren’t enough placesfor kids to turn to. I want to create one from the ground up. I was going to pay for the land outright with the sale of my warehouses in New York but my father blocked the sale.”
“What?” She looked outraged, and it filled him with pride.
He smoothed her hair back. “Simmer down, tiger. I’ve already come to terms with who he is. Mostly. This isn’t going to stop me.”
She stiffened, visibly forced herself to loosen her stance in his arms. She touched both her hands to his chest. “Damn right it isn’t. I can’t wait to watch you do this, Noah. I have not one single doubt about your ability to pull it off whether we fundraise, hold charity events, or you borrow the money.”
His heart snagged. “We?”
She stepped closer. “Yes. We. I want in. You need to talk to your brothers because my guess is they’ll want to take part, too.” She frowned.
“What is it?”
“The magazine. There’s got to be ways to raise awareness and money. You’re doing this, Noah. I’ll be right by your side every step of the way.”
Pride filled his chest so full it was hard to breathe. There was something other than pride, too, but he wasn’t going to look too closely at those feelings just yet.
Noah wrapped his arms around her waist and lifted her off the ground, twirling them both. “You’re the coolest, Grace.” He pressed his mouth to hers, losing himself in the unique taste and pleasure only she could give.
“You’re pretty cool yourself. And smart. So, I’m assuming you have a plan for how to go around your father to get the money from your warehouses?”
He nodded. “I do.”
“What is it?” Her eyes sparkled with excitement.
“I have to go back to New York.”
