Page 37 of Scoop Me Up
For a while, we looked at different property options on his laptop, Miles rolling out the positives and negatives of each one. The more we looked, though, the less confident I felt. I needed something close to town and there was just nothing available.
Eventually, I shook my head and sighed. “I don’t know. Nothing feels quite right.”
Miles nodded in sympathy. “I get it. Why don’t you sleep on it and we can reconvene later this week?” He closed the tabs we’d been looking through, and as he did, I caught a glimpse of a spreadsheet he had open.
“Is that—never mind. None of my business.”
Miles glanced at his computer. “Don’t even worry about it. I don’t have anything top-secret going on. That’s my list of active commercial property listings in the town and surrounding areas. I also have a tab of locally owned businesses, one of coming-soon businesses, and one that includes business loan and grant options. That last tab is a chart of businesses looking for investors, startup money, that sort of thing. I’m not a pro or anything, but I like to help out where I can. Keep Maplewood thriving, you know?”
“Yeah… Can I see?” The wheels in my mind started to turn.
He turned his laptop to face me. “Of course.”
I studied the spreadsheet, one tab at a time. “This is great.”
Miles’s face lit up. “You think so?”
“It is. Very detailed.”
“Sometimes I get clients who want to invest in Maplewood or who want to start a business here. Usually it’s outsiders looking to live their best small-town life. These spreadsheets help me make that happen.”
The wheels werereallyturning. “I was just telling someone I’ve always wanted to find a business to invest in. Do you think you could help me?” I wondered if he’d suggest the ice cream shop. The thought of how I’d confessed my dream of investing to Sam made my chest squeeze, but the fact remained. I wanted out of contract work. Investing in a small-town business was pretty much the polar opposite of moving to DC to take over a branch of a big-name consultancy firm, but there were clear benefits—namely, staying close to Ellie. Itwouldmean I’d have to find a way to make my peace with Sam, but I had to do that anyway if I was going to be stuck as his housemate for the next six weeks.
“Sure,” he said without hesitation. “Let’s see what we’ve got.”
Our meeting stretched into the afternoon, but by the time we wrapped up, I had a solid list of ideas, insight into each potential business’s needs thanks to Miles, and the beginnings of a plan.
Once we’d finished talking shop, Miles pivoted the conversation. “So what brought you to need a rental in Maplewood anyway?”
“Short version? Ex-wife needed a house sitter and parenting help while she traveled. That fell through. Now I’m here.” I held out my hands, palms up, and shrugged.
“And you’re liking it here, I take it? Since you’re considering investment options and all.”
“I am. Everyone’s so friendly and welcoming.” The previous night’s events flashed through my mind. “Hey, can I ask you something?” I leaned forward, dropping my volume.
Miles nodded. “Of course. Anything.”
I shifted in my seat, unsure of how to jump in. “It’s… dating advice.”
His eyebrows shot up. “Dating in Maplewood or in general?”
“Maplewood.”
“Hit me with it.”
I took a deep breath to calm my nerves. “I think I’m into someone here, but I can’t tell if they’re into me. And since it’s such a small town, I’m afraid to ruin our friendship, or start the rumor mill turning, or something like that.”
He smirked and tilted his head slightly. “Can I ask who it is?”
I swallowed hard. “Sam.”
Miles’s smirk grew and he let out a little laugh. “Definitely go for it.”
My eyebrows shot up. “Really? Why do you say that?”
He shrugged casually. “Sam’s a catch. It’s only a matter of time before someone scoops them up.”
Chapter 15
