Page 27 of Committed to You

Her question surprises me. I don’t know when the last time someone genuinely was concerned about how I was doing.

“Yes, but thank you for asking.” I refrain from leaning in another few inches and stealing her lips. “Tell me what you would be doing if you weren’t in New York.”

“Working.”

“I’m sure you work crazy hours?”

“Yep. There are no bankers’ hours in real estate.”

“I think you’d kill it in the New York market.”

“Yeah? Why is that?”

“I can tell you’re a go-getter, and you love what you do.”

“I do love it.”

“What do you love the most about it?”

“Every property is different and has different potential. Don’t get me wrong. I love properties I can make money on, but helping people find their homes, somewhere safe, where so many memories are going to be created, just feels like I’m making a difference in people’s lives. It probably sounds silly, but that’s how I feel I’m able to impact the world right now.”

“I don’t think that sounds silly. Move to New York, and I’ll give you all my listings.”

She laughs. “Ha, ha!”

“I’m serious. I will.”

“Sorry. Won’t be leaving Chicago anytime soon. My family is there and there’s no way I would ever want to start all over.”

“Can’t blame me for trying, right?”

She laughs. “So, you have a lot of properties?”

I downplay it. “I’ve collected a few over the years.” In reality, I have more properties than I can count, and a full-time management firm handling everything for me.

“Why did you become a paramedic?”

“For the prestige.”

She laughs.

“My dad was saved by a paramedic when I was a kid, and it always stuck with me.”

“That’s nice. Did you save a lot of people.”

My face falls. “Yes and no.”

“I’m sorry. That must have been difficult.”

“Yes.”

“So when did you and Jamison decide to own the companies?”

“We fell into it. Noah had Xander, Jamison, and I invest in his companies through the years. He did really well for us, and when our old boss was retiring, Jamison and I had the funds and bought out his stock. We’ve slowly bought out the other investors so there is only a small core now.”

“And you expanded it?”

“Yep.”

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