Total pages in book: 145
Estimated words: 145231 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 726(@200wpm)___ 581(@250wpm)___ 484(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 145231 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 726(@200wpm)___ 581(@250wpm)___ 484(@300wpm)
“Maybe,” Dexter says slowly. “Based on market projections, of course.”
“Adjusted for inflation, Archer’s right,” Salem says. “But the market appears pretty volatile right now for vacation rentals in northern Minnesota. Conservative estimates might be smart.”
Archer nods. “Right. We want to keep her afloat without tying up too much capital.”
If you ask me, the photos scream money pit, even if they could still be profitable in the long run. But if Archer still wants to move ahead when he’s normally the most risk averse, I won’t be the guy who shoots it down.
Besides, Salem’s market research looks impeccable as always. There’s a gap for precisely what we’re offering with the affluent folks who want to live a Scandinavian style lake life without leaving the continent—a niche we could easily fill.
“Agreed.” I tap the table and let all four wheels of my chair hit the floor. “Fine. I’ll work out a payment schedule and run it by you guys. Enough to help Evelyn and renovate at least one pilot property we’ll target to launch before the year ends.”
“Okay. And nice work, Salem,” Dexter says. “Those market reports were flawless. Couldn’t find any fault if I tried.”
No doubt his number-crunching, money freak ass did try, too.
Dexter loves looking for errors almost as much as he loves studying nutrition labels.
“They were solid,” Archer agrees. The tiniest jealousy bug bites the back of my neck when he smiles at her. “If you ever get sick of managing the day-to-day, we could use a full-time analyst here at headquarters.”
Fucker.
I knew it.
Salem smiles, and just like with Arch, I know what’s coming.
“Thanks,” she says, “but I wouldn’t make a good full-time number cruncher. I need to talk to people and move around to stay on my toes.”
Yes, she does.
Salem Hopper has bigger and better dreams than being cooped up in our office.
I’ve seen her researching charter boats and marina businesses on the side lately. It has me wondering what the future will bring with her career plans, just like so much else.
Not yet, though. It’s not my place to ask.
Not until we’ve figured out what we are—if we’re meant to be anything at all.
Why ruin a good thing when it’s barely begun?
For the first time since Utah, we have a date.
I race home early, meticulously cleaning up and agonizing over shirts in a way I haven’t done since my teens.
You know it’s catastrophic when a man puts this much energy into impressing a woman he’s already fucked.
The plan is for dinner and a movie at my place—their first visit here—but it feels like more than that.
My son is coming home.
My son and his mother, walking into my house as a family.
It’s strange as hell.
Stranger still that I’m a complete basket case over it.
I wipe the sweat off my brow, opening the door as they arrive, stuffing my phone back in my pocket after my security app alerted me they were coming.
Arlo stands on the front step wearing a dinosaur jacket, bouncing excitedly as he looks around.
“Wow!” he says, beaming up at me. “You really are Batman.”
I guess it is a big place.
Salem used the word obscene when she first looked up my place.
Like Dex, I prefer the term ‘quiet elegance.’ I also think if someone gets this close to your house, they might as well know you’re rich.
And Arlo hasn’t even seen the pool out back yet.
“I don’t think any hero has this much glass,” Salem says as I usher them both inside.
The hall opens into a large open great room. Modern stairs lead up to the balcony on the second floor and the massive sofa curves around the glass table in the center.
The way she looks around and stops on me tells me she’s noticed the fresh flowers I had delivered today, hoping to impress her.
Judging by that sly little smile, mission accomplished.
“Lemme see your bat cave,” Arlo insists, but his eyes are wide as he takes everything in.
“No cave here, but I do have an impressive fish tank. Come see.”
His eyes blow up to golf balls and he flies on ahead of us.
Why does my heart jerk?
He’s sincerely excited over my big house. The cavernous house that, deep down, I’d love to have someone else living in.
No, not just someone. Salem and Arlo.
“Arlo, no running!” Salem calls with a giggle.
I thought she’d be more tense here, walking into my lair, but she seems more relaxed than ever in a cream sweater and jeans.
I lead the way to my study and the enormous aquarium that takes up the entire wall.
The subtle lights above and below illuminate the waters even when it’s dark, mimicking a natural glow that won’t disturb the creatures inside.
Sometimes I sit and watch my little creation at night, when my head aches too much to work and I’m in a mood to ponder these alien lives separated by glass, yet so intertwined with mine.