I shook my head. “No, you have your plans set. You can’t change them. I’ll Skype myself in or something. Becca can hold up a laptop for me,” I joked, trying to lighten the serious tone the conversation had taken. “I’ll wear a Hawaiian shirt, and it’ll be as if I’m there.”
Maddox frowned but didn’t push the subject, for which I was grateful. Instead, he changed topic.
He jerked his chin toward the area the building would occupy. “What about you? You ready to leave your shoebox for something bigger, Reid? Great chance to get in before it goes through the roof, plus you get to choose your layout.”
He was right. Their concept was unique. Aside from the placement of the kitchen and bathrooms, you could tweak the floorplan of every unit to suit your taste. All with a price, of course, but still a huge selling feature. Richard was confident when the marketing campaign kicked off in a few days, it would sell out before they broke ground. Given his brilliant strategy, and the uniqueness of the concept, everyone was certain he was correct.
But once again, my past loomed over me.
I met Maddox’s curious gaze with a shrug. “I have been thinking about it. But I don’t know if I can afford it.”
Aiden and Maddox exchanged a look.
“We pay you well, Reid,” Maddox pointed out. “You can amortize over a longer period and afford the payments. I can help you figure that out.”
I shuffled my feet as I looked at the ground. “I’m not disputing my salary.”
“What are you saying?” Aiden asked.
I tugged my hand through my hair in vexation. “God, the two of you are hitting all my weaknesses today, aren’t you? I’m not sure I would qualify for a mortgage, Aiden. My credit history has been difficult to build since I got out of prison. It took me two years to get a no-frills credit card, and even now, my limit is low. Given the price tags here, even if I had the minimum deposit saved, I’m not sure a bank would give me the money.” I shook my head. “Can we stop busting my chops now?”
Aiden held up his hands. “We’re only having a conversation, Reid. We aren’t trying to stir up anything, only understand your hesitancy.”
My anger deflated at his words. “I know that.” I groaned. “It’s-it’s difficult at times. I know this might be hard to understand, but I still have trouble believing or hoping for things. Sometimes, it’s easier not to even admit to wanting them. That way the letdown isn’t as hurtful, you know?”
“I get that,” Aiden said quietly. “Sometimes it’s hard to believe when things go well.”
“Yeah.”
Maddox was silent, tapping his cheek the way he did when in deep thought. Another glance passed between the two men.
“If you think you’re interested, let me give it some thought—numbers are sort of my thing,” Maddox offered. “I might have an idea or two we could look at.”
I glanced behind me, imagining the building in place and thinking about living there. “Yeah,” I confessed. “I would be really interested.”
I pushed my glasses onto my head and rubbed my eyes, suddenly exhausted. I glanced toward Becca, who was talking to Richard and Bentley, her expression excited as she gestured and spoke. Seeing her made me smile. Right now, it was the only thing that could.
Maddox cleared his throat. “Which is your favorite unit?”
“The two-bedroom one Liv showed us the sketches for. With the corner den? I loved that.”
He nodded. “Nice size.”
“Nice price, even if I went standard. That’s my dream one, but I would be happy with a one-bedroom, I suppose.”
He clapped my shoulder. “Dreams are always a good thing to have, Reid. Sometimes you have to reach out and try.”
Richard and Becca joined us. She stood beside me, not touching, but close. Every minute apart from her seemed forever. Leaving her on Sunday was one of the hardest things I could remember having to do. I wanted to stay with her in her bed for days—to have my fill of making love to her—if that were possible. To discover every intimate detail of her body and mind. Walking away felt as if I had left something important behind me. I hated it. I had no experience with those sorts of emotions, so I didn’t know if it was normal or if I was simply needy. I gave up trying to hide it, and most of the remainder of the day was spent either texting or talking to her. Luckily, she seemed to want the connection as much as I did.
Since we had become intimate, I found it difficult to stay away from her, and the office was a challenge. I had to fight the urge to seek her out a dozen times a day. To restrain myself from kissing her when we passed in the hall or bumped into each other while getting coffee. But we had agreed to keep it professional at the office. It didn’t stop me from stealing a kiss on occasion, wrapping her in my arms behind my closed office door, or taking advantage of private corners if we went out to lunch. The fact that she informed me she also found it difficult at times made me feel somewhat better. It didn’t make it any easier, but it was something.
Aiden and Maddox knew that Becca and I had slept together. There had been fist bumps, and Aiden had wiped his cheeks in an overdramatic fashion when I shared the information.
“My boy is all grown-up now,” he pretended to sob. “He doesn’t need me anymore.”
I flipped him the bird, joining in Maddox’s laughter.
Maddox eyed me steadily, always the more serious one. “Was it what you expected?”
I shook my head. “No, it was more.”
“More than three seconds?” Aiden quipped.
I sat straighter and met his eyes. “Way more. Becca had no complaints, although her neighbor might not have been pleased with all the moaning. She certainly knew who Becca was with, though, since she yelled my name a lot.”
He grinned and slapped my shoulder. “That’s what I want to hear.”
I was certain they had shared with Bentley, but he would never comment on anything that personal.
At least, not directly to me.
Maddox glanced past me. “What about you, Becca? Could you see yourself living here?”
Fuck.
I held my breath waiting for her to answer. I had never thought to ask her that question.
“It’s a great spot, and I think it’ll be amazing once it’s complete. If I were looking, it would be on the top of my list.”
Richard crossed his arms. “I loved my condo. If I lived here, a place like this would appeal to me.”
“Any chance of that, Richard?” Aiden asked. “You moving here?”
He chuckled with a shake of his head. “No. I’m happy in BC. I love my job and the city. Katy’s settled and content. It’s a great place for my girls to grow up. That’s all that matters to me. Besides,” he drawled, “I enjoy my trips to see you guys. If I lived here, you’d be sick of me. And you’d have to fire poor Becca since I would ruthlessly snatch up her job in a heartbeat.”
Everyone laughed, including Becca. Aiden leaned forward, shaking his head. “Sorry, dude. She bakes cookies. You can’t top that.”
“Damn it, foiled by baked goods.”
“She’s way cuter than you are, and she smells good,” I said without thinking.
Richard laughed even as Maddox and Aiden shook their heads. “Is that your professional or personal opinion, Reid?”