He had to hope for the former. But he couldn’t completely discount the latter. Maybe she had ignored him all these years because she couldn’t bear having to see him confined to a chair? Not such an odd theory. He’d hated it at first, too. Had avoided mirrors for close to a year, in fact. Well, to hell with that. Cam could keep her pity for someone who needed it. Not him.
“Okay,” Marcus replied. “Let’s say I buy that explanation.”
“What’s to buy? It’s the truth.”
“Theresa thinks you still love her.”
God, had he let so much of his guard down at Marcus’s place last week? He shook his head but couldn’t verbalize a more emphatic denial.
Marcus ignored him. “So that makes me wonder where you and I stand. It’s why I asked you if we lost the building because of your boss or because of her. I mean, if someone else representing the Delgado Foundation had been in charge of the acquisition, would you have let it go so easily?”
“Absolutely.”
“No hesitation,” Marcus remarked. “How can you be so sure?”
Because it’s the truth, his saner self had replied.
Oh, sure. Susan might have been the instigator of this whole conundrum, but if he really didn’t want Cam to have the site, he could’ve said no. Her threats to fire him were empty. He didn’t need the job. Not financially. He had plenty of money in the bank, most of it earmarked for this project with Marcus. If Susan did fire him, he could easily transition from corporate real estate to handling the books for the therapy business when it was up and running. He wouldn’t be as happy, stuck in an office all day without the ability to get outside every once in a while, but he could do it. Or he could find another realtor to join, despite Susan’s threat to blackball him. In fact, he could think of several realty companies who’d see Susan’s animosity as a selling point.
As for Cam, the minute he saw her walking around the interior of the Loughlin site, he’d known it was meant for her. It might have been years since they’d been together, but he still knew her moods, her priorities, and her goals. Hope had lit up her eyes and for that moment, he saw the place the way he sensed she did: full of kids and laughter and joy.
Just as he saw this old supermarket as the perfect spot for him and Marcus: full of people working hard to create a new normal, thanks to a split-second event that had shattered their lives. As he’d noticed on the listing website, the space was in a great location, had plenty of space—all on one floor, which was a huge plus for him and others like him—a large parking area, and came well within budget.
He looked up at Marcus now, framing his forehead with the back of his hand to block out the brutal sun his shades failed to repel. “What do you think?”
“It’s definitely better suited to our needs than the other place,” Marcus agreed.
“And there’d probably be room for a pool,” Jordan added.
Hydrotherapy was crucial for some injuries. A pool would be a huge bonus they wouldn’t have dared consider at the other site. Still, it was best he didn’t make promises he might not be able to keep.
“I’ll know more about what we can and can’t do once I get my hands on the specs.”
Marcus glanced at him. “What’s holding that up?”
“Susan,” he admitted with a frown. She’s not the selling agent for this property. Which makes this transaction...” He swallowed hard. “...delicate.”
“Delicate or impossible?”
“Nothing’s impossible. It’s just a question of drawing her in the right way. But I wanted to make sure we were ready to pursue the site before I get her involved.”
Because despite Michaela and Rachel trying to convince him otherwise, he would not go behind her back to chase this space. He’d only get serious about it if he got Marcus’s okay and Susan’s blessing. If either refused to give him what he needed, he’d look elsewhere. In business and in his personal life, Jordan wanted loyalty. He’d give no less in return.
“So, what do you think?” he pressed. “Are we interested in seeing more?”
“Yeah, I think so. What happens next?”
Jordan forced a grim smile. “I have to convince Susan to help us.”
Chapter 11
When Cam strode into work on Tuesday morning, she half-expected Val’s area to have been stripped bare. But no. Not only was Val’s stuff still there, a sunny, smiling Val sat behind her desk.
“Good morning! Thanks for the spa package yesterday. It was a really nice surprise. That massage was ah-maz-ing!”
So convinced was she that she’d screwed up her relationship with Val, a dumbstruck Cam could barely speak when she found her assumption dead wrong. “Oh, good. I’m... er... glad you enjoyed it. What... what are you doing here?”
“It’s Tuesday. Your note said come back on Tuesday.” Her face drained of color. “Oh, God! Am I fired?” She whispered the last word with enough dread to chill the air.
Relief flooded through Cam, and she laughed. “No. Not at all. In fact, grab some coffee and come into my office.”
Val remained dubious. “If it’s about the notepads in my drawer, I can explain.”
“Val, relax.” She strode toward her office door. “You’re not fired. I promise. This is good news. Join me when you’re ready. We’ve got a lot of stuff to cover.”
Pushing inside, she let the door swing wide and stay open. Cam settled at her desk and booted up her computer, then accessed Val’s HR file. She’d already reviewed the numbers and the details, but she wanted to keep them fresh in her mind.
A pale Val crept into the office, eyes downcast at the utilitarian gray carpet, and Cam hid a smile. She hovered there, halfway between the desk and the door, as if she wanted an equal distance between her future and her past. Amusement lifted
