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“That’s the spirit.”
“So this architect. Noah grew up with her?” I didn’t know Noah as well as some of the other guys in the group. I was Austin’s friend. That was literally how they’d described me. Austin’s friend, Kayla. Or more recently, Megan and Austin’s friend, Kayla. But never really part of the group.
Which was fine. I wasn’t looking to horn in on the group. Honestly, there weren’t women in the group. It was the six guys. Megan got a little bit of a pass because she was Austin’s sister, but it wasn’t as if she ever went to poker night or anything like that.
“That’s what he said. Don’t try to dig for details, I don’t have any beyond her name and email address.” Austin took another chip and scooped a generous helping of salsa with it.
I followed suit, letting the tangy condiment take over my senses. “Okay. We go see the property again this evening and then…?”
“Then I make an offer. You’re right, I want it. The location matters more than anything else. But since I’m not going to use the buildings, I don’t really want to pay for them.”
Good luck. I didn’t imagine the previous owners were going to care. But it probably didn’t hurt to ask. “If they’re firm on their asking price?”
He sighed. “I guess I’ll pay it. I want the location. But I’m going to try to negotiate first. Can’t hurt, can it?”
I shook my head and offered a smile. I wasn’t sure how things were going to go with this youth center idea of his, but I was grateful I got to be a part of it from the ground up as more than just Austin’s friend.
18
AUSTIN
Iknocked on Scott’s front door and then walked in. “Hey, guys!”
“Austin. Hey, man. You’re the first one here.” Scott waved me in to the kitchen. “Come on in and have a seat. Hungry?”
“A little. Am I early?” I twisted my watch around on my wrist. No. I was seven minutes later than our usual start time. “Did I miss a text?”
Scott shrugged. “Not that I know of. Stuff happens, though, right?”
I chuckled. “That it does. How’s married life treating you?”
Scott’s eyebrows lifted. “Not your smoothest segue, although I guess given what I’ve picked up from Whitney, it’s not surprising that you’re asking.”
Heat crawled up my neck. He wasn’t wrong. Now that Kayla and I were an official item, I could admit that my thoughts were drifting toward marriage more often. It was, obviously, too soon to say any of that out loud. It would be a week tomorrow. We hadn’t even kissed yet. “You’re dodging the question.”
“Married life is amazing. Five stars, highly recommended.” Scott chuckled. “You testing the waters?”
I shook my head. “Not yet. But I won’t lie and say I don’t want that.”
“And Kayla?”
“How do youknow? It’s probably too early. We’ve tiptoed around it a little, but things are new. It’s all shiny and fun, you know? Plus, at work we have to keep it a little quiet. Thankfully, we have a history of eating lunch together, so that’s not a change.”
“I have to say, when Whitney and I got together, it was a little strange. I mean she lived here because of Beckett. But it wasn’t until we were married that I was home with her all day. It’s really nice.” Scott grabbed a bag of chips and opened them before setting them on the kitchen table. “I guess you’ve had that all along.”
I guess I had. And he was right, it was nice to know I’d get to see Kayla at least for a few minutes every day. I hoped she looked forward to it as much as I did. I reached into the bag for a handful of chips.
“Hey, I’m late. Sorry!” Noah’s voice carried into the kitchen.
“You’re not alone. Almost everyone’s late today.” Scott leaned out the kitchen doorway. “Austin’s here.”
“Nice.” Noah appeared in the doorway. “You ever talk to Jenna?”
“Yeah. It’s tricky since I’m at school during her usual working hours, but we finally got the chance to connect at lunch yesterday. She seems excited about the project.” I reached for more chips. “She sounded surprised that I’d gotten her name from you, though.”
Noah frowned. “Huh. Wonder why?”
“I asked her just that. She said because the two of you haven’t really been in touch for the last five years.”
