Craving You

“I think I found your building.”

“What?” she shrieked in delight. “No way!”

“Way.”

“Chip.” Her heart launched into her throat at the prospect of finally realizing her full professional dream. “You said I have impossible parameters, mostly because of my budget.”

“I said nearly impossible parameters because of your budget. As it turns out, a client has a friend who’s ready to rent-out some space he’s been sitting on for a while. It’s not offered on the market yet, so you get first crack at it. The guy owed my client a favor. So I got my client a guest account to the club—thanks to Meg—and voila, now I’m owed the favor. We’ve all come full circle. To your benefit.”

Her pulse raced. “He’d lease it to me at a monthly rate I can afford?”

“I already discussed your lease terms with him. He’s willing to sign—all he requires is that you complete the cleanup work in the building from the previous tenant. I’ve already looked into it and I think you might actually be able to salvage and use some of the residual workstations. The rest we can have hauled out.”

Was this her lucky week, or what?

L.L. and the manufacturing specialist she contracted with to turn her concepts into reality had agreed two years ago that if the opportunity presented itself, they’d go into business together, mass producing her designs and selling them in specialty stores, magazines, catalogs and various online outlets, including their own website. Max Brighton also just happened to be life partners with a facilities, shipping and distribution guru interested in the business venture as well, Len Dorsey. All the trio needed was the appropriate space at the right price.

Chip had been keeping his eye out for such a building, as had L.L.’s Realtor. Apparently, he’d beaten her broker to the punch.

“So, where is this magical place?” she asked Chip.

He gave her the address for her to Google map. Then he said, “Can you get away around two to check it out?”

“Are you kidding? You’ve made my entire year. I am wholly at your beck and call.”

He laughed. “Two o’clock works for me. Call Max and Len to meet us there.”

“They’re going to be so jazzed. They’ve literally been chomping at the bit, trying to figure out how we can leverage funds to get our company up and running. They’ll be over the moon to hear this news.” As she was.

“I’ll meet you out front.”

“And I’ll be there promptly with bells on!” She hung up. Then called Max and Len, both of whom she’d met in L.A. They’d relocated to New York right around the same time she’d settled in Greenwich Village, after Paris.

The morning dragged on, but L.L.’s enthusiasm didn’t wane. Jace came into her office as she was bundling up at one-thirty.

“Late lunch?” he asked.

“Yes, with Chip.” She pulled the sash of her black leather coat tight at her waist. She wore a black sweater and leggings with snow leopard-print ankle boots. “He thinks he’s found a building for me to lease.”

“That’s great, L.L.!”

“God, I pray it’s true. Otherwise, it’ll be another year or so before Max, Len and I have adequate, sustainable capital to allow us to pay more in rent. We’re just below the most reasonable bracket, after factoring in all of our administrative and operational costs.”

“Chip’s not one to lead you astray or give false hope. He vets everything before discussing it with you. If he’s got positive vibes about this deal, chances are damn good you’ll get the green light.”

“Keep those fingers crossed. Speaking of…” She whipped her gloves and beanie from the pockets of her jacket and slipped them on, since it was currently snowing.

“I’m certainly in your corner,” Jace said. “Though, I have to admit, it won’t be quite the same around here when you leave. You really liven the place up.”

She smiled. “That is one beautiful compliment, my friend

, because this office is hellaciously lively unto itself. Really, I’ll be the one missing you guys and all the incredible energy.”

“Trust me, your workshop will be extremely dynamic—because it’s yours.” He kissed her on the cheek.

L.L. threw her arms around him and gave him a firm hug. “You’re fantastic. And I really appreciate that you and your dad took me in with opened arms. I was feeling like a bit of a stray after what happened with Corey. But with Meg, you and your family, I feel as though I belong somewhere.”

“You always will, L.L.” He gave her a squeeze before she unraveled from him.