Chapter 9 #2
“An issue has been raised by the owners of Common Grounds about how the eight-month construction window for the expansion next door might interfere with business,” Theo began, sounding incredibly authoritative and strong.
I caught myself grinning at him as he turned his laptop so we could all see the map of the shopping center and surrounding streets on the screen and went on with, “As you can see, the way the current plans are laid out, the construction entrance would be here.” He pointed at the screen.
“The construction entrance will be there because that’s the most efficient place to put it,” Jameson said, sitting back in his seat and folding his arms.
“Possibly,” Theo said, not contradicting the man outright, but not backing down either.
“The problem with that entrance is that it will necessitate shutting down part of the street during the weekdays at the café’s busiest hours.
The projection is that this could cause serious damage to the business of Common Grounds. ”
“People can walk in from Easton Road,” Jameson said, staring at Theo for a moment, then me, then frowning at Gilbert.
“We rely on visibility and walk-in traffic to keep the café going,” Gilbert said, crossing his arms just like Jameson, equally unwilling to back down. “If potential customers can’t see us, they won’t check us out.”
“You have regulars, don’t you?” Jameson challenged him.
“We do,” I said, wanting to slip in before Gilbert’s temper ruined the whole negotiation.
“But businesses like ours depend on new customers as well as regulars. I know nothing can be done about the noise during construction, but we also have things like book groups and gaming clubs that use the space during the afternoons and evenings, too. They need easy access to the building, and, I’m sorry, but I don’t think they’ll have it if we continue with things the way they are now. ”
“I’ve been in construction for over ten years,” Jameson said, stubborn as ever. “I know what I’m doing when I plan my construction sites. I’ve chosen this layout because it will have the least impact on the residents of the side streets near here.”
“And I get that,” I said, stealing a look at Theo.
He nodded at me like he had complete confidence in me before I went on with, “I think we can come up with a solution that makes it easy on the businesses as well as the residents if we move the construction entrance to here.” I pointed at the laptop screen.
Jameson only frowned and rubbed the bottom half of his face.
“I’ve been looking at things all weekend,” Theo said, “and I think adjusting the entrance will not only prevent the businesses along the front of the shopping center from being drowned by construction, if we put the entrance there—” he nodded to the computer, “—it could actually improve efficiency for you, too.”
Theo launched into a deeper explanation that involved terms and things I didn’t fully understand.
I didn’t feel as self-conscious about my lack of knowledge as I’d thought I would, though.
Theo was incredibly good at explaining. Not only that, he constantly checked in with me and Gilber to make sure we understood what he was saying.
What had I been thinking, assuming he would look down on me for not being as smart as he was?
That wasn’t the case at all. I had the feeling he got a kick out of explaining things.
He could have been an excellent teacher as well as a great architect.
He made me feel like all the knowledge in the world was accessible, and it didn’t matter what sort of degrees or qualifications I had or didn’t have, the knowledge could be mine, too.
“So what do you think?” Theo asked at last, sitting back as he finished his pitch. “Do you think we can work together to make this convenient and safe for everyone?”
I held my breath, glancing between Theo and Jameson. Theo looked like he had the whole thing in the bag.
I couldn’t read Jameson. He continued to rub his face like he was thinking. He spent a lot of time staring at the laptop, but he glanced to Gilbert now and then, as if assessing whether he could take my brother in a fight.
Gilbert stared back at him, eyes narrowed like he was daring the man to cause trouble.
There was more going on there. I knew my brother well enough to know when someone had gotten under his skin.
Kyle Jameson had definitely touched one of Gilbert’s nerves.
Regardless of what changes were made to the construction site plans, I had a feeling the eight months of the project would be a rollercoaster.
Finally, after what felt like forever, Jameson said, “Alright, I’ll consider it.
” We all stared at him, hoping for more.
Jameson sighed and said, “You made a lot of good points. And I think you’re right that moving the construction entrance would be easier on the businesses here without too much of an impact on the residents.
” He stopped again, then said. “I’m willing to move the construction entrance. ”
I wanted to shout and fist-pump for joy. “Thank you, sir,” I said, beaming and reaching for Theo under the table.
Theo immediately grasped my hand, which made my day.
“If we’re done here,” Gilbert said, still grouchy. He got up and moved his chair back to its table, then stalked off to the office.
“He’s charming,” Jameson said, scooting to the end of the booth and standing.
Theo and I got up as well, and as soon as we did, Jameson reached for Theo’s hand to shake it.
“I trust your judgment in this,” he said.
“I chose your designs for the expansion because I thought they were the best of the ones submitted to me. You’re a talented architect, Callihan. I think we can work well together.”
Jameson shook my hand as well, even though he didn’t have to. Gilbert might have thought the man was a jerk, but I decided then and there that he wasn’t so bad.
After Jameson left, I really needed to get back to work. But before I did, I turned to Theo with an excited smile and practically shouted, “We did it!” before throwing my arms around him in a hug.
It was way overexuberant, but Theo didn’t seem to mind. He went tense for a half second before hugging me back. “We did it,” he echoed me. I moved to let go of him, but he held on to me, though at arm’s length. “Are we good?” he asked.
I smiled probably the biggest smile I’d ever smiled, which was saying something. “Yeah, we’re good,” I said, lowering my voice to a more tender level. “I think we were always good, I just let some old shit get in the way of something new and promising.”
“I probably did the same thing,” Theo admitted, lowering his head in that sexy, bashful way he had again. He glanced up at me with the sweetest blush and asked, “So, do you want to try the whole dating thing again?”
Joy and desire swelled all through me. “Absolutely,” I said. “That’s what I want more than anything.”
“Maybe dinner on Friday?” Theo asked, his growing smile making his green eyes sparkle.
“Yes. All the way.”
“Good,” Theo said, letting go of me at last. “It’s a date.”