Chapter 15
MAX
It feels like I’m intruding on Avery’s space when I walk inside her apartment.
The living room holds a long sofa, along with a small entertainment center and a medium-sized television. There are a few pictures along the walls, but it’s mostly landscape or random objects.
The kitchen has that look like it’s fairly new, but when looking closer, I can tell the tile is already pulling away from the cabinet top, and the paint looks like it was sloppily applied to the walls.
My stomach twists. No one should be renting a brand-new apartment and dealing with all these issues. Especially not someone I’ve come to care about.
Am I bummed she hasn’t texted me yet? I want to say no, but in truth, yeah.
I’d thought about taking her to a sandwich place on the edge of town for a lunch break. A coffee date seems a little weird since she owns the shop, and I don’t like committing to a full dinner on the first date, just so she doesn’t feel like she has to stick around if she’s not feeling it.
But I guess I shouldn’t worry about it.
What I need to do is focus on the sink. I offered to fix it, and I want to make sure it gets taken care of.
I pull everything out from under the sink and set it to the side, giving myself plenty of room to work.
With my head resting on the bottom of the inside of the cabinet, I can see some dark spots on the pipes.
Using a flashlight reveals rust spots in some areas.
Those shouldn’t be there after only a few months, even if it’s been dripping consistently.
Rusty must’ve used old parts and pocketed the rest of the money. I grit my teeth, frustrated that things have turned out this way.
Did Aiden use Rusty for his projects? Or was Rusty the alternative because the better contractors were working on his buildings?
And now I feel even worse for Avery. She had to pay for a complete remodel instead of just the things she needs for her business. Owners who make the renter pay for that kind of stuff aren’t looking for the long-term benefits of keeping the building rented out, just the quick payoff.
I’d given her a chance to vent and she was upfront, but she didn’t whine about the problems.
“This is what we Bauer men do, son. We marry the right person and go on with our lives.”
I’m surprised by the resurgence of my father’s words in a moment like this.
What if Avery is the right person?
I blow out a breath, not comfortable with the fact my brain is going in that direction so soon.