My heart is pounding so furiously that Bernadette’s words make no sense whatsoever. 

I couldn’t sleep last night. By the time I got back to the office—probably with Jasper’s scent all over me, but I hadn’t wanted to stop for a shower—Bernadette was gone.

“Where did she go?” I shouted at Angelique.

“Her son’s final track—what do they call them, when it’s track and field? Tournaments? Meets?”

“I have no idea,” I’d grumbled. Bernadette should have at least left a note, but she probably knew that whatever explanation she left in writing would also need to be talked through. 

“She said she’d be in first thing tomorrow.”

“She’s always in first thing.”

Angelique gave me a look. “I know things are moving fast, Isa, but it is after five.”

I waved my hands in the air. “I know. I know.” Yes, I expect a lot from my staff, but I also try not to be a tyrannical bitch. It’s not a good business model. “I’m fine. Why are you still here?”

She grinned at me. “Bernadette wanted to make sure someone was here to...intercept you when you came back.”

“She knows me too well.” I took in a deep breath, squaring my shoulders. “You should head out. This is a normal Monday.”

“Sure it is.” She grabbed her purse from her desk. “Walk you out?”

I opened my mouth to say that I had a few things to finish up, but who was I kidding? I wasn’t going to be able to focus on anything until I could talk to Bernadette. 

And now, the next morning, Bernadette is talking and I can hardly take it in.

“Okay. Wait a second.” I take a deep breath, close my eyes, and push all the other thoughts out of my mind. “Take me through this one more time.”

Bernadette flips patiently back to the first paper in the stack on her desk. “The newest appraisals came back from the storefronts. It will take some doing, but you should be able to leverage the equity you’ve gained from the appraisals, which were higher than I expected, to purchase the building in Hamilton Heights.”

“I have the money?”

“You have the money in a sense.” She shakes her head. “I wouldn’t do this, Isa, unless you’re absolutely sure these storefronts are going to be in the black sooner rather than later. There is nothing left—no wiggle room—if you do this.”

I give her a sly look. “That’s what you said about these buildings, and look—wiggle room.” She exhales sharply through her nose, and I back off. “I know, Bernadette. I know. But the situation with—” I almost slip up and say Jasper. “—the situation with my mom has recently become pressing. This is the best option.”

Bernadette closes the folder and folds her hands on the table, looking me squarely in the eye. “Are you sure about that?”

“About what?”

“About purchasing this building. You’re positive she wouldn’t be willing to consider moving to a different location? Maybe somewhere closer to your place?”

I think of how hard my mom fought to move out of her old building. She couldn’t stop smiling when the super handed her the keys to the place in Hamilton Heights. The first time she stepped across the threshold and flipped the deadbolt behind her, she cried tears of joy. “Oh, Isa, it’s perfect.” It had been the perfect day, too—uncharacteristically cool for August, which meant she could throw open the windows for a nice breeze. “I never want to leave this place. Not until I have to go into a home.”

It would be a hard sell, convincing her to leave her victory apartment to be closer to me. I’m not home often enough for it to be worthwhile for her, and Evie works constantly, too. She needs her neighborhood.

“I really don’t think so.” Even if I could convince her, it’s going to be June before we know it. If my mother ever leaves her apartment, it won’t be a season-long discussion. I anticipate it taking somewhere in the order of years.

Of course, if I don’t pull off this purchase—and if Jasper goes back on his word—I might only have the rest of the summer for it anyway.

“Okay,” Bernadette gives in, but I’m lost in thought again. Jasper could go back on his word. Or I could sign the papers and accept his loan. Even that seems less feasible by the day. I don’t want to take his money and launch some complicated plan to buy the building from him. I want to do it myself, like I’ve done everything else in my life. “I’m behind you whatever you decide, Isabella. I want you to be aware of the risks.”

I reach out and pat her hand. “I know, Bernie. You’ve never let me down.” Then I stand up from my seat and take the folder. “I have some phone calls to make.”

I’m outside the door when Bernadette swivels back to her computer. “She’s unstoppable,” she says in a soft voice, almost under her breath. She must think I’m out of earshot.

You’re right about that.

I make a beeline for my office. Angelique looks up at me from her desk. “I’ll hold your calls.”

“You really get me,” I tell her, and then I’m closing the door behind me. Behind my desk, I take one steadying breath and dial Jasper’s office number.

“Mr. Pace’s office.” I’d recognize that voice anywhere—and it’s not Jasper’s, it’s his executive assistant Christine’s.

“Hi, Christine. This is Isabella Gabriel, calling for Mr. Pace.”

“Hi, Isabella!” Her tone is almost too chirpy, but that’s better than terse. “He’s not in right now, unfortunately. Can I take a message?”

“Do you—” Jasper didn’t mention being booked for the morning, but then again, I’m not his executive secretary—why would he? “You know what, I can call back later. Thanks, Christine.”

I hang up, drumming my fingers against the surface of my desk.

I don’t want to wait until Jasper’s out of his meeting. Or wherever he is.

I’m probably rushing into this, but maybe it would be better if I went through official channels at Pace, Inc. It’d be more professional to deal with his people directly. After all, it’s not Jasper who’s going to do all the legwork to sell me the building, when he does.

I search for the main reception number for Pace, Inc. and dial again. It takes two transfers, but finally a man named Lowell picks up the phone.

“Lowell Wexler, Head of Real Estate Acquisitions.”

“And sales, too, I hope.”

He laughs, his voice deep and rich. “I understand I’m speaking with Isabella Gabriel. I’ve seen you in the press lately.” My stomach tightens at the sly tone.

“I’m calling because I wanted to speak to someone directly about purchasing one of your properties.” I cut right to the chase. No more time to lose.

“Which property were you interested in? I know Mr. Pace and his son haven’t been interested in selling for some time, but I’m happy to look one up for you.”

“An apartment building in Hamilton Heights.” I give him the address.

I can hear his fingers on the keyboard of a computer. “Hmm. Oh—that’s a recently acquired property, Ms. Gabriel. Pace, Inc. won’t be looking to make a sale on that building until after the development has been completed. And it looks like it’s slated to begin rather soon. You might do better to call back in a few months.”

“Yes, I realize that, but—wait, how soon?”

“I’m sorry I couldn’t help you, Ms. Gabriel. I’ll pass along the message that you called.”

Then, before I can get another word out, he hangs up.