Page 50

He shook his head. “You’re supposed to negotiate a lower price.”
I smiled. “Is it necessary?”
“I’ll tell you what. I’ll throw in the equipment and lower the price by ten thousand pounds.”
I cocked my head. “Why?”
“I fear the man waiting for you would clock me one if he thought I took advantage of you.” He winked and I chuckled.
“What comes next?” I asked.
He scratched his chin. “I suppose we write the deal, then you get a mortgage.”
“Not needed. Would it be possible to wire the funds? My solicitor can do so by the end of the day.”
He laughed and shook his head.
“What?” I asked.
“You remind me of me.”
This man had no idea how much I revered him. “There could be no higher honor.”
His expression softened. “Do you believe in fate, lass?”
So often in the last twenty-four hours, a decision or an opportunity had presented itself to put me here. “Very much so, sir.”
“Always follow your heart, and it will lead where you’re supposed to go.”
“I suppose now it needs to lead me to a flat here in Brighton.”
“Good time of year to be looking for one,” he said before we shook on the deal and he wrote down his solicitor’s contact information. After locking up, he handed me the keys.
“Are you sure you want to give me these now?” I asked.
“Will you back out of the deal?”
My eyes opened wide. “Of course not.”
“Then, they’re yours.”
I couldn’t contain the smile on my face as I walked out to the beach to look for Levi. I found him standing at the edge of the water.
“All set,” I said when I got closer.
“You made the deal, then?” he said when he turned around. “Your smile shows it.”
“Mr. Beaumont asked me if I believed in fate.”
He raised a brow. “And?”
“How could I not? I mean, what if you hadn’t gone to the pub where Niven asked to meet? It just snowballed from there. One thing after another. Now, here I am, about to take possession of a studio owned by one of my idols. It’s crazy.”
He wrapped his arm around my waist. “Your smile could light up the darkest of places.”
I saw something in his eyes that reminded me of Niven. “Does your work haunt you, Levi?”
He sighed and rested his head against mine. “Every moment of the day, until I met you.”