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In the daytime, the house looked that much moreher, dandelions in the yard and all.

Cora and Andrew ran ahead, and Levi followed them with his grandparents. Farrah and I walked behind them, and I put my arm around her back, curling my fingers at her waist. “I’m excited to see your place.”

Apprehension filled her eyes. “It’s nothing fancy.”

I reached out, tipping her chin up briefly. “It’syou. That’s what I like, remember?”

She nodded, smiling slightly as we walked slowly over the sidewalk. “The photo shoot was fun today, don’t you think?”

“I’m never going to forget you and Cora sitting at that corner table in your robes with towels on your heads, eating chocolate strawberries. It was adorable.”

Leaning her head against my shoulder, she said, “It was the best. Pascale made the whole event so fun for the kids. I was worried they’d get restless.”

“They did great,” I agreed. “You’ve done a wonderful job with them, Farrah.”

She smiled up at me before reaching the open door. “This is our home.”

We stepped into a space that instantly felt like her. I could see her touch now in the pictures hanging of her kids, the way she’d spotlighted Andrew’s art, giving it a home on almost every wall.

Her living room couch was large, cozy, perfect for the hours they surely spent together there. But it was simple too. There weren’t any overstated pieces or intrusive designs. Perfectly Farrah and her sweet little family.

My condo might have had all the luxuries a person could possess, but being in this space made me feel richer than I ever had before.

The boys sat down to play video games while Cora pulled her grandma along to her room to look for toys. Farrah and her dad sat at the table while Farrah typed on her phone to order pizza, and I joined them.

“I’ve been enjoying the coffee Farrah brings from Barry’s,” I told her dad.

He clasped his hands on the table, a slight smile playing on his lips. “I heard you’ve been by the shop. Now I know why you were so interested,” he teased, nodding toward Farrah.

“Dad,” she said, setting her phone down. “Wait.” She looked at me. “You went to Barry’s?”

I nodded. “We actually need a coffee shop in the hotel. I’ve been weighing my options, but you’ve got something special going on there at Barry’s. Any chance you’d be interested in opening a second location?”

Farrah covered her mouth. “Oh my gosh, Dad, that’s an amazing opportunity.”

Barry shook his head. “That’s a big honor, Gage, but I’m going to have to turn it down.”

My eyebrows drew together, confused by his immediate refusal. “You don’t want to hear the offer first?” I knew it would be well worth his while.

Barry simply shook his head.

Farrah reached across the table, putting her hand atop her father’s forearm. “Are you sure, Dad? That could be a great source of extra income for you and Mom.”

Barry patted her hand. “You and Gage are still young, with lots of energy, but someday you’ll understand where I’m coming from. The only thing you can’t buy in this life is time, and I’m happy with the time I have to spend with Jenna and you and the kids. Taking on another project might make me more money, but what’s it worth if I can’t make it to Levi’s games or hang out with the kids after school? I don’t need a bigger house or more cash sitting in the bank. I have all I need right here.”

The words hit me one after another. He hadn’t meant them harshly, but I understood. The only thing I’d ever needed my time for was my business. How could I balance growing my business and serving my employees while also taking part in a life with Farrah? Would late evenings and weekends be enough?

I pushed the thought to the back of my mind. “If you want to connect me with your supplier, maybe we could do a ‘proudly serves Barry’s coffee’ label like the chain that shall not be named.”

Barry tapped his temple. “Now you’re thinking, son.”

Hearing someone call me son did strange things in my chest, and I took a deep breath, trying not to give away how much his kindness meant to me. “Barry’s really is a special place, though. How did you set such a great company culture?”

“Lead by example, care about people, and you’ll attract the right kind of team.”

Farrah nodded. “The shop has always been a fun place to hang out. It used to be open until six at night instead of two in the afternoon, and I’d go there after school to do homework and hang out before I got old enough to work there. It was like a second home. Now Levi is working there too over the summer.”

“That’s a great legacy,” I said. A family business like the one I’d always wanted.