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"She said yes," Felix says, and it's not a question.

"She said yes. And she sounded excited about it."

"Our omega wants to see your work," Theo observes, and there's something almost reverent in his voice. "She wants to understand what drives you."

"It's a good sign," Felix agrees. "Belle could have suggested something safer, more traditional. The fact that she's willing to step outside her comfort zone shows she's taking this seriously."

"Now I just have to make sure I don't mess it up," I say, though my nerves are overwhelmed by excitement.

"You won't," Theo says firmly. "Marcus, you're in your element when you're talking about construction and development. Belle is going to see exactly why we fell in love with your passion and vision."

"I hope so," I say. "I really hope so."

Saturday morning arrives bright and clear, with the kind of crisp autumn air that makes everything feel full of possibility. I dress carefully—work boots, jeans, a flannel shirt that's professional enough for Belle but practical enough for the job site. The goal is to look like myself, not like I'm trying to impress her with anything other than authenticity.

Belle is waiting outside her apartment building when I pull up, and the sight of her takes my breath away. She's wearing dark jeans, sturdy boots, and a soft sweater in a shade of blue that makes her eyes look even more striking. Her hair is pulledback in a practical ponytail, and she looks both beautiful and ready for an adventure.

"Good morning," she says as she slides into the passenger seat, and her scent fills the car with warmth and something that might be anticipation.

“Hey. You look perfect," I tell her, then worry that I'm coming on too strong.

But Belle just smiles, settling into the seat and buckling her seatbelt. "So do you. Very authentically Marcus."

"Is that a good thing?"

"It's exactly what I was hoping for," she says. "I want to see who you really are, not some polished version you think I want to meet."

The drive to the construction site takes about twenty minutes, and we spend the time talking about everything and nothing. Belle tells me about her week at the library, about a new literacy program she's developing for adult learners. I tell her about the challenges we've been facing with the community center project, the way neighborhood politics can complicate even the most straightforward construction.

"It must be frustrating," Belle observes, "when you know you're trying to build something good for the community but still have to navigate all the bureaucracy and competing interests."

"It can be," I admit. "But it's also what makes the work meaningful. Anyone can throw up a building. Creating something that actually serves the people who will use it, that becomes part of the fabric of a neighborhood that requires understanding the community, listening to what they need."

"Is that how you approach all your projects?"

"The ones that matter, yes. We could make more money building generic strip malls and cookie-cutter developments.But I started this company because I wanted to create spaces that improve people's lives."

Belle is quiet for a moment, and I can smell her scent shifting toward something warmer and more interested. "That's beautiful," she says finally. "It's not just about the construction for you. It's about the impact."

"Exactly. And this community center is a perfect example. The old one was damaged in a flood last year, and the neighborhood has been without a central gathering space ever since. No place for kids to go after school, no venue for community meetings or events. We're not just rebuilding, but improving it, making it more resilient and more functional."

"What kinds of improvements?"

"Better flood protection, obviously. More flexible spaces that can serve multiple purposes. A commercial kitchen for community dinners and cooking classes. A computer lab for job training and homework help. Green building features that will keep operating costs low long-term."

"You've thought of everything," Belle says, and there's admiration in her voice that makes my chest swell with pride.

"I've tried to. But the real test is whether the people who use the building feel like it works for them."

We're pulling into the construction site now, and I can see Belle taking in the organized chaos of the work in progress. The foundation is complete, and the framing is about half finished. Workers in hard hats are scattered across the site, each focused on their particular piece of the larger puzzle.

"It's bigger than I expected," Belle says as I park the truck.

"Community centers need to be big enough to actually serve the community," I explain, grabbing two hard hats from the back seat. "This one will have space for about 200 people for events, plus the smaller specialized rooms."

I hand Belle one of the hard hats, and she puts it on without complaint, adjusting the strap to fit properly. The sight of her prepared for the work site, taking the safety requirements seriously, sends a jolt of attraction through me that I have to work to suppress.

"Ready for the tour?" I ask.