Page 114 of November

“The CEO wanted a gym and a day care, and we’re out of space. We also needed more parking for all the new people we’re hiring.”

“And Colter cares about that?”

“He probably thought he was doing something nice for his sister. Maisie, I’d never put your shop in jeopardy. If there was some issue, we’d work through the permit stuff.”

“I know,” Maisie said, still feeling a little defeated.

“I actually stopped my boss from buying the land.”

“What land?”

“Your shop.”

“You stopped–”

“He wanted to buy your land to turn it into more offices with the gym and day care. I told him about the garage idea, and we’re doing that instead.”

“You did that? When?”

“Before you and I met.”

“I didn’t know.”

“Whywouldyou?” India asked with a smile.

“I don’t know what to do, India. It takes months in this city to get on the agenda. Sure, I can go and speak, but even just to ask a damn question, there’s a form and a process. It took me forever both times to get on the agenda before. I know he said he wasn’t going to come after the shop, but I believe him about as far as I can throw him. He told me I hada spot on the agenda, and that didn’t work out. He could find someone like his uncle who wants the property tomorrow. And yes, I can turn down the sale, but he’s right: the city can take someone’s property at any time with some lowball offer, and that’s it.”

“I’ll talk to him and get you back on the agenda, Maisie. I know people, too. I’ll talk to all of them if I have to.”

Maisie tilted her head and said, “No, that’s not what–”

“It’ll be okay. I’ll take care of it. You may not be able to trust him, but you can trustme. You know that, right?”

“Yes, but–”

“I’ll call that idiot right now,” India said. “And I’ll call whoever else I need to.”

“India!”

“What?”

“I don’t need you to fix it.”

“But it’smyfault,” India replied.

“No, it’s not. It’s not about you at all.”

“The parking garage.”

“You didn’t ask him for that. He did it on his own.”

“But it’s getting in your way.”

“Yes,myway. And I’ll solve this on my own.”

“On your own,” India repeated softly. “But I’m here to help.”

“I don’t need you to fix things for me. I can handle this myself,” she said. “I just needed to vent to the woman I’m dating. That’s why I came over here.”