Learning to Live, Again

Chapter Twenty-three

Corbin

"So, what, if any, problems does the building have? Sir?" I looked up from my phone. "Is there something wrong?"

Taking a deep breath, I shook my head. "What? No. Umm, I'm fine. What was your question?"

The young girl in front of me brushed a piece of wine red hair that fell from her bun behind her ear. "Umm," she cleared her throat, blushing when my eyes met hers. "Are there any problems with the building?"

I shook my head again. "No. The building is completely up to date on the safety requirements. You know, no leaks and whatever." The girl didn't seem to believe me, but she seemed too nervous to accuse me of anything.

She held the clipboard to her chest, hiding behind it a little. "So, is there-"

"I'm sorry; what was your name?"

She tilted her head a little, her perfectly plucked eyebrows furrowing together. "Umm, Daisy. I'm sorry sir, I don't know what-"

"Listen, Daisy," I said, interrupting her, "I spent whatever money I had left of my college fund to buy this building and get it set up for children. I had children in this building. My life long goal was to have a daycare. I went to every class I could to learn about children." I took a step towards her, and she backed up into the wall, a small squeak coming from her lips. "This business, this daycare for children, means everything to me. So, you tell me if there are any problems with the building."

Daisy's frightened green eyes were wide with fear. I was close enough to her that I could see the perspiration on her forehead and see her gulp. She licked her trembling lips. "I'm sorry, sir. You're right. That was a foolish thing to ask."

The girl was young, barely eighteen, and obviously a homebody. She wasn't the bravest of assistants, and I still wondered why Mr. Anvil had sent this child to finish a business deal.

Sighing, I took a step away from her. "Look, I'm sorry. I'm not usually so," I paused, looking for the right word, "frightening, I suppose you could say."

She blushed, looking up at me through her eyelashes, and all I could think was how cute she looked biting her bottom lip. "No, I'm sorry. I'm kind of a nervous girl." Her eyes were bright and wide, making her look like a deer in the headlights. She set her hand on my chest. "You're really not that frightening. Your face is too kind." Her eyes had turned a shade darker, and I swallowed. I knew what eyes like that meant.

If it had been years earlier, regardless of relationship status, I would have flirted back. I would have held her hand to my chest, and I would have tried to kiss her. If that went well, then I would have taken her into the nearest room and made her night.

But it wasn't years earlier. It was now, and now I had two little bodies at home that I couldn't afford to lose because of one mistake, however fun that mistake might be.

I cleared my throat, taking another step away from her to put distance between us. "So how much was Mr. Anvil offering?"

Her hand dropped, disappointment flashing across her face, but it disappeared as quick as it had come. "One hundred thousand dollars."

I had been taking a drink when she spoke, so my gasp caused water to launch down my windpipe, causing me to cough viciously. "Oh my god, sir, are you okay?"

I nodded, coughing harshly one last time before straightening up. "One hundred thousand? Are you serious? I wasn't even asking a fourth of that."

Daisy nodded her head. "Oh, we know, but Mr. Anvil wants this building, and he wanted to make sure you would have no reason to back out. Plus, he heard about your mother, and your daughter, and your friend, and your wife, and he's a very caring man. Besides, one hundred thousand isn't anything to him. That's like dropping two dollars for a tip, baby doll."

I scowled. "How does he know that?"

She was all business now, her frightened-innocent-girl facade forgotten about. I smirked to myself. Now I understood why he had sent her here. "She does a background check on everyone he does business with. That way he knows he's not doing business with a criminal." Something about the way she smiled when she said "criminal" sent chills down my spine, but I ignored it.

"Yea, well, I could use the money." Then it dawned on me what she had said. "What about my wife," I asked, scowling. "She hasn't been to the hospital."

Daisy's eyebrows raised. "Oh? She's been going for prenatal care, hasn't she?"

I scoffed. "Bull-fucking-shit. We haven't had sex since before the twins were born."

Daisy's face showed surprise. "Oh, well maybe you need to have a talk with your wife." She didn't look very upset about my situation, and if my phone hadn't buzzed for the fifth time that night, I would have done exactly what I had wanted to do earlier.

"Tell your boss we have a deal. Looks like I'm going to be needing that money sooner rather than later."

"Of course. Thank you for your business. I'll be stopping by here in a few days with some things you need to sign, and then all the money will be wired into your bank account."

"Thank you," I said, picking up my phone. "Hello?"

"Corbin, it's Beth. I'm sure you know she's awake." I nodded, not caring if she could see me or not. "Well, she's asking for you."