Never Far Away (The Never #2)(62)

Ella pouted at him. “Your first kiss was with a drunk girl?” He shrugged again.

“It could have been worse. My first everything could have been with that drunk girl. Besides, it was only one kiss. It didn't last long and it wasn't great. But it was an experience.”

“Good point. So, who is running Porter Enterprises today?” He laughed at her.

“Porter Enterprises?”

“Well, along with the type of music you like, I also don't know the name of your company.”

“Masterson Construction. It's kind of a play on 'Masters and Son'. I wanted to make sure I gave my dad a little credit. It was his life insurance that got me started in the business. But I also didn't want to deal with explaining that Dad was gone. So, I thought Masterson was a good compromise.”

Ella reached out for his hand and laced her fingers with his. “It really is Porter. I love that name.” She took a deep breath, trying to let her feelings settle a bit. For as manly and rugged as Porter made himself out to be, he was also vulnerable and fragile at times. It was confounding to Ella. The juxtaposition of the protective and almost caveman-like persona she was use to and the inner child who just missed his father sometimes took a moment to reconcile in her mind. “So, who is manning Masterson Construction today?”

“That would be Matt. I've known him for about ten years. He was the first person I ever hired when I started my own company. He moved here to be with his girlfriend Brook, who is now his wife.” Ella heard Porter's voice drift away and knew his mind was working something out. “He is definitely the closest friend I have. Actually, I'm surprised you haven't met him yet. I think out of everyone I know he's the one who has been the most understanding about why I am the way I am.”

“What do you mean?” Ella probed.

“He knows I don't date. He's never tried to set me up with anyone and he doesn't push the subject. I've told him about what happened to my dad, and he knows how I am about my mom. In fact, he's stepped in a time or two when something's happened at the restaurant and I was unavailable. He's gone over there, no questions asked, and just helped her. I am so grateful to him for that. He's never once questioned my decision to remain single or made me feel like less of a man because I wasn't sleeping with a different woman every weekend.” He let out a little laugh and sighed through the end of it. “His wife would kick his ass if he did.”

“I think I'd like to meet these friends of yours,” Ella said softly.

“I'm sure they're dying to meet you,” he said while giving her one of his brilliant smiles.



A few hours later Ella and Porter returned to her car.

“I cannot believe we just signed a lease on a house,” Ella said excitedly.

“It's only temporary, Ella. Soon I will find a good plot to start building and we can build our dream house together.”

“Trust me, I'm excited for that to happen too, I just can't believe we found a house on our first trip, and one that was immediately available too. How'd we get so lucky?”

“It was about time some good stuff started happening for us,” he replied dryly.

“I guess you're right. But you like the house, right? You didn't just take it because I wanted to?”

“No, Babe. I liked it enough. It's no three-story craftsman on the beach, but it'll do,” he said with a wink. “Now let's go look at this storefront you're so excited about.” Ella was nearly bouncing in her seat. The storefront she'd seen on the internet looked perfect for her store. The real estate agent had assured her it had everything she was looking for.

“Promise me you'll be honest when you see it? I want your truly honest opinion,” she pleaded with him.

“Definitely.”

When they pulled up to the store front Ella couldn't contain her smile. The store had a white awning that made it look quaint from the street. She had always wanted an awning at the Portland store, but it didn't fit with the urban feel of the street the store was located on. This street in downtown Salem had more of a intimate feeling to it. It felt more personal. Not only did it have an awning, but it also had display windows, another thing she'd always wanted. She could already see mannequins in the window with different ensembles for the different seasons.

“Ok, Ella, this is the one I was telling you about,” Rachel, the real estate agent, said excitedly. “I think it has almost everything you've been looking for. Unfortunately it isn't already wire for security like you had requested, but that's something you can easily take care of once you take ownership. Let's go inside a look around.”

Rachel was an older woman, probably in her sixties, and she was all business. She was friendly enough, but she didn't engage them in small talk and was very professional. It was refreshing for Ella to be around another woman who didn't openly gawk at her boyfriend. Rachel earned points for that in Ella's book.

The inside of the store was as expected. Large and empty. The previous owners had gutted the place, and she preferred it that way. She could let her imagination run wild with an empty canvas. She was regretting not bring a pad and paper with her. Rachel must have noticed her concerned look on her face because she reached into her briefcase and handed Ella a legal pad and a pen.