Whipped (Hitched #2)(44)

"So that's what you look for. Look for that space. Not the space in your head, but the space that will actually work. And then think of ways to generate funding for it. You've been looking for an investor or two. Have you considered letting the kids use their skills to raise the funds through a large group of interested people in the community? A fundraiser of some kind?"

Lach’s arms tighten around me. “A fundraiser…” he trails off. And for the first time since he lost his funding, I hear a smile in his voice as he starts talking about plans for the center.





CHAPTER 26





LACH


I have an idea. A grand idea of helping kids and teaching dance. And the idea is great, but it's time to think smaller. Think about what I really need to accomplish. Marvin was right. I got stuck on one way of doing things. The Spacey Mall. Investors. I need to be open to other possibilities. The fundraiser is the first step.

Vi and I toss around ideas for how to organize it as we walk back to the car, our sweat-covered bodies glistening in the sun. "Kacie and Tate can invite some of their clients," she says.

I nod. "And we can make posters. I'm sure Kevin and his friends will help pass them out."

"I could hang some up in the store."

I raise an eyebrow. "Advertising a youth fundraiser alongside purple dildos?"

She shrugs. "Lots of my customers have kids."

We pass the closed-down building I noticed earlier. An old man with a long gray beard walks out the door, a brown box under his arm, and locks up. I've never seen anyone in the place. Makes me curious. "Excuse me. Is this your gym?"

The man grunts. "Used to be. Couldn't keep up with the rent. Not with that other gym across the block." He shakes his head. "Should have opened somewhere far away from competition."

Poor guy. I imagine having to close down the youth center. It would break me. "I'm sorry you had to close down."

He rubs his eyes and hiccups. "Yeah, me too. We had a nice family place, you know. A place where the kids could play while you and your honey got a workout in. Close to the schools. I'll miss it." Another hiccup. "Well, see ya." He grunts again and wanders down the street, wobbling side to side. I wonder if there's a bottle of whiskey in his box. I'd be drowning my sorrows too if my dreams collapsed.

I examine the closed gym. It's in nice condition. Looks spacious through the windows. The place must have been great.

And it could be again.

I spin on Vi, startling her. "I have an idea," I say, barely able to contain my excitement. "This could be the place. For the youth center."

Her eyes light up. "It's perfect. And if it's close to schools, that means a shorter drive for parents."

"Exactly." My mind runs with ideas. "I'll contact the schools, see if they're interested in the fundraiser."

"Yes, we can give them posters."

"Yes!"

Vi raises her hand and I high-five her, because you know, we're cool like that. We rush back home, shower, and get to work. Vi contacts Kacie and Tate and starts work on the posters, googling Photoshop tutorials. I call nearby schools, explaining the fundraiser. I manage to reach one of the principals, a woman with a high-pitched voice, and she sounds very interested. "We'll send forms home with the kids. I know a lot of parents who will love this." I thank her and move on to the next school on my list. Not everyone is as responsive. It's okay. I'm making progress, and it feels fantastic.

I contact the owner of the closed gym and talk price. He stutters through the whole conversation. I can tell he’s desperate to rent but trying not to show it. In the end, I offer to buy the building outright. "That's… that's a nice offer."

I chuckle. It's nothing compared to what the Spacey Mall would have cost. "You want it, or not?"

"I… um… yes… I want it. I want it."

"Good. Let's meet tomorrow and finalize the deal." We arrange a time to meet at the gym.

Vi glances at me, still sitting on the couch with her laptop. "That's pricey."

It is, which is why I've decided something else. I call my real estate agent, Lucy. "I want to pull out of escrow."

She pauses. "Let's meet and talk about it."

"Sure." I set a time for the next day, before my meeting with the gym owner.

Vi taps on her keyboard. "I thought you loved that house."

"I did, but I don't need it right now. The next house I buy, I want to buy with you."

Her cheeks flush happily and she continues making the poster. We work late into the night and fall asleep on the floor. The next day, I meet with Lucy at her office. Her assistant, a petite redhead, brings us tea. Lucy sits cross-legged on a couch, her short blond cut in an A-line. "So, what made you change your mind?"

I sip the tea. It's bitter and hot. "I'm simplifying. Focusing on what's important."

She fidgets with her fingers. "But you loved that house. You told me you dreamed of having one like it since you were a kid."

"I did. But I have other dreams now."

She sighs. "You're a pain in the ass, you know that?"

I grin. "I make up for it in other ways."