How to Love Your Neighbour(87)

He switched lanes, grateful that the traffic wasn’t horrendous.

“Why do you say that?” Grace picked her coffee up from the drink holder to sip.

“Wes got back to me after my game. The two companies that turned down my bids did so because my father undercut me.”

She gasped. “What? Do you think he knew? Of course he knew. Does he have any other properties in California? Why would he do that?”

There was something about the way her tone changed, hard and protective, that did something all the working out in the world couldn’t achieve: it made him feel understood. Like he might be standing on the edge of a cliff but he wasn’t alone there.

“All good questions. I do think he knew exactly what he was doing, and he has investments everywhere but these were very targeted. He wants to show me he’s still in charge.”

“God. What is wrong with people? Parents are supposed to support you, push you to be better by showing you the way. They’re supposed to protect you and love you, not try to screw up your life to show you who’s boss.”

Taking the exit for Anaheim, he glanced over briefly. “We still talking about my dad?”

Her hand twitched under his. “Doesn’t matter. It just doesn’t seem right.”

“It does matter. You matter to me, Grace.”

“Are we going to Disneyland?”

He wasn’t sure what to think of her sidestepping his declaration. Hardly a declaration, man. Coffee matters. Surfing, getting a good deal, and hanging out with friends matter. She’s more than that.

“No. But we can another day, if you’d like.”

“Never been. I’d love to.”

He smiled, thinking that he’d like to experience a whole world of firsts with her.

“Then we’ll make a plan. Now, back to the conversation. Were we talking about just my dad?”

She sighed, setting her cup down. “My mom phoned Morty’s trying to find me. Sent a couple more letters. She asked for money when I first moved and she’s texted a bunch. I haven’t opened the latest letters. I’m tired. I want to move forward. I don’t want to go back.”

Taking a detour, he turned on Katella Avenue. “I get that.” He felt the same about his father.

“People don’t change,” she said, so quietly he almost missed it.

Noah didn’t answer right away. If he took a long look in the mirror, he wasn’t entirely sure he agreed. “I think they can. Given the right motivation,” he said.

She started to say something but stopped, put her hand to the window. “Disneyland!”

The excitement in her tone thrilled him. They were definitely going there together.

“Another day. I promise.” The words fell from his lips as easily as they had the other night. Instead of making his stomach clench, they infused him with confidence. He would follow through. He wasn’t his father. The longer he was here, the more time he spent with Grace, his brother, and even Josh, the more true it felt.

“I’ll hold you to that.”

They drove in silence for several more blocks, Noah taking the turns he knew well. He’d checked the lot out several times, had Josh look into zoning. He’d applied for all the permits and talked to Kyle about the build. Now he needed backing. But before he got to that, which felt far off given how badly his golf game had gone, he wanted to share this with Grace.

He wanted to hold up a mirror so they could see all of themselves but also each other. This was letting her all the way in. He hadn’t even shared this with Chris, and Wes knew only pieces.

He pulled up to the abandoned lot. It was partially fenced in. The neighborhood surrounding it was middle class, with modest one-and two-story homes. It was centrally located between an elementary and junior high school. Apart from the palm trees and bright yellow shrubbery, it reminded him of New York. Of strolling with his grandfather through residential areas, looking at buildings. He hadn’t realized then how special those moments were.

They got out of the car, Grace eyeing him quizzically. It seemed so natural to meet at the front of his truck, join hands. He leaned down, kissed her, his other hand moving to her hip. She fit against him so perfectly it should scare him. It would have, even a few months ago. Now it made him want more.

When she pulled back, she reached up, brushed her fingers through his hair. “What are we doing here?”

He turned, put his arm around her shoulder so they were staring at the land.

“I want to do more than buy and sell. My grandfather was more than that. I’d hoped to do something similar in New York with warehouses I’d purchased. I want to leave a positive mark.” His cheeks heated. Why the hell was he embarrassed?

“You want to make the community better even if it costs you,” she said, looking at him like he made rainbows appear from nothing.

“I think, whenever you have a chance to give back, you should. It’s more than that, though. It’s hard to explain in words but I think I’ve gotten more out of hanging with Rob and those boys than I’ve been able to give back.”

“You always underestimate your impact. You’re giving them your time. That’s a powerful gift in a lot of circumstances.”

He smiled at her, squeezing her shoulder. “You’re right but it’s helped clear the fog I feel like I’ve been walking around in professionally. I bought this land. On my own. It’s the first thing I’ve bought without my father’s or brothers’ input. I want to build a community center. I thought I could get Sergio and his band of annoying men to donate but it didn’t work out how I hoped. But I’m not giving up. The three-on-three tournament will raise money for the San Verde center but there aren’t enough places for kids to turn to. I want to create one from the ground up. I was going to pay for the land outright with the sale of my warehouses in New York but my father blocked the sale.”