Landlord Wars(51)

“My son says there are a lot of people in the city with technical skills looking for freelance work,” he said. “I’ll reach out to him and see if he can point me in the right direction. I’ll also put out feelers with a few architects I know. Find out if they ever outsource digital drawings.”

I’d been so busy I hadn’t thought of how to offload work that didn’t require my expertise. If I was going to run a business now or later, I needed to learn how to delegate. “That would be wonderful.”

He patted my shoulder. “Focus on the Bane design. I should be able to find the right person quickly, but I’d like you to interview them before we hire.”

“Absolutely,” I said.

He headed toward the back of the shop and stopped midway. “Speaking of my son, how did the date go with his friend?”

Between my mom stuff and Max changing the script on me, I’d totally forgotten about my date. I bit my lip nervously. “He was really nice, but I’m sort of seeing someone now.”

Victor winked. “That’s my girl. Glad you have someone in your life, Sophia. You deserve it.”

He called out to a contractor standing by the entrance and motioned toward the back, where they disappeared.

I finally understood the meaning of having someone special in your life. When Max fed me or secretly bought me chocolates, it felt vital. He did thoughtful things to make my life easier and more enjoyable, and it made all the difference. I could easily get addicted to it.

My phone vibrated and I reached for it. Speak of the Landlord Devil…



Max: Dinner tonight? Chinese takeout okay?





My mouth watered at the sound of takeout and the handsome deliveryman attached. But I really needed to get caught up.



Sophia: I have to work late. Tomorrow?





Max: Tomorrow it is. I’ll meet you at your place at 6 with the food. Email me the proposal when you get a chance and I’ll review it before I come over.





If Victor hired someone soonish to help with digital designs, it would free up so much of my time. My brain worked best hand-to-paper, but clients needed formal drawings, and that was time I could spend hanging out with the new boyfriend I’d somehow acquired.

I texted Elise, who’d been ghosting me for days.



Sophia: Are you still alive? Do you want to stay the night tonight? I’ll be working late, but you’re welcome to crash and avoid the rats.





She texted back a skull and crossbones. But hey, at least she responded.

I went to my recents and called her. “What’s going on with you?”

“Nothing.” Her voice sounded better than the last time I’d seen her, but she also sounded defensive.

“Elise, you can’t avoid my place forever.”

“There’s no way I’m showing up at your apartment,” she said. “I’d look desperate.”

“It’s not desperate to visit your sister. It’s not like we can comfortably hang out at Mom’s,” I pointed out.

There was a pause, then, “But he doesn’t know that, Soph. All he knows is that I made an ass of myself and then ran out.”

I looked to the ceiling with impatience. “He’s in his room most of the time. The point is, you might not even see him. You can use my room to study, out of the way of the common areas.”

“Maybe,” she said, but I could hear the doubt in her voice. “I crashed at a study partner’s last night because the rat flat is not okay. Mom was taking tentative steps around the house when I came by to grab clothes, so she’s not comfortable with the situation either.”

We chatted a little longer about the unwanted rodent guests, and then I said, “Well, when you decide to come over, shoot me a text.”





Max showed up the next night wearing jeans and a crew T-shirt and looking hot as hell.

I cleared my throat. “You clean up nicely.”

He tilted his head curiously. “You typically see me in a suit. Jeans aren’t usually considered an upgrade.”

“I’m admiring the dressed-down version,” I said.

He stepped closer, closing the front door behind him, and the heat from his body filled the space. “If this is what it takes to make you happy, I’ll show up less dressed every time.”

Visions of abs and muscles and all the things I’d felt the other night but hadn’t checked out in the flesh flashed before my eyes, and my face heated.

He leaned in and kissed my burning cheek. “I’ll take that as a yes,” he said, grinning as I stumbled for words.

“You’re terrible.” Max knew his effect on the female population, and he was using it against me.

He moved into the kitchen, and a waft of Chinese food hit me as he passed. It was hard to think straight with him around, but my lusty thoughts were replaced temporarily with images of food.

“Did you get enough?” I hadn’t eaten in hours, and now that I smelled delicious food, I was about to ravage the paper bag to get to it.

He set the bag on the counter. “I ordered three entrees and rice. That enough?” he said, no hint of sarcasm in his tone.

He’d just earned bonus points, because there was nothing worse than a man nitpicking how much a woman ate.