Page 15 of Forever Yours
The three locals looked at each other before Chuck explained, “Just under one hundred years ago, right in the middle of Prohibition, when Howard Crenshaw—”
“A relative of the current Mrs. Crenshaw?” Sebastian groaned. “I hate myself for knowing enough about this town that I’d ask that.”
Chuck nodded. “One and the same. Well, old Mr. Crenshaw purchased the exact property in question today under the guise of it being a haberdashery, when in fact he turned it into a speakeasy. The mayor was beside himself when the place was raided and introduced a bylaw that the town council would need to approve any downtown business sales.”
Sebastian looked confused. “But it wouldn’t matter what or who they approved, the person who buys it will do whatever they want anyway, right?”
Greyson laughed. “Don’t bring your big city logic into this. It is what it is, and the business owners just live with it.”
“We live with it,” Gabe took over, “but I guess it’s only an issue if two people want the same space. The council said they hadn’t seen this before, so they told us we both needed to submit written proposals. When I got this place, they gave me verbal approval at the meeting before the paperwork was signed, but I wasn’t competing with anyone. I gave my best pitch for expanding at the meeting, and I don’t know what more they want.” He looked at Greyson. “You knew Devlin was going to offer for the place the whole time, didn’t you, Grey?”
“Nope, not going to let you bait me, little brother. She’s one of Prudence’s best friends and I won’t get in between you on this. You and Devlin can work this out but leave me out of it.”
Gabe turned to Sebastian. “Did you know anything about this?”
Sebastian shook his head. “I’m not dating, nor have I ever slept with, any of the women in our friend group. I have no reason to know anything that goes on, and I’m more than happy to keep it that way.”
“Well, AB and Pru will be rooting for Devlin, I know that much. Can you at least help me with the proposal?” Gabe asked Greyson, verging on begging.
“I’m just an actor, I wouldn’t know where to begin writing any kind of proposal. Unless it’s for the female audience.” Greyson winked at no one. “In fact, my marriage proposal in—”
Gabe groaned over Greyson’s words then turned to Sebastian and Chuck with a hopeful expression.
“Sorry, buddy,” Chuck said. “I was no good at the business end of business.”
“I’ll help,” Sebastian offered. “I’ve got plenty of experience writing proposals. Plus, if I can piss Winters off in the process, I’d consider that a win-win.”
Greyson had been silent for a moment, then added, “I did play a real estate developer as one of Ben Stone’s aliases. I might be able to remember some lines.” Now everyone groaned. “What? I did a good job with that one.”
After a moment, Gabe exclaimed, “Hey, I have an idea!”
“Why do those words scare me?” Greyson narrowed his eyes.
“Why don’t we go to Mom and Dad’s cabin? I’m ready for a break and you can get away from the renovations, and Pru said she’s had her normal slow start to the year. The timing is perfect. I can buckle down and work on the proposal uninterrupted.”
“That might be the best idea you’ve had in a long time.” Greyson looked at Sebastian and Chuck. “You guys in? The cabin has plenty of room.”
Chuck shook his head. “That sounds like fun, but I don’t have the time for a vacation right now.”
“C’mon, Sebastian,” Greyson goaded, turning his attention to Sebastian. “You can perfect your mountain man persona.”
“I can swing a mean ax, but I’m no mountain man. Besides, I’m with Chuck, I don’t have time for a vacation. I’ve got too much to do at the newspaper. This Winter Wonderland crap is worse than the Fall Festival. At least with the Fall Festival it wasn’t an ungodly shade of cold out.”
“You own the newspaper,” Gabe said, “so I relate as a fellow business owner, but can’t you just delegate for a weekend?”
“The newspaper business doesn’t work that way. Plus, if I took time off, I’d never hear the end of it from Winters, and it’s a good day when she doesn’t have something to yell at me about.”
“I’m guessing Annabelle would come with, though.” Greyson fidgeted with his darts as he spoke, lining them up on the table.
“Not if I don’t give her the time off.” Sebastian smirked.
“You’ll give her the time off,” Gabe stated. “I don’t think you can deny her anything.”
Sebastian was somehow able to appear both affronted and guilty at the same time and he took a quick sip of his drink. “I can deny her whatever I want.”
“Whatever you say.” Greyson rolled his eyes. “Anyway, before we get started, I have something to ask you.”
“Now I’m the one who feels like he should be scared.”