Page 14 of Love Decoded

Why is this case different?

I should’ve hacked into his email and looked up the case. Goddamnit. I didn’t even think to do that because I genuinely didn’t think he’d show up here.

So imagine my surprise when I showed up and found the most attractive man I’d ever seen—his headshot did not do him justice—sitting in my favorite late-night café. He drove up from Philadelphia, which is at least three hours with traffic, to meet a random PI for a random case. I don’t get it.

I’m operating with far less information than I’m comfortable with.

Which is why I’m hanging on Lucas’s words when he finally sighs and starts talking.

“Randall was my college professor,” he explains. “You know how most people have an adult in their formative years who alters their lives and puts them on a very specific path? Randall was that person for me. He’s the reason I got into law, too.” Lucas’s eyes dart to mine, and after a moment’s hesitation, he gruffly admits, “Although he probably would have preferred me to get involved in a different type of law.”

I take another sip of my espresso to hide the smile that wants to appear at the admission. At least he’s honest.

Another sigh, and this time Lucas slumps heavier into his chair, seeming like the weight of the world is on his shoulders. I feel the odd urge to pat his arm.

“I meant it when I said he’s the best man I know—besides my brothers and father, of course. He’s a quiet, gentle old man whose only objective his entire life has been to challenge the minds of the youth. He doesn’t have a judgmental bone in his body, so he’s never cruel, and I’ve seen him give the figurative shirt off his back to multiple people. He’s crazy smart.” Lucas’s lip twitches as his eyes lock on me. “He’s also the most morally sound person I’ve ever met. You’d love him.”

I roll my eyes and try to hide my amusement. It’s not like I have a moral high horse, I just…judge the immoral.

“Anyway,” Lucas continues. “A while back, he started his own company. It’s a real estate company that buys houses and then rents them out. Over the years he’s capitalized on buyer’s markets and purchased a few properties. But what sets Randall’s company apart is that he focuses on a very specific type of tenant.”

My curiosity is officially piqued. “And what type is that?”

“Essentially, he focuses on low-income families. He realized there was a gap between people who qualified for housing assistance programs and people who simply couldn’t afford the average rental prices. So, he bought properties for cheap to keep rent even cheaper. I doubt he made much money off of it, to be honest. Just enough to pay the mortgage and maintenance fees. It was never going to be a financial venture for him.” Lucas shrugs and adds softly, “I suspect he did it because he wanted to leave some kind of tangible legacy and not just the kind that lives on in his students.”

He's right: I would like Randall.

“But he’s getting older,” Lucas finishes with a big exhale, “and his wife just retired, and he doesn’t want the headache anymore. He’s ready to sell it. Which is where you come in.”

“He already found a buyer,” I guess. “And you want someone to check them out.”

Lucas nods, not seeming surprised that I figured out my role in this. “Look, Randall’s not under any delusion that his vision for this company will continue under a new buyer. There’s too much potential for money and humans are too greedy. But I guess he’s hoping he can still find an ethical buyer. Someone who at least believes in his vision and doesn’t immediately jack the prices up for the tenants. It might even be good as a non-profit.” He sighs. “Anyway, he thinks he found the right buyer, but…he just wants to make sure. This company means too much to him to pass it off to the wrong person.”

“I can imagine,” I murmur.

Lucas starts to spin his coffee cup between his fingers. “We need someone to do due diligence. They’re already doing theirs on Randall, but I want to make sure there’s nothing illegal going on in the buyer’s company, nothing that would make them desperate for money. I know hoping for a decent group of executives is a lot, but I’d still like to get an idea of their calibers.” His eyes lift slowly to lock with mine. “And I need the best to do it.”

I try not to preen at the compliment. I mean, I know I’m the best at this kind of stuff, but hearing a man like Lucas say it—a man who just drove three hours each way to convince me to take the job—makes me feel extra special.

For the first time since I got his firm’s email yesterday, I consider the offer. If Randall is as good of a man as Lucas says he is, it might not be a bad project to take on. Especially since Randall’s company is my favorite type to work for, and due diligence is the research I like the most. It’s exciting to dig through every nook and cranny of a company, to not know what you’re looking for but to know there might be something.

I nibble on my lip as I mull it over. Then I reach for the untouched cannoli and chew on that as I think some more. It isn’t until Lucas tastes his own cannoli and lets out an audible sound of surprise that my attention snaps to him.

“Holy shit, that’s good,” he says. “How have I never heard of this place?”

I take another nibble of my pastry. “I’ve been trying to figure that out for the past year. It’s a tragedy that this place is still a hole in the wall.”

Lucas finishes off the cannoli in two more giant bites, and I hold back a chuckle. “Does this mean I should expect to see you in my favorite café more often?”

He wipes his hands with a napkin, looking forlornly at the glass case with the pastries. “Probably not,” he answers distractedly. “I’m in New York a good bit, but not as much as I’d like. And this place is kind of out of my way.” Then his gaze tracks back to me. “How long have you lived in New York? Are you in the city?”

I debate how much of myself I should share with a total stranger. But after a brief contemplation, I reveal the barest hint.

“I’m just outside of it. Been here for a year.”

Lucas makes an ahh sound. “Did you grow up around the city? Or where are you from?”

I have no idea why I reveal another hint. “I’ve been in the Northeast my whole life, but I’ve always bounced around cities and states. I’m a bit of a nomad.”