Azura cocked an eyebrow.
“That’s one way of looking at it,” she said.
“I have been looking for something of a similar era to host some charity events that I run,” Gerri began. “Would you be interested in that?”
Azura had to take another look at the home that once glimmered with happiness and childhood wonder. It may as well have been in the middle of some jungle, rotting away with abandonment.
“Umm,” Azura said, turning back. “It’s not exactly in the best shape for events right now. I’ve been trying to get a loan, actually, to get it looking its best.”
Gerri nodded, her smile never fading.
“I can make you a deal. I can get my people in here to do a general upkeep to the outside area and hold a fundraiser with tents to raise money for the internal repairs.”
Azura thought she was dreaming, or at the least, that someone was fucking with her. Ever since her parents had passed, she no longer believed in happy endings.
She looked around, trying to spot the camera that was catching a fool being, well, a fool.
“Why would you do that for me? You don’t know me at all.” Azura asked.
Gerri shrugged, continuing to show off that dashing smile.
“I know a good investment when I see one. I’m sure she will look decadent once we give her a little polishing.”
Oh, what the hell.
Azura and Gerri exchanged contact information, and they shook hands once again. Just before Gerri drove away, she placed on her sunglasses and gave Azura a mischievous smirk.
“Oh, by the way, Azura,” Gerri began. “Are you currently dating anyone?”
Azura placed her phone back into her pocket, frowning.
“I don’t have time to date,” she said with a grin. “I barely have time to take care of myself.”
Gerri shot her a wink, and it was different than the one that Mr. Fogarty had given Martin. Gerri’s wink held a deeper meaning, Azura could tell.
Gerri drove away, and Azura trekked back up the driveway. She and Martin kept the subjects light as they ordered pizza and watched a crime drama. But Azura could barely concentrate from the excitement coursing through her that could burst from her chest like an alien.
She went to bed feeling hopeful but scolded herself for the feeling. It was a comforting sensation that she hadn’t felt in a long time.
Either it will come through, or it won’t. There are no two ways about it.