Page 62 of It's a Widow Thing

She was so relieved. She was going to make her own decisions about her business, but it was still important to have Michael’s support. “Good. I was worried you were going to say that I’m not valuing what I built. But I don’t look at it that way. I’m putting quality of life front-and-center. I’m taking advantage of my hard work and cashing in on some of it so I can have more time.”

“More time for us, I hope.”

“Yes, Michael. For us. For living. I want to go on adventures. I want to travel. I want to learn more about wine and take an improv class. I want to get lost somewhere. I want to dive off a waterfall and jump out of an airplane.”

“I’m not jumping out of an airplane.”

“Actually, on second thought, I’m not totally sure I want to, either.” A breathy laugh escaped her lips and she took both of his hands. “But do you see what I’m saying? The last year together has been so amazing. I love you, Michael. And I want to experience more of life together. That’s all. I want to slow down. For us.”

Michael nodded and smiled. “I think that sounds like the right call. I agree.”

“Wait. You what?”

“I agree. You should do whatever it is that you need to do. Pick a price that makes you happy and go for it.”

“I thought for sure you were going to fight me on this.”

He shook his head. “A week ago, maybe. But Brian called me today. That’s actually who I was talking to when I walked up to Echo Beauty. He’s leaving his real estate firm. He wants to go into private development and he wants me to go in with him. Not the big corporate jobs. He’s thinking we would flip apartments and condos. As in we’d actually get our hands dirty.”

“Ooh. Sounds sexy.” This made an absolute ribbon of elation run through Sabrina. He’d been so unhappy with his job, and this sounded like something with a lot more soul than working on Wall Street. Plus, she relished the mental image of him in jeans and a T-shirt, wielding a sledgehammer and knocking down walls. She wasn’t exactly sure it would play out that way, but she liked the idea. “Please tell me you’re going to do it.”

“I’d like to. But just like you wanted to talk to me, I needed to talk to you.”

They continued their stroll between the rows of shops. “I’m on board with whatever you want to do.”

“Good. Because I already have a first project in mind. It’s not going to bring in any money now. But it’ll be a good investment. Brian agrees.”

“Well, you have more than enough money to do something like that, right?”

“I do.”

“And I’m happy to go in as a silent partner if you need any help. What’s the project?”

“The Van Cleeves’ apartment. They’re moving to Florida full-time and they want to unload it.”

Sabrina was a little sad that Nora and Walter were moving, but she’d known for a long time that they wanted to spend the entire year in a sunnier, less complicated place. Even with their considerable wealth, money could only do so much to make the city less exhausting. “Do you really think you can’t make a profit on that property? It’s stunning. It’s the penthouse.Someonewill want to live there.”

Michael pointed to one of the tiny buildings the vendors were in. “I think this is us. Right ahead.”

“Okay.”

They stepped inside the little shop, which had a gray-haired older gentleman sitting behind a long counter with all sorts of jewelry—rings, necklaces, and watches. It was a lovely spot, but this did not look like the place to buy something for a seven-year-old.

“I was thinking we would,” Michael said.

“Hold on a minute. We would what?”

“We would buy the Van Cleeves’ apartment. For ourselves. And make it our own.”

Sabrina blinked several times, as it was taking her a minute for her brain to catch up. “Oh, my God. Michael. That’s an amazing idea.” She squeezed his face and planted a kiss on his lips. “We can sell both of our apartments. That will go a long way toward a down payment.” Just like that, she was able to see what it would be like to live in that beautiful space. It would be epic. She might even feel like throwing a party. “It’s so swanky.”

“It’s super swanky.” He laughed quietly. “But it’s also where we had our first kiss. That’s where things really started for us. Which is why I want to take the next step there.”

Sabrina nodded and drew in a deep, happy breath. He was so sweet. He had such a big heart. “That’s so romantic. I love it. I absolutely love the idea.”

“Great. I’m glad.” He smiled, but he didn’t seem one-hundred percent enthused. It was like he was holding back.

“Is something else going on? I don’t think we’re in the right place for Zoe’s necklace.”