Fabric samples spilled across the floor.
She screamed with delight.
Jake looked at Sophia with something deeper than attraction now.
She saw it.
It frightened her slightly.
Because she felt something similar.
The afternoon became easy.
Too easy.
Sophia taught the girl how designers use draping.
Jake repaired the SUV downstairs.
They ate leftover Christmas cookies.
The girl insisted Sophia model a scarf made from three different fabric strips tied together.
Sophia did.
Jake took a picture.
Sophia threatened him if it ever appeared online.
He claimed blackmail rights.
By five o'clock, the little girl had moved from Sophia's side to her lap without asking.
Sophia let her.
Jake stood in the kitchen doorway watching them.
His expression softened in a way Sophia had never seen.
She looked at him.
Their eyes met.
The connection shifted again.
This was no longer just flirtation.
That should have been wonderful.
Instead, the problem arrived through a child’s innocent sentence.
The girl was drawing the front of the garage.
Sophia pointed.
“You should add a bigger sign.”
Jake laughed.
“Don’t encourage her.”
The girl frowned.
“It might not matter anyway.”
Sophia looked down.
“Why?”
“Because Daddy says fancy people want our building.”
Jake stopped moving.
“Sweetheart.”
The girl looked confused.
“What?”
Sophia felt something cold move through her stomach.
“What building?”
Jake set down his mug.
“Sophia, it's nothing.”
She looked at him.
“What building?”
Jake sighed.
“This property.”
“The whole block might be sold.”
Sophia's face changed.
“What street?”
Jake hesitated.
“Market.”
The room disappeared around her.
Market Street.
She stared at him.
“What number?”
He told her.
Sophia stopped breathing properly.
She knew the number.
She had stared at it for weeks.
Her company’s acquisition proposal covered the entire site.
The flagship store.
Production wing.
Executive offices.
Retail floors.
The project that could save two hundred employees.
The project her team intended to demolish the existing building for.
Jake's garage.
His apartment.
His daughter's home.
Sophia slowly stood.
The girl slid from her lap.
Jake noticed.
“What?”
Sophia's phone buzzed.
Perfect timing.
Her CFO.
Board meeting moved up. Need final approval on Market Street acquisition Monday. Seller ready.
Sophia stared.
Jake stepped closer.
“You okay?”
She put the phone away.
“Yes.”
It sounded false even to her.
“Sophia.”
“I forgot something.”
“What?”
“Work.”
Jake frowned.
“On Christmas?”
“I need to go.”
The little girl's face fell.
“But we were making dresses.”
Sophia looked at her.