“Is that a yes?” I tapped my right foot on the vinyl flooring.

His gaze dropped to my phone. “Oh, right. Sure, go ahead.”

I opened my notebook and leaned forward, anxious to get started. Finally.

Across from me, Finn smirked.

I groaned. “Please wipe the smug look off your face. You got me. Good on you!”

“I didn’t say anything.” His eyes widened with feigned and mocking innocence.

I rolled mine. “Not with words, anyway. Can we please get down to business?” I didn’t wait for his response before turning on the recorder app on my phone and asking my first question.

To his credit, Finn was generous and thorough with his answers. I learned that once completed, the lobby of the twenty-five-floor luxury complex would house a coffee shop, fitness center, restaurant/bar, pharmacy, dry cleaning and laundry valet, and bank. Access to the stores inside the building would be open to the entire town and general public, but owners and tenants of the condo/rental complex would have priority or receive special discounts in some cases. My mind wandered to my new friend Monica. She wouldn’t have to travel to Newburgh for her early-morning gym fix anymore. And Jennifer would have a new watering hole to meet available, single women.

“How does Mr. Hanes expect to fill such a big building? Isn’t it a huge financial risk to think he can grow the town’s population by more than fifty percent with one complex?”

“Mr. Hanes didn’t make his money because he was afraid of risks. He also didn’t earn his impressive reputation taking stupid ones. We did surveys and polls to gauge the average suburban dweller’s interest in living in a place like The Hollows. All evidence supports the development.” He leaned back in his chair with his hands clasped behind his head.

Fair enough. With effort, I tore my eyes away from his triceps, which were straining against his dark gray Henley. “I read that you hope to attract young couples and singles who work in Manhattan but can’t afford the cost of living in Westchester, Rockland, or Long Island. My door-to-door commute here from the city was almost two hours, and I had to take an Uber from Newburgh because of the limited direct bus access to Pleasant Hollow. How do you expect folks to do that every day—twice? And will the benefit be worth the inconvenience?” I’ll see your risk assessment and raise you transportation inconvenience.