Yun shot the look right back. “Not a hundred percent, but you did say you’d broached the concept with Dr. Washington again and thought you’d made some headway. I’ve known you for nearly five years. That’s as close to a yes as you get without a considerable amount of poking and prodding.” Yun closed a hand over one side of her mouth and whispered to Olivia. “Just a hint for you, Olivia.” Louder, she added, “Besides, once it sinks in what it could mean to open a business together right next door to this incredible place, you’re going to be on board. I know it.”

“You’ve seen inside?”

“We came at lunch. And it’s the twenty-third property Ava and I’ve looked at. I’ve got a good base with which to measure it.”

Gabe looked at Olivia. “Did you know this?”

“Not until I pulled up. I think my sister was going for the surprise factor.”

Gabe gave a conciliatory shrug. “So are we just scoping out the side yard, or is there any chance you made a second appointment?”

“We’ve got an appointment,” Ava said, “and fair warning, the owner’s going to be there because he isn’t comfortable not being there to guard his merchandise while potential buyers are in his store. Despite a security system.” She cocked her head. “Which gives us a fresh opportunity to show him we can play hardball. So do your best to keep that skeptical look slapped on a little longer.”

Yun stepped forward and poked him in the chest good-naturedly. “Ava’s not kidding. He may have spotted me dancing in the parking lot after we left earlier. So give us your crankiest, most skeptical, this’ll-never-work Gabe vibe. Even when you realize how perfect it is.”

Gabe held up his hands in mock surrender and turned to Olivia. “Have I mentioned that Yun has a flair for the dramatic?”

Olivia clasped a hand over her chest, laughing, and this time her laughter reached her eyes, which sent a wave of happiness through him. “I’m not weighing in on this. Besides, she already had me at hello with a location that’s next door to the shelter.”

As they headed back into the parking lot, they caught the attention of Patrick, who was almost to his truck, keys in hand. Although he said nothing, he gave them a dubious look.

“We’re on a mission to check out the jewelry store,” Gabe offered.

Patrick looked from Gabe to Olivia and nodded. “The sidewalk would be an easier walking route.”

“Yeah, it seems so.”

At this point, it seemed premature to say anything more about their purpose for visiting the store, so Gabe let it drop. If Patrick thought he was in the market to buy Olivia some jewelry, it was fine with him—certainly less complicated than starting premature rumors about the possibility of relocating his office next door.