His chin took on a mulish angle, and I held up a hand to forestall whatever he had to say.

“I get it. My gym is an eyesore and smack in the middle of your plan. You’re trying to gentrify this community and make a buck. There isn’t anything I can do about that. Just like you can’t do anything about me being here.”

Garret grunted. “What’s your point, Morgan?”

“You can either be pissed about it and lurk around on sidewalks, or you can do something constructive.” I held his gaze. “You can sponsor this place.”

At my side, Parker stirred, but she kept quiet.

Garret, on the other hand, snorted long and loud. “You’ve got brass, I’ll give you that. Why the hell would I help you when I want you to sell?”

“Because it will pretty this place up. You can use it as an enticement for all those young professionals you sell to. A world class boxing gym with pro instructors right in the heart of your safe but ‘urban’ community.”

The chair beneath Garret squeaked as he leaned back and steepled his fingers. He stared at me for a moment, then a slow smile spread. “And I suppose the added benefit of you reaping in all those new memberships is, what?”

“A symbiotic relationship in which we both win.”

“I’d win a lot more if I owned the gym outright.”

I simply stared, waiting him out. Parker remained silent, but I could feel her there, my loadstone.

Finally, Garret grinned. “Definite brass.” He stood, and I did as well, accepting his outstretched hand to shake. “Send your proposal over to my office. I’ll have my lawyers look it over.”

He nodded to Parker. “Ms. Brown.”

As soon as he was gone, Parker turned to me. Her smile glowed. “Would it be patronizing if I told you how very proud I am of you right now?”

For years, all I had was my own sense of pride. I never knew how good it would feel to be the recipient of it.

I opened my arms, and she stepped into them. “Just don’t stop being proud of me, all right?”

I could handle anything as long as she was in my corner.

* * *

Parker

One of the reasons I grew to love science and engineering so much was how theories could be proven and knowledge could be gained in this tangible way, uncomplicated by emotion or contradiction.

Life outside of science was messy and definitely contradictory. After Theo died, I wanted nothing but to avoid it.