A Modern Witch - By Debora Geary Page 0,93

of the building, more shaken than he wanted to admit. More potential than he’d expected, maybe. Just enough to make him really miss working in a competent circle.

There were plenty of witches who lived far away from the major witching centers and did just fine. He could learn to be one of them. He could.

Chapter 23

Lauren handed Nat a folder with listing sheets. “There are three places we can go see this morning, but I think this is the best one, so we’ll check it out first.”

Realtors had to know their pacing. Some clients needed to see a few possibilities before you pulled out your best offering. With people like Nat, you led with your best.

Lauren opened the door to the building. “It’s two floors, with a great reception area already set up on this level. There’s room for a little shop and plenty of space in the back for changing rooms. It’s already piped for plumbing and has bathrooms, so the renovations wouldn’t be too expensive, especially if we negotiate a build-out as part of the lease.”

Nat looked both dazzled and overwhelmed. “It’s huge, Lauren. It would be a lot of work to get it set up right, but the retail space would be perfect. I’ve been thinking about selling yoga gear.”

“I know.”

Nat laughed. “Have I been your guinea pig for mind-witch practice again?”

Not recently, thought Lauren. “No, you’re too easy. I saw the prAna and Gaiam catalogues under the counter at your studio. We realtors are paid to notice details like that.”

Jamie walked in with coffees. “Hey, this is huge. Nat, you could have a store in here.”

Lauren laughed. “You’re late to that party, Jamie. Nat’s already ordering inventory. Let’s go upstairs; that would be the class space.”

Walking up the stairs, she decided you could be cheesy if the client was your best friend. “Nat, close your eyes.” Lauren led her into the center of the room, facing the corner where two walls of windows met. Jamie was already nodding his approval.

“Okay, Nat. See what you think.” She felt the click, the one that meant client and property were in serious like with each other. Not a big surprise—the studio space was gorgeous. Two walls of windows, two of exposed brick, and acres of old, gleaming wood floor.

Nat spun in glee, and then arched into a graceful backbend. Kicking up her feet, she spun around some more in handstand before tumbling down into a giggling heap on the floor.

Lauren elbowed Jamie. He’d forgotten his mental barriers in the pleasure of watching Nat. There were some things that shouldn’t be shared, even if Jamie had a particularly inventive imagination.

Jamie looked more than a little embarrassed, and firmed up his barriers.

Nat managed to sit up and contemplate the room with less exuberance. “It’s awesome, Lauren. Spirit Yoga could really grow here. The rent scares me, though. Do I even want to know what a downtown corner space this big goes for?”

“Probably not. It’s a big, scary number, Nat—but your revenues would increase a lot too, especially if you add on the shop downstairs. And there’s always room to negotiate.”

Nat laughed. “I know it’s really big when you won’t even tell me.”

Jamie waved the listing sheet. “It says they’re interested in selling the building.”

“They are, but I don’t think that’s a concern. It might even help us get a better deal on the rent, since buildings with viable tenants can command a better sales price.”

Jamie wasn’t paying a whole lot of attention. “How much is the building?”

Lauren blinked. She smelled buyer vibe. From Jamie? “I think they’re asking eight million, but I’d have to check.”

Nat had finally tuned in. “Jamie, I can’t afford to buy a building. A small one in the burbs, maybe, but not this one.”

“Enchanter’s Realm could. Nell and I have been talking about needing to invest some of our capital, and this seems like a smart place to put it. Great old building, fantastic location, awesome tenant.” He grinned at Nat. “I could probably arrange you a deal on the rent in exchange for certain favors.”

Lauren figured the look on her face matched the stupefied one on Nat’s. “You guys have enough cash lying around to buy a building in downtown Chicago?”

“Yeah. Our accountant yells at us a lot. This will make her really happy. Lauren, can you arrange for the inspections and permit checks? We’d pay cash, so see what that might do for the price.”

This clearly wasn’t the first commercial real-estate deal Jamie had ever