Preserving Love: A Contemporary Romance Series (Nick & Lexi Book 2) Read Online Free PDF Page A

one of the Commission members. A task I had grown accustomed to over the years.  

    *****

Chapter 6
    Evan
    “Evan,” I heard Brad’s voice before I even realized he was in my doorway. “Got a minute?”  
    Why’d they always think they needed to ask that? It wasn’t like I could say no. Everyone damned well knew that if they wanted to talk to me, I had no choice but to listen.  
    “Sure, Brad,” I gestured for him to come inside though I’d have rather he not and I could finish and maybe have five minutes of a damned life. “What’s up?”
    “We just need you to sign off on the request for the HRC,” he threw a stack of papers onto my desk and sat his cocky ass in the chair. “I need to run them down there before they close.”
    “Why me?” No one had told me that I needed to be the one to sign. Shit, I’d been the one to argue the idea. Why would I sign for it?
    “It’s your deal, man,” he slung his arm towards the papers. “So sign ‘em and I’ll let ya be.”
    “My deal was to help get the condo design ready. My deal was to even help with the HRC shit since I’ve been through it before. My deal didn’t include a petition to speed up the process or a fight with the Preservation Society.” I pushed the papers towards him. “Sign em your damn self.”
    As soon as I’d heard their half assed plan I’d been pissed. I hadn’t agreed to the bullshit they were trying to do. Apparently the higher ups had decided to use the Society’s desire to battle and their overwhelming community support against them. They were argue an unfair battle if the decision was held off. Hell Brad had even researched enough to find things that backed up his request. Laws and bylaws written into the HRC long before any of the current members had taken residence on it.
    To say it was harmful to me was a fucking understatement. Lexi and I were both so caught up in this shit we barely even got a chance to talk. And we’d agreed not to discuss business. But what the hell was she going to do when she found out about this one?  
    “It’s your deal man,” Brad pushed the papers. “We need you to sign.”
    This had turned into a bigger mess than I’d have thought. Had I known, I would have refused to be a part of it. Maybe. It was my dream. I didn’t understand why it had to be so hard on me though. Why couldn’t I have a dream come true without it tearing the others apart? Lexi didn’t seem to get it.  
    Her shit was volunteer. Something she loved but didn’t have to do. Mine was a need. This was who I was. Hell her negativity and worry was starting to rub off on me.  
    “Unless there’s a problem…” Brad suggested, knowing I’d fight that idea off.  
    “Why would there be a problem?” I grabbed the papers and tried to avoid reading as I signed. “I just don’t see why I have to deal with the nonsense when I have plans to work on.”
    “I just thought maybe your girlfriend didn’t approve,” he threw in, knowing it would only add fuel to the fire.  
    “My girlfriend doesn’t make my decisions for me,” I answered him, knowing that she wouldn’t approve in any way. “Anything else Brad,” I asked quickly and with irritation, “I’m busy.”
    “That’s it boss,” he laughed. “Thanks.”
    I sat staring at the papers on my desk and wondering what had happened. When the company had called me about building my condo they’d been eager to work with the design I’d made. They were willing to jump through hoops with the HRC to be able to see it come to light.  
    The past couple of months had shown that to be very different from where things were standing. Not only were they trying to fight for a quick decision, and using the Society as their ammunition for a win, they were completely fucking with the design that I’d created.  
    Sure they’d kept some of the basics, but they had ideas that they wanted added and things they’d like to take off. In fact, I spent so much time reworking my