Ride With Me (Paige and Jace) novel Chapter 174

CHAPTER 104-2

“They do.” He said and Hooked up.

“Really?” I asked and Michael nodded.

“Based on your current performance, the expansion is financially reasonable.” He said and I leaned back.

I had expected him to tell me I was dreaming. Instead, he was telling me the opposite.

“You really think I can do this?” I asked.

“I think you’ve already done the hardest part.” He said.

“What was that?” I asked.

“Building a customer base strong enough to support expansion.” He said and I smiled.

“That feels strange to hear.” I said.

“You’ve got a waiting list.” He said.

“I know.” I said.

“You’ve got repeat customers.” He said.

“I know.” I said.

“And you’ve got a business that people trust.” He said as I looked down at the papers.

That mattered more than the money. Trust had been what I had fought for.

After the newspaper article, I had wondered whether one lie could destroy everything Uncle Will had built.

Instead, the community had shown up. They had come to the open house. They had supported the shop. They had brought their motorcycles back. And now I was sitting in an office discussing buying another building.

Michael closed the folder.

“There is one more thing.” He said and I looked up.

“What?” I asked.

“I spoke with the lender.” He said and my heart jumped.

“And?” I asked.

“They’ve pre-approved the loan.” He said and I stared at him.

“Pre-approved?” I asked.

“Yes.” He said.

I couldn’t speak for a moment and Michael smiled.

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“You’ve got financing available, assuming the final paperwork and property assessment come back as expected. He added and I laughed quietly.

“I don’t believe this.” tsaid.

“You should.” He said as I looked at the documents again.

“Lawson Customs could actually own the building next door.” I said.

“It could.” He said.

I covered my mouth with one hand because I could feel myself smiling.

I had spent so long trying to keep the business alive that the idea of expansion had always felt like something that belonged to someone else.

Now it was sitting in front of me. Real, possible and within reach.

“What happens next?” I asked.

Michael explained the process, and I wrote everything down carefully.

Property assessment. Final loan approval. Contract negotiations. Legal paperwork. Insurance. Then the renovation planning could begin.

I nodded throughout the explanation and when we finished, Michael smiled.

“Congratulations.” He said and I laughed.

“Don’t congratulate me yet.” I said.

“Why not?” He asked.

“Because I haven’t signed anything.” I said.

“But you’re going to.” He said as I looked toward the window.

“Yes. I think I am.” I said.

When I returned to Lawson Customs, Mia was waiting and she looked at my face.

“What happened?” Mia asked and I couldn’t stop smiling.

“The loan is pre-approved.” I said and her eyes widened.

“No.” She said.

“Yes.” I said.

“The loan?” She asked.

“Pre-approved.” I said.

She rushed around the counter and hugged me as I laughed.

“We’re expanding.” She said and Ben came out of the workshop.

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“What’s happening?” Ben asked so Mia turned toward him.

“We’re buying the building next door.” Mia said as Ben stared at me.

“Seriously?” Ben asked and I nodded.

“Seriously.” I said and he smiled.

“That’s incredible.” He said and I looked around the workshop.

“There’s still a lot to do.” I said.

“But it can happen.” He said.

“Yes.” I said and Ben laughed,

“Uncle Will would be proud.” Ben said and my smile softened.

“I hope so.” I said.

The rest of the day passed in a blur.

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I worked on motorcycles, answered calls, helped customers and checked the appointment list, but my mind kept returning to the neighboring building.

I imagined knocking through the wall. I imagined new work bays. I imagined Ben having more space. I imagined Mia having a proper office. I imagined customers walking into a bigger, brighter Lawson Customs.

And for the first time, I wasn’t imagining survival. I was imagining success.

That evening, I returned to the clubhouse, showered, changed into comfortable clothes, and sat with Jace while I told him everything.

He listened with a smile.

“I’m proud of you.” He said and I leaned against him.

“I couldn’t have done this without everyone.” I said.

“You built the business.” He said.

“With help.” I said.

“Still yours.” He said and I smiled.

“I can’t believe the loan is pre-approved.” I said.

“Then believe it.” He said and I laughed.

“You’re very confident.” I said.

“I know you.” He said and I rested my head against his shoulder.

“I want to make it something Uncle Will would be proud of.” I said.

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