Page 37 of The Spare | AllFreeNovel

I open the sheet of paper in the journal I’ve spent all morning scribbling on between patient appointments. “First,” I begin, trying to keep my voice steady, “this is a business contract. I’m doing this for Pop. So whatever capital is unlocked from your grandfather’s trust stays tied to Sutter Creek and the estate. I want zero financial interest in your family’s money, and I will sign whatever waives my rights to it upon dissolution.”

The line is so quiet I pull the phone away from my face momentarily, wondering if somehow it’s dropped the call.

“Alexis, I appreciate that, but you’re entitled to be compensated for doing this,” Sam says before the phone becomes quiet again.

“No. This is important to me. I won’t profit off of your grandfather. He meant too much to me. And I hope you’ll agree that every dime you receive gets put into the vineyard. No vacations or fancy cars.”

“Jeez, of course,” he blurts, a little more of the ire I’m accustomed to is back. “Is there any way we can meet in person to discuss this? I don’t like doing this over the phone.”

Is he worried I could be recording the conversation to use this against him? He couldn’t possibly think I’d consider something that evil. But then again, there’s been nothing but hate between us for decades. We simply don’t know each other anymore.

Not that we ever did.

“Is that really necessary? I have a very busy schedule.”

He’s quiet for a beat. “If you really can’t find a way to meet, we can continue this over the phone. But I’d really prefer to do this face to face.”

I bite my lower lip. Can I stay focused on my list of demands if his handsome mug is across the table from me? It’s an unfair advantage, and he probably knows it. “I have an hour free for lunch, but I have appointments before and after.”

“What time is lunch? I’ll bring food to your office so we can speak in private.”

My initial response is that this is thoughtful. Then the woman who has spent the better part of the last twenty years hating him can’t help but suspect there’s more to it.

“This way your colleagues can start seeing us together.”

And there it is.

You need to remind yourself of this feeling every single time you start to fall for any of his bullshit, Alexis. No imagining waking each morning to share coffee over the news. He’ll never be mine. Like, ever. There will be no confessions of his undying love for me. No promises of forever. This is a means to an end for him. Nothing more.

“Fine. I’ll see you at 1:00.”

Bzzz.

Reaching for my phone, I blink at the texts. I’m so overwhelmed by my day already that I’m somehow completely detached from my usual morning routine. Am I about to make the biggest mistake of my life? Because once I do this, there’s no turning back.