AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“They do, sort of, but not really. All they know is I was given a lump payment. They aren’t aware of the nitty-gritty details surrounding the circumstances.” I wasn’t proud of that, but I was a grown adult and for the most part, I was doing the best I could. “Vera and I will never have to worry about him ever again.”
“But why did you continue to keep going after me? That’s what I don’t understand. Yes, I caused a cascade of events to happen, but you got the…” He grimaced. “Settlement from him, so the money wasn’t a factor.”
“The money came after the fact. Many months afterward.”
However, no reason could explain my constant barrage of negative reviews. In my life of uncertainty, it was the only thing I could control, and really, even that was an illusion.
“I’m so sorry.” I hung my head as my shattering heart, under the deepest pressure, threatened to blow apart. “I know it doesn’t make up for it, but I’m trying to clean up the damage I caused. Just please, tell me what I can do.”
Rising, he rifled through a neatly stacked pile of folders, pulling out one with an orange tab sticking out as he sat back in his chair. “Well, as disgusted as I was to learn it was you with a vendetta against my company, I did some research.”
I curled my hands into tight little fists and held my breath.
“Your attacks, unfortunately for your goal, did not affect my sales.” He leaned back, his shoulders relaxing. “I compared sales from the year previous and the year following. They were within normal accepted ranges.”
My breath whooshed out in one fell swoop and hot tears blurred my view. “I can’t tell you how happy I am to hear that. Now. Especially since I’ve met you and taken a liking to you.”
A small curve turned his lips upward and a sparkle returned to his eyes. “And I suppose I should thank you.”
“How come? What for?” I swiped at the fallen tears.
“I now keep the cleanest kitchen in all Cheshire Bay, and my annual inspections are A+, and surprise inspections pass with flying colours. I run a tight ship, but everyone is happy.”
“Then it’s a good thing you’re a micromanager.”
“Thank you.” His smile deepened, and he twisted to the side, putting his leg atop his knee. “It is good to be in total control.”
“And now? We’re good?” I hesitated as an idea popped into my head. A way to fully make things better, or at least try.
“Business wise, I think we’ve reached an agreement. You accept the cash for the full payment of the mural, which I can’t wait to see all put together, and drop the other negative reviews, and I think that yes, we’ll be fine on that end.” He lifted the heavy envelope and placed it in my hand. “Please, take it. Don’t make me give it to your sister to give to you.” There was a glint in his eye.
“Personally? What happens between us now?” I dropped my gaze, not wanting to see rejection. Hearing it was going to be hard enough.
“I’m not sure. You were one to tell me trust was earned, not freely given.”
This speech I was prepared for. “Taking out the business aspect of our relationship, and not knowing really who the other was back then, if we base things on how things have been progressing over the past few weeks, what would you say happens now?”
He shook his head and dropped his leg, squaring up his shoulders. “Honestly, I don’t know. I like you, I really do, and I like your daughter.”
My hand flashed up, putting a stop to what was heading my way. The wordbutwas coming like a red-hot knife, ready to wound.
“Before you tell me it’ll never happen, can you have lunch with me?”
He narrowed his eyes and casually glanced at his watch. “I don’t know, Erin, I really don’t know.”
“Please. Like a date. Like we’re starting over.” An idea splashed across my brain, the details emerging at lightning speed.
He hesitated, and I took that as a positive sign.
“Give me five minutes, and meet me downstairs?”
Chapter Twenty-Two
I zipped down the office stairs, through the kitchen, and headed over to the hostess, telling her what I wanted to do. Then I ran to the bathroom, freshened up, and made myself more presentable before walking back to the hostess and greeting her once again.
She led me to the patio overlooking the bay.
“This isn’t opened back up to the public yet, so you’ll have some privacy, and it’s one of Mr. Dean’s favourite places to sit.”
