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Before I can object, he ends the call, leaving me swearing under my breath. Sometimes I wonder if he even considers how hard my job can be. He acts like he can snap his fingers and poof! I can make deals happen.
The Bellamy brand doesn’t care about the heart of a place. They just want to make the biggest buck. I hear Meg’s voice echo in my head. The more I try (and fail) to work with my brother, the more I realize she’s right.
Troy doesn’t care that this inn is tied to a family legacy and a community. All he cares about is convincing the right people to sign a contract. He didn’t so much as ask how old the granddaughters were, just said that they needed convincing. He didn’t care why the owner would want his family’s input on the deal.
Has my brother really turned into the icy executive that I see and frankly loathe in myself? Is there anything else left of him? If I walk down that path, will there be anything else left of me?
The more I struggle with this, the more I realize that I need to find a way to reconcile my personal desires with my professional obligations. I want Meg more than I want this stupid buyout, because not only is it coming between us, but it’s making it hard to work with my own family.
This whole visit was just supposed to be a research trip into buying a sleepy inn on the beach, nothing more. Instead, it’s turned into my worst nightmare: not only struggling to close a deal but falling for the perfect girl in the process and hurting her at the same time.
How the hell am I going to make this right?
Chapter twenty-seven
Meg - Hope May be Possible
My resolve to resist Drew’s advances is failing miserably as I spend more time with him. I realize that he is not as heartless in business as I initially thought, and I get glimpses of his caring side when we’re alone.
I am definitely grappling with conflicting emotions, torn between my love for my sister and our home, and my growing feelings for Drew.
It’s especially difficult when we agree to meet in secret like a couple of teenagers. Difficult, but necessary. Mia can’t hide what she’s thinking to save her life.
Anytime she sees Drew so much as attempt to talk to me, she shoots him icy dagger eyes that make it clear she would never understand my continuing to see him.
Despite the tension, I let him pull me back in so easily when he finds me and walks with me during one of my morning dog walks.
“I’m beginning to think your sister wants to kill me,” he says, as he walks beside me, his hands tucked into his pockets. “If looks could kill, I’d be dead ten times over. Maybe more.”
“She’s very protective of her little sister,” I start. “And…she wouldn’t be the only employee at the inn to consider it lately,” I point out. Several maids and a few cooks seem more on edge the longer Drew stays.
“I hope present company is excluded,” he says, giving a hopeful grin.
“Don’t push it,” I smirk. “You’re just lucky you’re kind of cute.”
“Considering the situation, I’ll take it,” he replies.
“You seem a lot perkier lately,” I mention. I can see that he doesn’t seem as stressed. His brow isn’t pressed with worry and his shoulders have dropped rather than staying close to his ears.
“I think I might have come up with something that can make everyone happy,” he says with a grin.
“What do you mean?”
“I think I found a way that my family can be involved in the inn without any of the negative changes that come with a buyout.”
I blink at him. Is this a trick? But he looks so much happier. “What…way?”
He whispers the plan in my ear like it’s the biggest kept secret of his life.
My eyes widen with hope and enthusiasm as he keeps talking. The more he explains the plan, the happier my smile gets. This could actually work!
“That’s perfect, Drew!” I nearly squeal—but my smile quickly fades. “But do you think your family will go for it?”
“I have no idea,” Drew admits. “That’s another reason I wanted to take you out tonight. I have to fly back to New York in the morning and meet with them. I’ll pitch the idea and if they like it, I’ll be flying back here to close the deal with your grandfather.”
“And if not?” I ask, bracing myself for the worst outcome.
“They’ll get on board. They have to,” he reassures.
