Page 97 of The Summer I Destroyed You

She’s so beautiful in the afternoon light. Simply looking at her is enough to make me really understand what it means to want something. To want it desperately.

Some people would say she’s too much work. But what I see is her strength. She’s been through some shit, but she still stands proud. And she’s beautiful, sure, but it’s her strength that makes her so much more than that.

I climb the stairs and tug her against me, letting my mouth find hers.

“You’re ruining my street cred,” she says, but she’s smiling.

“I love you,” I tell her because I want to make sure she’s heard it. And then I slide my fingers through hers and pull her toward the door so she isn’t pressured into saying it back or explaining why she can’t yet. “Let’s do this.”

The ballroom is full by the time we get inside. We find seats near the front and she reaches for my hand again. I can feel her anxiety echoing through my fingers.

I laugh quietly. “Why are you nervous, babe? I’ve never seen anyone cover their bases as thoroughly as you have. It would take a fucking earthquake to make this fall through, and actually…an earthquake would help your case, because this building would definitely cave in.”

Her smile is tired and strained. “I think you’d be surprised by how fast things like this can go off the rails.”

The minutes are read. Em’s proposal and mine are mentioned, and the secretary clears her throat. “Actually, the offer made by Long Point Construction has been rescinded. Therefore, the only offer on the table is the one made by Inspired Building. If there are no objections, we can take it to a vote now. Miss Hughes, would you like to say anything before we begin?”

I glance at Emmy, expecting another presentation, this time with fireworks or cash shooting out of a cannon. But instead, she’s looking toward the door where Harrison, of all people, is striding in. Her face relaxes at last. That hand clenching mine still holds on but less tightly.

He walks to the front of the room. “My name is Harrison Reid,” he says. I suddenly remember why we called him Hollywood as a teen—because he’s got old-time movie-star looks and commands a room like guys on TV do, all square-jawed and self-assured. “I’m an attorney with Baker Karlsson, here on behalf of a client who wishes to remain anonymous at the present time. Before I begin, however, I should mention that there were some flaws in the inspection report, and I have an injunction from the California Department of Planning which states that, due to the building’s potential historic significance, it can’t be torn down until the matter has been adjudicated—a decision that could take some time. I also have in hand a competing offer made by my client, which involves no destruction of the building whatsoever. If I may?” he asks the council members, pulling out his laptop.

The mayor’s brow furrows in irritation as he glances at the rest of the council. He sighs in exasperation. “I suppose. Go ahead.”

On the screen, a photo of Lucas Hall appears in black and white from another century. “There were a number of flaws in the initial report about Lucas Hall’s structural integrity. It is my very strong belief that once those flaws have been addressed, any plans that involve the building’s removal will prove impossible due to the historic nature of the building.” Harrison pauses, looking from the council to the audience with a brow raised. “My client is proposing that Lucas Hall become a resort instead, which would meet the state’s preservation requirements while bringing a new tourist base to Elliott Springs. My client has proposed devoting the halls and lobby to the history of the town—a strategy that has been implemented with great success in other hotels around the world.” Pictures begin to flash up on the screen of other hotels. It has all the slickness of one of Emmy’s presentations but is diametrically opposed to what she wants. And then there’s an image I recognize. It’s the goddamn plans I had drawn up for the hotel.

“What the fuck,” I hiss under my breath to Emmy. “That’s my fucking plan.”

“It’s you,” she says quietly. My head jerks toward her. “You’re the anonymous buyer if you want to be, with the backing of two investors.”

For a moment, I’m too astonished to speak. “I can’t buy Lucas Hall, Em,” I say at last. “I don’t have the money, and the bank turned me down.”

She swallows. “I took care of it, I believe.” She checks her phone and then glances over her shoulder as a girl I’ve never laid eyes on before rushes forward and hands a file to Harrison.

He flips it open, nods, and then walks forward to the town council. “Here’s what we’re willing to offer.”

What the hell is happening right now? Is the council actually looking over a financial offer made on my behalf without me even knowing what it is?

“There’s no way this is legal,” I tell her.

She laughs low, under her breath. “It’s…mostly legal. Don’t worry. I’m the only one breaking some laws.”

“Miss Hughes,” says the mayor, “I assume you’ll be fighting these motions?”

She smooths her skirt as she stands. “This is all a shock to me, Mr. Mayor. If there actually is an injunction, as Mr. Reid claims, Inspired Building will need to reassess the situation, as court battles of this sort tend to drag on far longer than is financially viable.”

If the mayor cared about Elliott Springs a fraction of the way I do, he’d see a resort is the best solution for the town—a middle ground that reenergizes our commercial base without destroying our history. It says everything about him that he’s absolutely crestfallen instead. He just wanted his fucking park and the clout that comes with leading a mid-size city.

He accepts the package from Harrison with a scowl and announces the meeting will need to be postponed. Harrison turns toward the door, giving Emmy a wink as he goes.

“What the hell is happening here? Why is my friend, who you don’t even know, winking at you, and how the hell could you have gotten me a loan without involving me?”

“I called Harrison yesterday,” she says, “and got him to help secure the injunction. And then I flew to LA to talk to a potential investor, and he agreed.”

“Who agreed?”

Her gaze grows a trifle wary. “Damien Ellis. I can lend you or get you enough cash upfront so that you’ll own more than fifty percent. Ellis has agreed to put up the rest.”

My shock gives way to something that feels a lot like…jealousy. Last night, when I thought she was off at work, she was in LA with a guy who definitely was hoping to fuck her. “What exactly did you have to offer Damien Ellis to make that happen?”

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