Page 110 of Taming the CEO

"They're very decent people," I said coldly. It bothered me that he was forming his opinion based on one or two meetings. Maybe it was an ego thing—he didn’t like people who had more wealth than him.

"They believe they're God’s gift to the earth and that they can solve everything with money. I mean... clearly, it’s worked.” He scoffed.

I was right. He was jealous.

I blinked at him and asked, "What are you talking about?"

"Last I knew, you were against the sale.”

"I've changed my mind. Dad’s ready to retire, and I want to go into business by myself, so what's the problem?"

He shook his head. "Nothing. Just don't much like outsiders coming to Essex and buying our land."

"Isn't your family originally from New York? They moved here and bought up half the town, if I remember correctly." I was truly fighting to keep my voice even.

"That's different," he said. “We’re locals now.”

I cleared my throat before taking a bite of the burger. Starting a fight with my future landlord was a shitty idea. After a few mouthfuls, I was starting to feel much better. Maybe I was getting angry so fast because I was hungry.

"You do know they plan to knock down most of those trees, right?" he asked. His voice was belligerent.

Nope, I wasn't angry because I was hungry. The guy was just pushing my buttons. I knew I should just ignore him, but I couldn't let it go unchecked.

"They’ll draw up new plans and save as many trees as possible."

"You really believe that?"

"Yes, I do!" The man could be such an ass.

I needed this dinner to be over. Why had I even agreed to it? I'd forgotten how pushy and arrogant he could be. So what if he was my landlord? I'd just wire the money into his account every month, and that would be it. I didn't need to be friends with him.

I focused on my cheeseburger, eating slowly, munching on my fries every so often.

When I was almost done, my phone lit up with a message.

Maddox: You’re still at Miss Patty’s?

Cami: Yes.

Not two minutes later, Maddox walked in, joining us.

Thank fuck. I had no desire to continue being alone with Bill.

"Cami, good evening," he said in a tight voice, looking from me to Bill.

"Maddox Whitley," Bill said, jumping to his feet. "Nice to see you again."

"Likewise," Maddox said, but his eyes didn't mirror his words.

"Cami here just told me that you managed to wear her down about the sale of the park."

Maddox narrowed his eyes. "I didn't wear her down. She simply considered it a good offer."

"Well, between you and me, she does like to play hard to get. I mean, it's taken me, what? Eight years to get her to agree to go to dinner with me."

My jaw dropped as I stood up. I wasn’t going to let that remark slip by.

"What the hell?" I snapped.

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