Page 53 of My Small Town Silver Fox Billionaire

I turn around, pissed as can be, and walk out the door. I’m about to close it when Maria speaks.

“There’s something I need to talk to you about, Robert.”

I look back at her. “I shouldn’t even be humoring you.”

“Yeah, you say that, and yet, here you are, turning your head like the little puppy you are the moment I talk to you.”

“What do you need? This better be important.”

She reaches for something in her bag and hands it to me. I look at the papers, brows furrowing as I stare at this.

“The hell is this?”

“It’s a contract from my boss. I actually work with Andrew Williams. You know, one of your trading partners. Listen, I know this isn’t ideal, Robert, but he wanted me to go over the contents with you.”

I purse my lips. This is a legitimate offer. Andrew and I planned to touch on this later on. I clench the papers a little bit tighter and sigh.

“What does he want?”

“Just for you to listen. Nothing that deep, Robert.”

I give the paper back and fold my arms. “Well, let’s talk shop.”

Maria looks up at the clock and then smiles. “Wouldn’t it be better to talk somewhere a little more impersonal?”

“Why does that matter?”

“You know how it is. It’s neutral ground, and of course, once we talk, we can come to an agreement together. Don’t you see the importance?”

I grimace at her words. Maria has a lot of nerve showing up here. But Andrew Williams is a longtime colleague of mine. I sigh and then shake my head.

“Fine, whatever.”

“I know it’s been a while, Robert. But I have my reasons for coming.”

“I’m sure you do.”

“It’s just for a while. Once we’re done, I’ll be out of your hair.”

“I’m sure you will,” I mutter. I doubt it, but I’m not going to fight. Andrew Williams is a huge contractor in our business,and I need to talk with him about future deals, even if it means associating with the one person I never wanted to see again.

We walk out, and Maria looks to her right and points in that direction. “Let’s go there. I know of a great café where we can discuss the details.”

“Wait, a café?”

“Yes! You want to sit down and talk, right?”

About business, sure. I’d prefer to do it in my office, but given the nature of the situation, I doubt that’ll happen.Maria was and is nothing but trouble and I am pretty sure this is not going to end well.

“Yeah, sure. Let’s get this over with.”

Maria reaches for my arm and clings to it. I pull it away, disgusted.

“What are you doing?”

“I just wanted things to be like old times. You miss that too, don’t you?”

“I miss it like I miss a tooth ache,” is my retort.

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