Page 11 of Claimed By my Frenemy

The sight on the other side leaves me speechless.

6

THEO

Mia opens the door,but she doesn’t open it as widely as she did two days ago. In fact, she’s blocking most of the empty space with her body like I might try to push my way in. I wonder if she’s thought about the kiss at the tiki bar as much as I have, but then I push the thought away.

She clearly did it for her friends, not for herself, and she doesn’t feel the same attraction toward me that I feel toward her.

“What are you doing here?” she asks. She doesn’t sound nearly as confrontational as yesterday at the tiki bar, but she’s still not welcoming me with open arms. Who am I kidding, though? I knew that wasn’t going to happen.

“I thought we could talk through things in a little more detail. I’ve got a new proposal for you, but I’d like to walk you through what it includes.”

“And if I don’t want to hear it?”

“I think anyone with a business head on their shoulders would want to hear my offer.” I cringe as soon as I say it. That was rude, and I know it. Sometimes, things just pop out of my mouth, and I can’t seem to stop them.

Mia narrows her eyes at me, then glances at the folder I’m carrying in my hands. I’ve spent all morning pulling together these numbers, and it’s the best offer she would ever get for this property. Her jaw is going to drop when she sees it.

“Fine, you can show me what you have.”

I nod behind her. “Can I come in to show you? This will be easier if I can spread my papers out.”

Mia glances behind herself and purses her lips. I remember that habit from when we were teens—her thinking face.

She steps aside reluctantly, allowing me to enter. The house smells faintly like some sort of cleaning product. I wonder how dusty the place must have been when Mia arrived. I haven’t seen anyone come and go in the last year I’ve owned the property beside hers.

I glance around, noting the dated wallpaper and the worn furniture. It has a cozy, lived-in feel, but it’s clear it hasn’t been updated in years. It feels like just what it was—someone’s grandmother’s home. I don’t see how Mia would be able to get back any money she would invest in a place like this because the bones just aren’t strong enough after weathering all the storms we get here.

“Let’s do this in the dining room,” she says, leading me through the small entryway.

I follow her, trying not to judge the place too harshly. If I allow myself to get annoyed by the place, then it will come through in my tone. And I need to stay focused on my purpose for being here. The dining room has an old oak table, the kind that’s built to last but could use a good polish. I lay out my papers, spreading them across the table.

Mia sits, but I don’t. She looks up at me from the chair, and I realize the difference in height is going to be a problem. Slowly, I sink into one of the straight-backed chairs. I sit on the edge, eager to get this moving in the right direction.

“Okay, Mia, here’s what I’m proposing.” I pull out the printouts of other properties for sale in the area, laying them next to my offer.

Mia curiously grabs the papers from me and scans the numbers. She’s smart enough to know what she’s looking at, so I give her a moment to evaluate. When she looks up, I see a determination in her eyes. “Why are you showing me these?”

“This is the market value of your property compared to others. You can see how much this house just over on Fairway Street has sold for. It has similar square footage and age to your property, so you can assume that your property would receive a similar price if you were to sell it. I’m offering you above market value—way above. Look at this number.” I point to the bold figure at the bottom of the sheet. Her eyes widen slightly, but she quickly masks her reaction.

“It’s a generous offer, but…this place isn’t just about money for me. It’s about my grandmother’s legacy. I grew up here during the summers. I was barely at my parents’ place at all. I mean, I’ve given up everything. If I sell the house, where would I live?”

I sigh, trying to keep my frustration in check. How can she look at that number and say no like that? She’s not even considering it. “Mia, I get it. I really do. But this place... It’s going to take so much work to turn it into a livable place. And it’s too big for one person to live in. Are you planning to take on roommates to continue to pay the mortgage?”

“I’m not going to just live here. I’m going to run a bed and breakfast.”

My eyebrows rise slightly as I take in this new information. Mia isn’t thinking of it as a personal property at all but as a business opportunity. Maybe she’s more business-minded than I thought. This idea of hers hasn’t played into my calculations and projections, but I don’t think it will make a difference. “Howmuch will you need to put into renovations? How long will it take you to get it back? Tourist season starts in a couple of weeks and ends in September. The rest of the year can have guests here and there, but you wouldn’t be packed. Is that something you’re prepared for?”

Mia narrows her eyes. “I don’t need you telling me what I will and will not earn. In fact, I don’t remember asking you to come over here and run numbers with me.” She crosses her eyes and leans back in her chair.

“I’m just saying. I’ll be right next door. I’ll have all the modern amenities, and it might be difficult to attract the guests you’re hoping for if you’re not able to provide those.”

She crosses her arms, her expression hardening. “Are you saying I can’t do it?”

“No, I’m saying it’s going to be a tough road. I’ve got the resources to make something great here, something that will benefit the whole community.”

“And you think your fancy resort is what this community needs?” Her voice rises, and I can see the fire in her eyes.

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