Page 48 of Claimed By my Frenemy

I open the envelope and scan the document. The number is, indeed, much higher than any of Theo’s previous offers, but there’s something about Steve’s demeanor that feels off, almost like a threat.

He’s standing just inside the doorway even though I don’t remember telling him to come inside. He leans forward eagerly and nods at me as though willing me to accept it.

“I’ve already told Theo I’m not interested in selling,” I say, handing the envelope back to him.

Steve’s tone becomes colder. “I strongly advise you to reconsider. This is the best offer you’re going to get. If you refuse, things might get…complicated.”

I feel a surge of anger. “Is that a threat? Because you don’t want to start threatening me. I know my rights.”

Steve smooths his hair back even though it doesn’t need any smoothing. The gel is holding it perfectly in place. He holds his hands up in a show of innocence. “I would never threaten anyone. I’m just letting you know the facts.”

“The facts are that this ismyproperty, unless you want to try to claim you’re some long-lost relative of my grandmother’s and you should have been included in the will.” I laugh aloud at theridiculousness of the idea. “Let me tell you a fact, even though you probably don’t want to hear it. You should have secured the property you wantedbeforeyou started building. You shouldn’t have started building a resort that needs more space when you don’thavemore space.”

Steve’s face changes. He’s no longer smiling that slippery smile that bordered on flirtatiousness. He’s now serious. Still suave, but serious. “Theo is very determined to see this project through. He’s a good man, but he understands the importance of business. It’s better for everyone if you agree to the sale.”

I can’t believe Theo would send his partner to do his dirty work. I can’t trust Theo, even though he said he and his partner don’t agree about the property. How well do I really know him after all these years? The betrayal stings more than I care to admit. “You can tell Theo that I’m not interested in his offer. I’m not interested inyouroffer. In fact, I’d like you to leave my property now.”

But Steve doesn’t back up. He doesn’t disappear back through the door. He continues to stand there, and that only angers me even more.

“Do I need to speak more slowly so you can understand?” I ask, barely keeping my anger in check.

“I understood you perfectly. I’m just not sure that you understoodme.” Steve’s voice has gotten lower, and I don’t want to admit it, but I feel a little intimidated.

“I understood you, but I’m not accepting your offer. People are allowed to refuse, you know. Just because you have money doesn’t mean everyone else has to fall in line and do exactly what you want them to do. Offer me five million next time. Ten million, even. I’m not going to accept.”

I look over my shoulder at the homey space I’ve made of the living room. Steve isn’t a person who would understand. I can’t even try to explain to him what restoring this place means to me.A home—a place where I can make other people feel at home. But Steve only sees dollar signs. And Theo, too.

I can’tbelievehe sent Steve over here after telling me that he was dropping the idea. He was even willing to put the project on hold while they figured things out. I madeloveto him. I opened up to him.

And now this? It feels like betrayal of the highest order.

“Perhaps you don’t have a financial advisor who can help you with these choices. I’d be happy to recommend you one. He can help you work through options and what you could do with this sort of money.” Steve wiggles the envelope again like he thinks I might be tempted to take it.

“No, no, and no. I don’t want anything from you. I don’t want your financial advisor friends, or your money, or anything to do with the resort. Now, get off my property, or I’m going to call the police.”

Steve finally understands that I’m being serious. He steps back over the threshold, onto the porch. I don’t want him to say anything else.

I close the door in Steve’s face, my hands shaking with fury. How dare Theo try to intimidate me like this?

I pace back and forth on my side of the door as I listen for Steve’s footsteps to move away. Howdarehe? I’m absolutely furious, and even though I know I should give myself a chance to cool down first, my feet are heading in the direction of Theo’s resort before five minutes have passed.

I can’t let this go. I have to confront him.

24

THEO

I’m workingon paying invoices for the contractors we’ve got working for us when I glance out the window. My window looks out over the open space where Building B will be. Because only the foundation of the building is there right now, I have a perfect view of the sidewalk.

And what I see makes my heart jumpstart into overdrive.

Mia is marching down the sidewalk. Her hands are balled into fists, and her chin is lowered almost to her chest. Clearly, something has upset her.

I slowly stand, pressing my face against the glass as she moves farther down the sidewalk and out of my view. It looks like she’s coming over here, so I leave my desk and head out into the lobby area.

A moment later, Mia bursts into the resort, her hand pushing open the glass door like some sort of battering ram.

“Whoa! What’s going on?” I ask, expecting that fun grin of hers. But she’s not grinning. She’s furious, and I have absolutelynoidea why she’s so mad.

---