Page 65 of Claimed By my Frenemy

I commiserate with Caroline for a moment about the summer heat before bringing up the reason for my little visit. “Did you see anyone leave something on my porch?”

Caroline frowns and shakes her head almost immediately. But it continues to look like she’s thinking, so I give her a moment. Finally, Caroline shakes her head again. “No, I’ve only seen you and that handsome man from the resort in and out of your house. No one else.”

“Handsome man from the resort?” I ask, wondering if this could be a clue.

“I’m fairly sure you two might be together?” Caroline says, but her voice goes up like she’s asking me for confirmation. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to assume things. I’ve just seen him at your house several times, helping you with different projects.”

“Oh, Theo. Did you see him on my porch this morning?”

I don’t think Theo would have left a note making himself look bad, but I’m trying to rule out all possibilities. “No, I haven’t seen anyone over there this morning. Are you…okay? Did something happen?”

“Someone just left me a note, and I’m trying to figure out who.”

“You have a secret admirer,” Caroline teases.

But I can’t even fake a smile. I’m worried. I’m worried that everything I’ve worked so hard for is about to be ruined.

32

THEO

I paceback and forth in my office, the view of the growing resort outside doing nothing to get rid of the anxiety I’m feeling. Negotiations with Steve have been relentless, and I’m starting to feel like I’m fighting a losing battle. The community meeting went well, but convincing Steve of the revised plan’s merits is another story entirely.

“Think, Theo, think,” I mutter to myself, running a hand through my hair. Steve is a businessman through and through, and the bottom line is his priority. He sees the original plan as the most profitable, and he’s not wrong. But this isn’t just about money anymore. It’s about the community, about Mia, and about doing what’s right.

The fact is that the original plan isn’t an option anymore. And if it’s not an option, then we have to move on to the next best thing.

I hear footsteps in the lobby, clicks across the new tile floor, and I look up at my office door, my heart pounding hard as I wait for whoever might come through. Maybe it’s just a contractor with more questions. Maybe it’s a concerned or nosy citizen. Or?—

“Theo,” Steve’s voice is hard and unyielding as he pushes his way into my office. Technically, it’s his office too, but he’s never shown any interest in working on site.

“Steve.” I hold my hand out to her, and he hesitates before taking it. He shakes it, and his grip is firm, just like his voice. I can tell that he didn’t come here to chat about the weather. I wish I was better prepared to face this conversation.

“I’ve given this a lot of thought, and I’m not budging. The original plan is the best course of action. We both agreed to it, and you can’t back out now.”

“Steve, we’ve been over this. The original plan isn’t an option due to Mia’s unwillingness to sell the property.”

“Then push her more. Everyone gives at a certain point. You just haven’t found that point yet for her.”

“I’m not willing to push her anymore.”

Steve smirks, and I dislike the distance in his eyes. I partnered with him on this project because he’s a big investor. Someone I trust recommended him as the person to have on board for a project this size. But now, I’m not sure why I ever thought I could do this. I can’t handle Steve’s pushiness. “Roberts, you have to decide what’s more important to you—a profit or a girl who will move on in a few months anyway. Something lasting or something temporary? You’re good-looking. Don’t tell me you can’t get laid if you really want to.”

“I would prefer if we keep mysexlife off the table for discussion. Thank you. The point is that the second plan gives us a profit. We won’t be losing money. The money we make will be split as we agreed, and we can invest it in new projects. The community is excited about this plan too, so to go changing it by?—”

“That’s not my problem. The revised plan isn’t profitable enough. Maybe it is for you, but I’ve had money tied up here for months, and the resort isn’t being finished fast enough.”

I grit my teeth, frustration bubbling up. “If we push the original plan, we’ll alienate the entire community. We need their support, or this project will fail. Don’t you realize the power one news article can have? All it would take is one person writing about how the resort stamped out one of its own resident’s dreams of a bed and breakfast and there goes any chance we have. Oak Island is small and has to be treated with care.”

Steve’s voice lowers, taking on a more threatening tone. “Listen, Theo, I’ve been patient, but my patience is wearing thin. Either you get on board with the original plan, or I’ll find someone who will. Don’t think I won’t.”

Steve marches out of the office abruptly, leaving me staring at the door in disbelief. The threat hangs heavy in the air, and I know Steve isn’t bluffing. He’s capable of following through, and that puts me in an impossible position. Would he really buy me out so that I have no say-so in the project anymore? The very idea makes me worried for Mia and how he might force her to sell.

I slump into my chair, running my hands over my face. How did it come to this? Everything was going so well, and now I’m trapped between a rock and a hard place. I know I need to tell Mia, to be honest with her about what’s happening, but the thought of her reaction terrifies me. She’s already suspicious, and this will only confirm her worst fears.

A buzz pulls me from my thoughts. This time, it’s a text message from Steve. I open it, my stomach twisting as I read the words:

You have until the end of the week to decide. Don’t make me do something we’ll both regret.

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