Page 34 of A Christmas Bargain

“No. Not at all. Naomi and I love our home.”

As I suspected.“Right. And that makes me curious about what you’re offering me.”

“Some property. That’s what you said you were in town for.”

I had. And I was. But I couldn’t be stupid about this. I had to make sure I was agreeing to something that would benefit me. Even if what he’d offer me wasn’t enough to bring in all that Grace had lost, it would be a step in the right direction. Maybe it’d be enough to persuade others that we weren’t nosediving into bankruptcy, that at least one person in charge of Barone Realty was responsible.

It isn’t like it’d be hard to pretend we’re spending time together.As unorthodox and unconventional as this meeting was, I wasn’t suffering. It wasn’t hard to sit here with him and talk.

“Talk to me, Claire. What do you think?” He smiled, lowering his gaze, almost like he was sheepish. “I know this is out there, but we’d both get what we want.”

True.

“I’m in.” I swallowed hard after blurting it out. “But?—”

He laughed louder, a deep, rich sound of pure amusement. I wanted to hear it again, giddy that I’d made this aloof and slightly gruff man laugh.

“I knew you’d say that.”

I smiled. “But,” I repeated, “I want to know more details. I never enter a deal with the stakes undefined.”

“I’d expect no less,” he said. “I looked you up and saw a bit of your portfolio. Barone Realty is in the big leagues in Colorado real estate.”

Hopefully, it can stay that way.I smiled, proud. “My dad, John, began the company.”

“Keeping it in the family.”

I nodded. “Now, these details.” I folded my hands on the table, needing something to hold on to, to ground myself with. The surface of the cool tabletop was solid and hard, something to lean on. It felt lost and untethered, entering this iffy deal with him, but I wasn’t turned off. I was excited about how this could work, if we’d both—like he predicted—get something that we wanted. If it would be a mutually beneficial arrangement.

“What would you need from me?” I asked. I wanted to know more about the specifics of the land he’d want to sell. He could probably give up half of it and still have more than enough left over for space. But I didn’t push for those details. Oddly, I knew I could trust him. Somehow, I suspected he was legitimate, a man of his word. I was a woman of my word, and I appreciated this feeling that we were kindred souls in that regard.

“I’d need you to pretend to date me. To look like my girlfriend.”

“Okay. Um.” I bit my lower lip for a second, hurrying to think this through. “Where would I need to be seen with you? What would I need to prepare for?”

“Let’s see. Naomi’s holiday recital is Friday. I’ve been dreading that because it’s so damn clear who’s single and who’s got a significant other.”

I nodded. “All right.”

“So I’d need you there. And there are a few other things in town. Holiday parties that other parents put on, community activities that Naomi’s interested in.”

“Mostly things with her, then?” I asked.

He nodded. “I don’t go out of my way to have a social life.” He shrugged, as if that gesture would lighten that admission. “Most of what we do is what she wants to do. I won’t be such an antisocial person that I deprive her.”

“Okay.”

“Are you able to handle that?”

“Your being slightly antisocial?”

“No. The events I described. If your office is in Denver…”

I shook my head. “My sister left this morning to go back to the office. Since I’m, um, redirecting my interest in properties around here, I’m staying in town—well, in Macomb—until the new year.”

That was what made the most sense. I had yet to even look at all the land that Dad had suggested I consider for deals. Honestly, I wanted the break from Grace. With us both staying at home with Dad, she was idle and away from the busy city life that she enjoyed. And in that idle time, she was prone to lamenting how she’d screwed up, that I’d never forgive her, and wondering why Dad “hates” her. The worst was when she got carried away with the doomsday fears about us losing the company. Deep down, I doubted Dad would let it come to that. He’d intervene if I couldn’t fix it.

I hope.

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