Page 44 of A Game-Changing Christmas

Chapter Twelve

In the days leading to Christmas, Lance had been busy wrapping up his featured film, attending tux fittings, wine tastings, and other appointments Allison had on the agenda. Somehow, between his busy schedule, Lance managed to find a few hours to spare, and with them, he approached his father while his dad roamed the long wall of his home library.

With Brandy in one hand, the other behind his back, and his eyes glued to the books on the shelf, Leslie Valentine scrutinized the titles as if he’d never seen them before. As co-owner of Valentine Media Group with his wife Bridgette Valentine, Lance’s parents became moguls, clearing the path for their children to have opportunities that they wouldn’t be able to afford on a normal salary.

The door to the library was open as Lance entered, so instead of knocking, he called out, “Knock, knock.”

Leslie pivoted in black penny loafer leather shoes, gray pants, and a black and gray plaid flannel button down. A smile cruised across his mouth, lifting his mustache into dark brown eyes, and spreading his thick lips.

“Son, what a nice surprise,” he said, strolling to stand in front of Lance.

The two men greeted each other with a handshake as Leslie carried his eyes over his son’s dark chocolate skin, brown eyes, and the neat row of braided locks that cruised down the skull of his head, tapering off at the back of his neck. They released hands then Leslie strolled to the bar area to fix Lance his own short glass of Brandy.

“I didn’t come to stay long, but I wanted to ask about Windward Pier.”

One of Leslie’s brows rose as he finished pouring and topped the decanter with the glass stopper.

“What about it, son?”

“Do you still have plans to resell it?”

Leslie’s lips rubbed together as he pondered while treading back to Lance with an offering of the brown spirit.

“It’s still a possibility, why, do you have a potential buyer?”

“Yes.”

“Well come, sit, and tell me all about them.”

“It’s me, Father.”

Leslie paused and eyed his son.

“Well, what are your plans for it? It’s already in the family, there’s no need for you to purchase it if you’ve got good reason to add to the land.”

“It’s not for me. It’s for Jonathon.”

Leslie stared at his son for a long moment. He knew the rivalry that stemmed between the Roses and Valentines had come because of the history behind Windward Pier. For a long time, his son had stood his ground about the bid being won fair and square, and Leslie had seconded that truth. Still, Leslie also knew how close his son and Jonathon once were and wondered if there was ever a day that would come to see them patch things up.

“Why?” he asked, already knowing the answer and internally feeling proud that his son had decided to resolve this.

“It’s an heirloom to him, and I never knew. I thought for the longest he was just being an ass, so I responded in the same manner. I’m ready to get over it and move forward. If giving him the land is what it takes, that’s what I’ll do.”

Leslie wanted to know just how much his son was willing to mend fences with the one he used to call his brother. So he took it a step further.

“Windward Pier is worth three point five million dollars, son. I understand your need to right wrongs, but unless you’re adding value to the land, I can’t just give it away.” Leslie paused and waited for his son’s response.

“I didn’t expect you to. You’re a businessman, and so am I, that’s why I’m willing to pay you four million for it.”

As a parent, nothing thrilled you more than to see your child excel to the next level in life. Whether that be financially, intellectually, spiritually, or compassionately. Whatever the case, it comes with great pride, swelling your heart to see them soar and hold a love for their fellow man. This was how Leslie felt in that moment.

“Are you sure you want to do this?”

“With certainty.”

A smirk curved at the corners of Leslie’s lips. “All right then, follow me.”

The men left the library and headed to Leslie’s office on the main level. There, Leslie pulled out a drawer and removed a file folder with the deed and ownership papers signed by him long ago. He gave Lance a pen and had him sign for the land, owning it outright, pending his authorized payment of four million dollars.

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