Page 22 of Falling for Mr. Grump, the Big City Billionaire

A food truck horn honks nearby – not Skye's, but for a second my heart jumps anyway.

I grunt in annoyance.

I need a drink. And it's not even noon.

I head back to the inn, my shoes clicking against the sidewalk in an angry rhythm. But I can't shake the image of young Skye laughing in that photo, or the way her grandfather stood up to companies just like mine.

Just like me.

The worst part?

I'm not sure which side I want to win anymore.

Later in my room, my laptop screen shows two faces that look way too much like mine for comfort.

Lillian’s perfectly styled hair, Mona's executive power suit, and both of them wearing identical expressions of disapproval.

Drew's empty square reminds me that at least one sibling is on my side – sort of.But what side is that?

"Troy, darling," Mona begins, in that voice that means I'm in trouble. "It's been a week. Please tell us that you have good news."

I adjust my collar, buying time. The AC in my room feels suddenly insufficient. "Things are... progressing."

Mona leans closer to her camera. "Progressing? That's not the word I want to hear from my CEO brother about simple land acquisitions in a small town."

Simple. Right.

"The situation is more complex than we anticipated," I say, trying to sound like the CEO I'm supposed to be.

Not like someone who spent his morning staring at old photos and thinking about a certain food truck owner.

"Complex how?" Lillian demands. "The projections are clear. The profit margins-"

"I know the projections." I cut her off more sharply than I intended. "I wrote them, remember?"

"Then what's the problem?" Mona’s voice could freeze hell. "Don't tell me you're going soft on us, Troy. Not you too."

I think of Mrs. Tamara’s knowing look. Of Skye's grandfather standing up to corporations like ours. Of Skye's smile in that old photograph.

"Of course not." The lie tastes bitter. "But rushing this could backfire. These people are... attached to their properties."

Lillian rolls her eyes. "They're always attached. That's why we make offers they can't refuse."

"The board is getting impatient," Mona adds. "And Harrison Corp is sniffing around. If we don't move fast-"

"I know how to do my job," I snap.

Both my sisters raise their eyebrows – a synchronized move that would be funny if it wasn't so annoying.

"Do you?" Lillian's voice softens dangerously. "Because the Troy I know would have closed this deal days ago. The Troy I know wouldn't let some small-town sentimentality-"

"There is no sentimentality." I loosen my tie.When did this room get so hot?"I'm being strategic."

"Strategic?" Mona laughs. "Please. Drew said he saw you with some local girl. A food truck owner?"

My blood runs cold. "Drew needs to mind his own business."

"You are our business," Lillian says. "Daddy left you in charge for a reason, Troy. Don't make us regret supporting that decision."

---