Page 137 of Broken Grump

“So, we’ve gone over this thing frontwards and backwards,” Steven comments after picking the papers up.

“Indeed,” one of the unknown men responds.

“But just for thoroughness’s sake, I want to outline the key terms for you one more time. Do you mind?”

“Not at all.” It takes a few moments, but eventually it’s just the three of us—Steven, Hayden, and me—in the room.

“So, as we’ve discussed, we did have to increase our bid,” our lawyer explains.

“That’s fine,” Hayden comments, draping his right ankle over his left knee.

“Right.” From there, he goes over some more specifics, but after we assure him that we’re comfortable with everything. Then he gets up and calls everyone else back into the room.

“We’re good?” Randall asks.

“We are,” I respond after sharing a glance with Hayden.

“Wonderful.”

After that, we all take turns signing our names, and before I know it, the deal is done.

“Congratulations,” Steven comments. “Ivory Shores is one more step closer to becoming a reality!”

Hayden and I are both smiling like goons. It’s heartwarming to know that, at least in part, are reactions stemming from the same happiness over making myabuelo’s dream come true.

“Except there is one more thing,” Randall says.

Oh, shit. Here I thought I’d truly “wowed” him at our family’s little chapel.

“I want to invest in your resort.”

My jaw drops. “You—you do?” I wasn’t expecting him to say that.

“I sure do, and Claire is in full agreement. We think that a partnership with you two will open many, many doors for us all over the country.”

Wow.From slut-shaming to this? We’ve really come full circle in our relationship.

As I’m not really on the business side of things, I leave to let him and Hayden work out the “investment” side.

“It’s done,” he announces with his arms outstretched a few minutes later.

I told him I’d wait for him just outside the door, and I kept my word.

“Really? That was fast.”

Hayden cocks his head to the side. “Yeah, well, Randall really wanted to get in on the action of Ivory Shores.”

“I guess so.”

He comes closer and grazes his fingers through his perfectly kept hair. “Do you want to know how much he agreed to pay?”

Talking money always makes me uncomfortable, so I cross my arms and back away a bit. “No, that isn’t necessary. Whatever the two of you worked out, I’m sure it’s a good deal.” I have to trust Hayden on that part.

His light eyes widen. “Oh, it’s more than good. It’s great. He tripled what I initially thought he was going to offer.”

“Wow!” Again, I don’t really know what that means, but it sure sounds good. “That’s great, Hayden.”

He smiles, looks out into the distance, and rubs his hands together. “Yes. Yes, it is.”

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