Page 288 of Billionaire Temptations

“Maybe I am.” I leaned back in my chair and put my hands behind my head.

“Is this worth it, man? You feeling this way when all you have to do is call her.”

“It would be much harder down the road, Sam.”

“What you and Emily had was really good, and don’t tell me it was because of that damn contract. You were happy when you were with her, and now look at you. You’re miserable as all fuck.”

“She broke the rules, and she knew the consequences.”

“Fuck the rules, Jackson. Like I said before, rules were made to be broken, whether you’re the great Jackson Caine or not.”

“Are you finished?” I asked. “I have to get going.”

“Yeah. I guess I am. Want to grab some dinner later?”

“Maybe tomorrow. I need to go see my dad.”

“I hate seeing you like this, bro. I’ve never seen you like this. What does that tell you?” He walked out of my office.

I left the office for a meeting with a client interested in renting a space I owned on East Twelfth Street.

“Ms. Goodman?”

“Yes. You must be Mr. Caine.”

“I am.” I smiled as I extended my hand to her. “It’s nice to meet you.”

“And you as well.” She smiled back.

“Shall we have a look inside?” I stuck the key in the lock and opened the door. “May I ask what business you’re planning on opening?”

“A cupcake shop.” She brightly smiled.

“Ah. Those are nice.”

“It’s always been a dream of mine, and it’s what my husband would have wanted.”

“Would have?” I asked.

“He passed away about six months ago. We were married for ten wonderful years.”

“I’m sorry for your loss.”

“Thank you. My husband and I saved practically everything we earned to open a shop. Then he got sick, and the medical billsstarted pouring in. He made me promise that I would use his life insurance money to open up my business.”

“He sounds like he was a great man.”

“He was.” She smiled. “And I wouldn’t have traded the last ten years with him for anything. He was the love of my life, and he made me very happy. I’m doing it as much for him as for me.”

“It sounds like you had a wonderful marriage.”

“It was. Don’t get me wrong, we did have ups and downs like any couple, but our love was strong enough to work through them. We never gave up on each other, and when he died, I felt like a piece of me died with him. I’m a forty-year-old widow, and I’m starting over, putting all my focus into our dream.”

I smiled at her as she continued to look around.

“This is perfect. You said the rent was five thousand a month?”

“I was mistaken. It’s thirty-five hundred.”

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