Page 48 of The One I Hate
“You’re an idiot.”
“I’ve been called worse.”
Emmett shakes his head in clear frustration. “Do you have a plan? What happens when she finds out you’re the landlord? What happens when she finds out about any of this?”
“She won’t,” I say with mock confidence. “You’re now sworn to secrecy. No one in town knows that I bought Mona’s. And when they find out which company bought it, they are going to see Magnolia Properties. The only people who know I own thatare my best friends. This is going to be fine. I’ve got this under control.”
“But do you?” Emmett says with a head tilt. “Because I don’t think you do.”
I shrug. “I’m really just winging it. But it will be fine. It always is.”
“Simon,” Emmett says, shaking his head as he bows it and clasps his hands together. Why do I feel like I’m about to get a lecture? “What is your intention in all this? What’s the end game?”
That’s the easiest question I’ve been asked all day. “To get my answer.”
“That’s it?”
“Yeah, that’s it,” I say. “Yes, I know sleeping with her complicates things, but that was a one and done. She wants nothing to do with me, and after I know my answer, I likely won’t want anything to do with her.”
“I don’t really believe that, but okay…”
“Emmett. It’s fine. I know what I’m doing. Mostly. If she sees me every day, I’m going to wear her down. It worked before; it will work again. And then, once I get my answer, I’ll tell her I own the place. She’ll probably be mad at me, but she’s been mad at me for years, so I don’t see it being a big deal. And at that point I’ll have my answer. That’s all I need, and we can move on with our lives.”
Emmett leans back in the chair and starts rubbing his fingers against his temples. “This is going to blow up in your face. And I’m going to be caught in the damn middle. All because you can’t have a damn conversation without you or your dick getting in the way.”
“Have a little faith.”
“That’s the thing I have the least of.” Emmett sits back up and locks eyes with me. “Just promise me one thing.”
“Yes, I’ll give you a raise after this is over.”
“Not that, but I am going to hold you to it,” Emmett says. “Charlie’s a good girl. She wants this restaurant. I can tell. She’s exactly the kind of person Mona wants to take over. Do not, and I repeat, do not sabotage this for her. Don’t fuck with her in any way. If I get the feeling for one second you are, I don’t care that you’re my boss and my friend, I will blow your shit up on the spot, no questions asked.”
I hold my hand up in an oath. “I promise I won’t. I don’t want her to fail. Not in the littlest bit. I just want answers. I swear.”
Emmett stares me down, assessing if I’m telling the truth. But I am. Yes, I might be a little devious with this plan, but I don’t want Charlie to fail. I want her to thrive. I’ll give her whatever she wants.
And all I want in return are my answers.
“Promise?”
“Cross my heart,” I say. “Once we finally talk, I’ll drop everything and move on. She’ll just be a tenant, and I’ll just be her landlord.”
Emmett gives me a skeptical look. “Will you, though?”
I shrug and take a big bite of my burger. “Debatable.”
Chapter 12
Charlie
Charlie: Are you sure I’m supposed to be here? I feel like I’m spying.
Emmett: Yes. You wanted to see a normal morning at Mona’s, and she wants to meet you. Just go in and introduce yourself.
Charlie: You’re sure she wants to meet me? Like she said those words?
Emmett: Just go in, Charlie. Sit at the counter. Get the pancakes. They’re delicious.
