Page 13 of The Bossy Billionaire's Last Valentine

“That would be a great expansion for her.”

Annoyed, I snort. “Sure, for her. Her and her alone. As opposed to say, the entire community, that’s who benefits frommyplan.”

“Don’t get all worked up. What did Chase say?”

“He needs to sort out who inked a deal with Hans Shinglepuss first. Kayley says she discussed it with him as early as last winter, but so what, right? It comes down to who has the earliest form of written verification.”

“Definitely. Verbal agreements aren’t binding in court.”

I groan. “Is this going to go to court?”

“It depends on whether or not the paperwork makes it clear who bought the property first. It also depends on whether one of you is willing to concede.”

“I’m not going to give up without a fight.”

“Even if it means taking a small business owner to court?” Luke asks, apparently playing the role of my conscience in this conversation.

“You suck,” I tell him. “You’re supposed to be on my side.”

“I’m on the side of whoever did the deal first. It’s only fair, Bran. But if that can’t be sorted out easily, you have some thinking to do.”

“There’s no thinking. This means a lot to me. I’ll be helping a lot of local families enjoy all this mountain has to offer.”

“I understand. You know I support you on this project.”

My brothers have always had my back and I respect Luke’s advice. “Thanks. I appreciate your perspective. There’s actually one little additional problem that I could use your opinion on, too.”

“Shoot.”

“I hooked up with Kayley last night, before I knew we were vying for the same property.”

“Oh, shit. That’s messy.”

That about sums it up. “Yep. It was amazing, actually, and being around her was a lot of fun and we are—were—supposed to go to dinner tonight. How do I handle that?”

Luke laughs. “Handle what? That date is done, brother. There is no date.”

“No date?” I ask, knowing he’s right, but feeling forlorn, nonetheless.

She may have lied to me—okay, she didn’t even lie, she just didn’t reveal everything she knew—but that doesn’t mean I don’t want to see her again (under non-legal circumstances). I want to see if she faked her interest in me because I’m rich or if she genuinely enjoyed herself.

Though I’d give up my private jet and fly commercial—in basic economy—if she faked those orgasms. That’s a possibility too dark to consider for too long.

Luke sighs. “I mean, it’s possible she’ll still go out with you, I guess. I don’t know Kayley. But I strongly suspect she’s going to conclude the situation is complicated enough without adding dating to the mix.”

Complicated. It’s the word of the day.

“She definitely wasn’t thrilled with any of it. I also might have said something about no one needing another ski resort and her pandering to the rich.”

Luke chokes on a laugh. “Have you forgotten who you are, Mr. Silver Spoon? I bet you’re wearing thousand-dollar shoes right now.”

Why the hell is everyone obsessed with my shoes? “Plenty of people like nice shoes,” I protest. Hell, my ex-girlfriend loves shoes—and the things inside them—so much she runs a foot fetish site. “Besides, you know I have bad arches and quality shoes prevent pain.”

“That’s the saddest thing you’ve ever said to me. But the point is, why would you criticize Kayley’s plans?”

“I don’t know,” I say, dragging a hand through my hair. “I was shocked and frustrated. Pissed at Shinglepuss and…taking it out on her a little, maybe?”

“My advice is to keep your mouth shut and let the lawyers sort it out.”

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