Page 20 of Upshot

“I’m calling about the house you have for sale on Elm,” I say when the real estate agent listed on the sign answers. “Yes, if you have time today, I’d love to see it. Great. I’ll wait here.”

I’m in luck, the house is empty. I climb the steps and peer through the windows. The ceilings are high, and it looks like a lot of the original woodwork continues inside.

My mind is already calculating the cost of the house when the agent shows up. He introduces himself as Jason. When he unlocks the door, I follow him inside.

My guess is that this house hasn’t had anyone living in it for a while. It just needs someone willing to put the work in to turn it back into something to be proud of.

“So what do you think?” Jason asks when we return from looking at the bedrooms upstairs.

“I’ll take it.”

eight

BRONTË

“How do I look?” I ask, standing in front of the full-length mirror in my room.

“As beautiful as ever.” Mom sits on the bed, watching me. “Are you sure you don’t want me to come?”

“I’ll be fine.” I smile at her sweetly in the mirror, and she smiles back. I can see the worry on her face anyway.

My parents don’t like the idea that Rand and I are meeting over dinner alone to discuss the future. They both believe it should be handled in the attorney’s office. I’m hoping it doesn’t come to that though. If we can both work out something just between the two of us, this baby will be much better off.

“I’m sure Austen or Eliot would go with you.”

“Mom,” I say, turning around. “I promise not to sign anything. If he shows up with a team of men in suits, I’ll walk right back out the door. And if he tries to kidnap me in the parking lot, I’ll scream myself hoarse.”

“Kidnap—”

“But Mom,” I say, cutting her off. “None of that will happen. I don’t think he’s that kind of guy, but I’m ready just in case.”

“We just don’t want you hurt.”

“I know that. I also know there’s a really good chance I will be, but I’ll always have you and Dad to pick up the pieces.” I kiss her on the cheek. She follows me down the stairs, where Dad is waiting impatiently by the front door.

“Did you talk some sense into her, Elise?”

“Not yet,” I say, kissing him on the cheek too. I know they’re just worried, but I’ve got this. I’m not the same little girl they remember. I shrug into my coat and walk outside.

Even though Sam’s Steakshack is on the edge of town, it still doesn’t take me long until I’m pulling into the parking lot. I’ll be honest, I’m nervous. I have no idea what to expect. But this isn’t something I can ignore and hope it goes away. Rand deserves to be heard. Taking a fortifying breath, I open the restaurant door.

“Brontë,” I’m greeted by the same sweet woman who has been here for as long as I can remember. “There’s a gentleman here waiting for you.”

I look up as she leads me across the room to see Rand stand from his chair. He quickly moves to pull my chair out. He settles me in the chair and returns to his own.

“Thanks for showing up,” Rand says. “I wasn’t sure what you wanted to drink, so I got us water. I did order us a plate of fries with bacon and cheese. The appetizer selection isn’t exactly the biggest. Hopefully, you like potatoes.”

He’s rambling, which must mean he’s nervous.

“So, I guess I’ll stop going on about appetizers.” He smiles. I forgot that his dimples make him ten times more gorgeous. They also make him look younger, more relaxed.

“I like potatoes.”

“Good, good.”

I watch his eyes cast around, trying to think of something else to talk about. I’m confused. This is a man who strikes million-dollar deals with ease. Why is he acting like this is more than a negotiation? Based on what I know of him (I’ve studied him hard since he gave me his business card) I should be facing some big guns.

“Where are your attorneys?” I ask.

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