Total pages in book: 145
Estimated words: 147733 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 739(@200wpm)___ 591(@250wpm)___ 492(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 147733 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 739(@200wpm)___ 591(@250wpm)___ 492(@300wpm)
It feels like a solid brick today.
One missed voicemail from Louise.
No new texts.
Jenn hasn’t so much as sworn at me since the night that vulture of a woman showed up.
I keep thinking she’ll call or send some snarky-ass message eventually. Then I can cough up a real apology and maybe we can get back to normal.
Yeah.
Wishful fucking thinking.
Still, I don’t want to call her.
Not when she needs time to cool down at her own pace and an honest break from the bullshit I regret inflicting on her.
I’m also sorry as hell I’m not talking to Jenn right now.
I’ve dreaded this conversation like a cancer diagnosis. It’s been years, and if Simone hadn’t invaded my life again, I’d continue sending her notes by high-paid pigeons—lawyers who charge extortionate hourly rates to deal with the human shit I can’t stand to touch.
Only, I’ve lost that luxury.
If I want to keep her the hell away from Jennifer Landers, I have to roll up my sleeves and get my hands filthy.
I punch the number into my office phone, put the receiver to my ear, and stare out the window.
Focusing on the view from my high-rise office might avert my heart from clawing its way up my throat.
Might.
“That took longer than I expected,” Simone answers with the same cheery lilt in her voice I remember, barely changed by years of chronic smoking and age.
“You’re pathetic,” I growl.
“Really, Miles? It’s been years and you can’t say hello before launching into a guessing game? I have no earthly idea what you’re mad about now.”
Yes, you do.
Yes, you fucking do.
“You don’t know you’re going after my neighbor’s property to twist my arm? Spare me. You don’t want it. You don’t need it. You never even heard of Pinnacle Pointe before you came after me. If you’re that hellbent on forcing me into a corporate partnership that’s never happening, you can’t go dragging innocent parties into this. And you’d better hope I never spot any detectives you put up my ass. I’ll press charges for harassment and private espionage.”
“Oh, sweetie,” she croons. “Don’t flatter yourself. It’s just business... But I guess you always did have trouble with making everything so personal.”
My fingers pinch the phone until they hurt, wanting to crush it.
“Stay the fuck out of Pinnacle Pointe,” I rasp.
Stay the fuck away from her is what I mean, but I know it’ll make this a hundred times worse.
She scoffs loudly. “Miles, Miles. I may never understand what you see in that little hole-in-the-wall place. However—”
“You just said it. Your offer on the inn is pointless.”
“Can I get a word in?” She clears her throat loudly. “My offer was far from pointless, and I think you’ll agree 'generous' is a far better description. You should’ve seen the way her mouth dropped when she saw the number. I suppose it is a lot of money for a twenty-five-year-old—”
“She’s twenty-six.”
Fuck, I shouldn’t have said that.
“Well, at least now I know why this has you so twisted up.” Simone’s giggle comes out like a harsh rattle. “Honestly, I’m proud of you. A part of me was worried you’d never totally move on, but look at you. Dating an employee? How deliciously scandalous.”
She’s so goddamned patronizing I could puke.
“What’s the matter? You don’t want to be neighbors? I’m sure you could just move your new girlfriend in, and she’d be a lot richer. No harm, no foul.”
“I’d rather catch Ebola from a monkey bite to the face than wind up your neighbor.”
She sighs so slowly I can feel her nails raking down my neck, setting every hair on end.
“Always so dramatic. Same old Miles. Anyhow, I’ve gotten wind that you’re very interested in the same property, but for some odd reason, you aren’t making much progress. Are you just upset I made a better offer? I’d be happy to turn around and sell it to you—maybe at a loss, provided you’re willing to make other accommodations.”
“Fuck you entirely, Simone,” I snap. “If you want to keep your roost at a functioning company and an endless supply of that imported shit that’s killing your lungs, you’ll listen very closely. Stay away from me. Stay away from my property. Most of all, stay the fuck away from Miss Landers.”
So much for focusing on the big picture and not letting her get to me.
I wish I was above this right now, not struggling to keep my head above the quicksand.
She’s quiet for a minute.
“Wow. You really do hate me, don’t you?”
I don’t answer.
“Miles, you know what happened wasn’t my fault, right? You can’t keep blaming me forever. Your mother—that’s not fair. If I had any inkling what was happening, I never would’ve kept you that night when you could’ve—”
“Enough,” I grind out. “Shut your lying mouth.”
I can’t believe she dared to bring it up just to deny responsibility again.