“Well, there’s your problem. I hate modern and up to date. I like character.”
“Montana, this is business, not a dating app. Bringing a property up to date and having more space and better function is the key to making this more successful. Tell me why you are so emotionally attached. I want to understand it.” I set my silverware down and folded my hands together.
Why do I fucking care what she thinks?
Seeing her every goddamn day was making me crazy. I’d gone on a business trip today and was supposed to spend the night there, but I wanted to get back.
This woman was so far under my skin, and I couldn’t figure it out.
“I grew up there,” she said, eyes wet with emotion. “My dad has worked there since I was born, and I’ve literally spent my entire life there. I learned to play the piano in that entryway, and mine and Dad’s initials are engraved on the side of that old banister in the place that Howard and Lydia hung our stockings every year over the holidays. I have this here.” She paused and tilted her head down to show me the tiniest scar in her hairline before continuing. “I tripped when I was seven years old and split my head open on the fireplace there. I’ve gone through heartache and happiness inside that inn, and my business boomed, which in turn helped Howard and Lydia’s business boom. And you’re just tearing it down like it means nothing.”
A sharp pain hit my chest.
I shook it off.
I knew better than to think I was in charge of other people’s emotions, but hearing her say this—it made me feel things I wasn’t used to feeling.
Guilt? Fuck no. I didn’t believe in that shit.
Empathy. Maybe a little.
I didn’t want to be my father, but I also avoided vulnerability, and I’d been successful at it most of my life.
“You gave them the opportunity to retire, Montana.” I leaned forward, waiting for her to look at me. “I looked at their books. Those weddings are the bulk of their income, which has more than tripled since you opened your business a few years ago. In turn, that means that I paid them three times what I would have before they started working with you. You gave them a fucking gift, and you’re not seeing it.”
She blinked several times and looked away. “They do seem happy about retiring. I know they’re tired. I just—I love that place, you know?”
“I get that. But that doesn’t mean the new hotel won’t be something you love as well.”
“Can I ask you something?”
“You can ask,” I said, my voice laced with humor. “I’ll let you know if I’m going to answer.”
“Why did you want to buy the Seaside Inn?”
“Because I saw potential. I’ve always been drawn to potential.” It was the truth. And for some reason, I saw something in Montana Kingsley that had drawn me to her.
“But you must have been drawn to the charm, so why not keep that and just expand on it?”
“I wasn’t drawn to the charm of the inn.” I shrugged. “I didn’t even fly in to see the property before I purchased it. I didn’t need to. It was the land, the views, the fact that Harry fucking Simon chose to get married here and put this small town on the map. Blushing can’t keep up with the tourists who are flocking to come here now, and they’re staying in Anchorage and taking a boat over to hang out in this cool hot spot that everyone in Hollywood is gushing about. I saw an opportunity.”
“And life is all about opportunities for you?”
“In business, yes.” My gaze found hers, and I couldn’t look away from her plump lips. “But every now and then it happens outside of business, just not very often.”
Her tongue swiped out along her lower lip, as if she knew exactly what I was thinking. “Did you just refer to me as an ‘opportunity’?”
“I wouldn’t say that. But I would say that you have been ... unexpected.”
“More like your worst nightmare, huh? You had no idea you’d have to see me again.”
“I’m not the one who snuck out without leaving a phone number.”
“You don’t strike me as a guy who gets phone numbers and does repeat business, so I’m sure you were just fine with it,” she said as she caught her lips between her teeth and looked away.
“You don’t know a whole lot about me, HB. You’ve just decided that you hate me because I’m the one who bought the inn.”
“Fine. I know nothing about you. So let me ask you a few questions.”
