I nodded with a devious smile across my face, “I can assure you that’s the only reason this offer is as generous as it is. We have consultants like Chelsea here who will step in and take care of those client relationships you’ve cultivated so beautifully. Now, as long as you’re on board, we can move to the next step.”
She sniffed back tears and whispered to her attorney again who nodded and patted the top of her hand gently. “So as long as we agree to this transfer period and audit, we’ll receive payment in full for all Tipping Point properties, physical and intellectual?”
“That’s correct, but make sure you understand the clause in regards to the results of the audit. Your company’s books and holdings need to fall within the expectations and reasonable financial parameters set in that proposal for this deal to go through. I won’t hesitate to take my money and my offer elsewhere. I’ll leave this company to flounder about and let the vultures come and pick it dry.”
Chelsea snickered as she drew in a breath and gathered her things. She knew the meeting was over. Everyone in that room knew. I stood up to let my 6’2 height tower over Poppy Smith and her lawyer. The way she gazed up at me made me wonder how many other businesses came in here with similar proposals.
I guess I shouldn’t worry about things like that since she chose me.
The minute we stepped into the lobby, Chelsea tossed her soft red waves over her shoulder and batted her hazel eyes at me. I knew where this was going and I never wanted it to go there. She was beautiful, but not the kind of woman that interested me in the slightest.
“You really nailed it in there,” she said enthusiastically. She practically skipped to keep up with me as I charged toward the door. I was starving and in desperate need of coffee. There was a great cafe nearby, and I wanted to get there before they started serving lunch items.
“Thanks, Chels, you um really kept quiet.” It’s the only words that came to me.
She giggled, “I know, but you were soon.I didn’t want to interrupt you or throw you off. Why don’t we go grab a celebratory lunch or something? It’s your birthday, right?”
“That it is, but don’t worry about it. You head back to the office. I’m going to make a quick run for my brother-”
“OH YES! Drew’s in town!” She beamed at the mention of my brother, who’s in the middle of his second season as a professional football player. “Um, if he’s looking for someone to show him around-”
I cut her off with a soft laugh, “It’s fine, Chelsea. We grew up here. Go ahead back to the office and I’ll see you later.”
It was like watching every ounce of sunshine drain out of the sky. Her smile faded with nervous energy as she gave me a timid wave before stepping toward the door. She looked down like she was about to call a ride-share service. I walked over to the receptionist area and grabbed an available umbrella and started walking into the storm in search of Cocoa Caffeine.
Cocoa Caffeine was a stroke of genius in downtown Broad City that served just about everything dipped in chocolate. The aroma embodied warmth and decadence from the moment I stepped inside the shop. There were a few tables sprinkled around the sitting area, with some booths that lined the walls and wrapped around toward the back of the eatery. There was a ten-foot long display case with an array of treats and baked goods.
The barista moved at lightning speed behind the counter while a chef hustled in and out through a pair of swinging double doors. The line to order was long, as expected. I’ve never came and the line was not at least 10 people long. The rain poured down even heavier than when I first stepped outside and made me want to stay in this cafe for the rest of the day.
Thunder boomed, rattling the windows and making the person behind me jump and grab onto my arm.
“I’m sorry.”
The soft words sounded like they’d came off an angel’s lips as I turned around to see the origin of such delicacy. Bright brown eyes stared at me, wide and alluring. Her thick black hair looked like it was on the brink of curling from the moisture in the air. Her beauty stunned me to near silence.
“It’s alright, really. Thunder can make anyone jumpy.”
She smiled. “Yeah, especially, when it feels like someone is following you.”
“Someone’s following you?” I peered over her shoulder and out the door to see if anyone appeared in the doorway.
“No, I mean, I don’t think so. It just feels like it.”
I nodded, “I get it. You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen and I’m sure lesser men would follow you to the edges of the earth.”
“What about you? Would you be a lesser man that follows me to the edge of the earth?” That smirk behind those full lips practically dared me to kiss them, but it’s possible I was reading more into this conversation because of her attractiveness.
“No, but I can lead you to the heavens.”
“Wow. I didn’t know where you were gonna go with that, but I have to admit, it came off smoother than I thought.”
I offered her a smile, “I have plenty of lines like that, but I have a really special one that I save for exceptional women like yourself.”
“Lay it on me,” she giggled.
I extended my hand out to her, “Hi. My name is Colt Warner. It’s lovely to meet you.”
“Oh shit, you have struck gold with that one,” she laughed and shook my hand, never letting our eye contact break as she leaned in closer to me. “I’m Nina Wilkins and it’s nice to meet you, Colt Warner.”
