Aiden didn’t waste any time. He launched into the reason he was in the office. “I’ve done some thinking, and I’ve gotten some new information.”
I leaned forward; the knots tightened. The little shit was going to back out of the deal.
“Cole, I don’t think I can accept your deal.” Aiden sounded completely matter-of-fact.
I closed my eyes. I should have known this would happen. It was all too good and perfect to be true. Things were coming together too smoothly. Cole had been right about Aiden all along.
“What in the hell are you talking about? We shook on that deal.” Cole stood from his seat. Normally, I would jump up and try to calm him down. Try to protect Aiden’s handsome face from Cole’s fist, but not this time. He deserved whatever was headed his direction.
“I know we did, but that deal’s not right.” Aiden showed no remorse.
“Not right? You get more than fifty percent. How is that not right?” The vein on Cole’s neck was throbbing. Not a good sign.
“Because I h
ave a better deal for you.”
I sat up in my chair. “What do you mean? What could possibly be better than what Cole offered you?”
He looked at both of us. “Like I said, I’ve done some thinking. I think there’s a better business move here that we could all benefit from. I made a few calls yesterday and this morning. I have a new offer for you.”
Cole stood motionless. “Go on.”
“What if we go into this as fifty-fifty partners? We could update the motel and turn the rooms into condos, add a second story like mini apartments and sell them to the snowbird demographic Kaitlyn has started drawing here. We could make some big money on the real estate end and still keep the land rights for the management side of things.”
I knew I was capable of speaking, but right then, I didn’t know how to make my mouth work. Aiden had completely shocked me.
“Why are you offering this?” Cole questioned him.
“It’s a better deal. We can make more money in the long term, along with the upfront cash.” He raised his eyebrows. “So, what do you say? Want to go into business together?”
“You’ve got to have an angle.” Cole’s eyes were boring holes in Aiden’s head. The way his knuckles were turning white, I wasn’t sure he wouldn’t still punch him.
Aiden shook his head side to side. “My angle is business. This is the best deal for all of us. No lawsuit. No demolition. No one loses his or her job. You can run the amenity and HOA side of things if you want, and Kaitlyn can still be in charge of marketing. She can get into a whole new realm of condo real estate. I don’t do much with day-to-day operations. I’ll be more like a silent partner.” He stroked the side of his jawline. I noticed the five o’clock shadow was back. “Or, if you want to do something else and want to be silent partners like me, we can hire someone to do the managing part and sit back and watch the money roll in.”
“This is for real?” Cole stepped back to his chair and sat. I realized I no longer had to worry about him decking him.
“One hundred percent.” Aiden looked nervous.
“Kaitlyn and I need to talk about it.” It was Cole’s first response that wasn’t a question.
Aiden stood to leave. “Understandable. Give me a call soon.” He opened the door and turned to face us. “By the way, I dropped the lawsuit this morning. So, whatever you decide, I want you to know that. I’m not playing an angle.” He adjusted his sunglasses and walked out the door, closing it tightly behind him.
“Wait!” I jumped from my chair and chased after him, leaving Cole in the office.
Aiden turned in front of his convertible. “What’s up, girl?”
“Is this for real? You’re not trying to lure us into some kind of trap?”
He slid his sunglasses off his face and I could see the pain in his eyes, combined with something else. Regret.
“Kaitlyn, I told you why it was so important for me to tear down the Dunes, but I’ve decided that might not be the best thing for me. I know it’s not the best thing for you. It’s not a trap. I’m moving in a new direction.”
“I-I heard what Lisa said to you at the reception.” I hadn’t planned on confessing. “I’m sorry, Aiden.”
“What do you have to be sorry about?”
“I’m sorry all this happened to you. Your parents obviously had a complicated relationship and they let it interfere with you. It’s not fair.” My hands slipped from my hips.