I wouldn’t have to face the feelings I had for Jake, or deal with my loud, invasive family. All the inconveniences of a small town where everyone was in your business.
The laundry list of pros was long.
I glanced at the porch where my brother stood. The two guys who had been helping to stack lumbar out of the way and tarp the half-done stairs were already getting in their trucks to leave.
The narrow-eyed glance I received as they drove by was as much of a wake-up call as skinny-dipping in the lake this time of year.
“I’m not interested in selling.”
Did that actually come out of my mouth?
I sucked in a breath. I was almost certain it had. My heart knew what to say even before my mouth.
Actually, I’d been holding down what my heart wanted for so long it was like being set free for the first time in too many years to count.
Danny holding me down.
My job as a marketing manager at the finance company—which I only had because it was smart to work for them. Because Danny and I had been the golden couple for a short while.
Now my ex-husband was an executive at the Manhattan branch, and it literally felt like being with him had been another life.
One I’d never really loved.
“You’ll be putting far more money into this establishment than it’s worth. I can take it off your hands. We can even discuss a little incentive.”
I lifted my chin. What Maitland wanted was the access to the lake. It was prime real estate on this side of the Cove. “Sharkey’s isn’t for sale. And neither is Crescent Cove, Mr. Maitland.”
He put his car into park.
“No. Don’t park. Don’t get out of your car. It’ll be a waste of time.”
He took off his sunglasses. “You’re making a mistake.”
I nodded. “Maybe. But this is a neighborhood spot for our firefighters and police. When I’m done with it, this will be a great community place for the Cove.”
“Are you sure the bank will feel the same way? It could be all that and more when I tear it down and put up a restaurant.”
No, I wasn’t sure. But I’d bet I could get a lot of amazing references in this town, thanks to my family and friends.
Sometimes, asking for help could be a good thing.
I tipped my head to the side and stared Maitland down. “That a firefighter who makes an average salary could afford?”
His jaw tightened.
I hadn’t even been aware that I’d been looking at Sharkey’s like that. But my creative marketing background that had been wasted on corporate brochures and bland campaigns finally clicked into gear.
Ideas started filling my head. Like expanding the parking lot into a large eating area that could bring families to this part of the lake once more. Becoming a place that would be more than just a bar.
So much flooded my brain. Things I never knew I wanted. A home and a place to raise a family had been right here all this time. I’d just been too stubborn to see it.
“Remember this moment in a year when your business fails, and you’re forced to sell to me for a fraction of what I’m offering you now.”
My mouth was as dry as dust, but I gave him a confident smile. “We’ll see, won’t we?”
Maitland’s charming smile dissolved as he rolled up his window and backed out of the parking lot. The rims of his stupidly expensive tires scraped over a pothole before he peeled out into the road.
“My sister, the badass.”