“If we don’t have trust, we don’t have a relationship. All we have is sex. The sex is great, but I was hoping for something more.” Ean turned for the door.
Megan hurried after him. Her words rushed over each other. “Ean, you caught me by surprise. I wasn’t expecting to see your firm’s partners. I didn’t know what to think.” She laid her hand on his shoulder, hoping he’d face her.
Ean turned to her. “You should have asked me.”
“I’m asking you now. Please.” Her eyes stung with tears. Her voice trembled with fear. “Tell me, why were you meeting with them?”
“No, I don’t think I will.” Ean’s face was expressionless. “You chose to believe the worst of me, instead of asking for an explanation. That’s what matters now.”
Megan watched Ean leave, unable to stop him. She’d allowed fear to dictate her relationship with him. She’d actually believed she could fall in love and still protect her heart. The pain in her chest let her know just how stupid she’d been.
Christmas Eve, Books & Bakery reflected Megan’s love of this time of year. Decorative snowflakes and stars swung from the store’s ceiling. Bookshelves were trimmed with tinsel, ribbons or bows. A real seven-foot evergreen dominated the center of the store. Every inch of it was as overdecorated as the Christmas tree in her home.
The store was merry and bright with the holiday, but Megan felt like Scrooge. She’d wanted to cancel this emergency Tuesday-night association meeting so she could go home and sulk behind the closed door of her darkened bedroom. But Ramona had asked her specifically for the opportunity to address the group. She couldn’t say no, but she wished she had.
“Good evening, everyone.” Megan waited for their attention. They all looked at her, looked at Ean, then looked away. Was their breakup that obvious?
“I want to thank everyone for coming tonight.” Megan started again. “It’s Christmas Eve. I’m sure you all had other plans. But Mayor McCloud asked to address our group, so I’ll turn the meeting over to her. Mayor?”
Megan sat as R
amona stood to address the six-member business association.
From the corner of her eye, Megan slid a glance at Ean. She hadn’t seen him since Monday evening.
But tonight he sat on the other side of Doreen, close enough to touch. He looked as though he’d slept like a baby last night. She hadn’t. If she looked the way she felt, she was probably frightening small children and animals.
Ramona cleared her throat. “Good evening, everyone.”
Murmured responses circled the two tables the group had pushed together prior to the meeting.
Ramona continued. “I won’t keep you long. As you know, last spring, the original town center owners defaulted on their loan. Ever since that time, the town has been looking for new ownership for the center.”
Tilda Maddox shifted in her seat. “We don’t need the history lesson, Mayor. Just tell us if you’re going to raise our rent again.”
Perhaps Megan should have been used to Tilda’s rudeness by now, but she wasn’t. “Tilda, be patient. The mayor is putting her announcement in context.”
Ramona inclined her head toward Megan in silent thanks before continuing. “As I was saying, the town declared the default and hired a rental agency to collect the rents and a real estate agent to find a new owner.” Ramona paused to look around the tables at the members. “I’m pleased to announce that we have a new owner for the Trinity Falls Town Center, the limited partnership of Fever, Craven, Bolden and Arnez.”
Megan’s jaw dropped. Her pulse was drumming in her ears. A look around the table revealed she wasn’t the only one in shock.
“What did you say?” She wasn’t even aware of asking the question.
Ramona’s eyes were bright with laughter. “Ean and his friends, the partners of the law firm of Craven, Bolden and Arnez, are the new owners of the Trinity Falls Town Center.” Ramona gestured toward Ean. “Ean is the majority owner. The town council members and I are confident that Ean and the other owners have the best interests of the town and the center’s businesses in mind.”
Megan managed to close her mouth. She turned to Ean. “Was this the reason for your business meeting Monday?”
“Yes.” Ean’s olive eyes were blank.
Megan wanted to curl into the fetal position, pull a blanket over her head, hide under the table. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” Ean’s tone was cool as he stood. “Thank you, Mayor McCloud.”
“Thank you, Ean.” Ramona sent Megan an empathetic look as she reclaimed her seat.
Ean looked around the table, but avoided Megan’s eyes. He feared he’d get lost in her gaze and not find his way back. “I realize this announcement comes as a surprise.”
“You’ve got that right,” Tilda barked. “Why didn’t you tell us you were planning this stunt?”