“I was busy, Seb,” Holly said, hollowed out. “Doing my job.” Clinging to her anger, she held her ground. “Doing the one thing you were hoping I wouldn’t do. I was digging.” She drilled her finger into his chest. “Into you.”
Seb didn’t back down, instead he seemed to lean in. “You found the lease.”
“I did.”
His mouth flatlined. “And you’ve jumped to conclusions.”
“Have I?” She crossed her arms, lifted her chin, and dared him to contradict her.
“Holly, let me explain.”
“Explain what? That you’re hiding your new asset behind a holding company until you complete the sale to the developer? You still have to give ninety-days notice. Would’ve thought you’d be more attentive to details. Good grief, Seb.” She let her hands fall. “I told you about my father. I told you why secrets are my nemesis. And you sat there and let me wash your dog while you planned to sell us out.”
“You’re wrong.” He gritted it out. “How did you get wind of this? No.” He didn’t wait for a reply. “Not the point.” He scrubbed a hand along his stubbled jaw. “However you heard about it before I did, I’m sorry.”
“What?” She caught herself. “Before you did?”
“None of this is anything like what you’ve obviously assumed.” Seb stepped closer, hands raised in surrender. “I’ve been working all night with a new lawyer to sort this out. Marv wouldn’t listen, but your friend Willow did.”
Seb turned back and opened the door. Willow walked in. “It’s true, Holly.”
Willow didn’t look overtired, she was practically glowing with excitement. Baffled, Holly dropped into the nearest chair. “Well, speak slowly, then. Please.”
With a sympathetic smile Willow handed her a to-go cup. “Cafe and cocoa. I figured you needed something more than straight caffeine.”
Her friend knew her well. “Thanks.”
Willow and Seb exchanged a look and she gave him a nod of encouragement.
Holly sipped her drink, relishing the warmth as she waited.
“I never had any intention of developing the lighthouse or the land around it. My lawyer knew my wishes, but he was determined to protect me. He was more concerned about potential local backlash undermining the merger by becoming a liability instead of an asset.”
“So he transferred ownership without your consent?”
“Pretty much,” Seb said. “I wanted to talk to you about it.” He rolled his eyes. “Told myself we could talk after I was done with the merger. I know what transparency means to you. My team needed my focus.” He sighed. “I thought I had time.”
“And now?”
“My accountant won’t be happy.” Seb rolled his eyes and then he smiled at Willow. “But if that’s the worst casualty, I’ll take it. Thanks to new representation,” he gestured to Willow, “the lighthouse and the land around it will become a permanent conservancy for Brookwell Island.”
Holly studied him. This had cost him, big time. “And the merger?” she asked cautiously. She didn’t want him hurt personally or professionally, but she didn’t want to cause herself more pain and doubt either. No one was perfect, but she hoped that whatever he said next would make it easier to leave behind the anger and internal frustration she’d been wrestling all night.
“The truth?” He cocked a dark eyebrow.
“Always.”
“I’ve drawn up a counter-offer with Willow’s help. We expect both boards to sign off by the end of next week. We’ve ensured everyone’s jobs are protected on both sides.”
He reached for her, but Holly evaded the touch, unable to trust herself. “Good. Great.” Standing, she grabbed the cup Willow had brought her. “I’ll make sure Vince hears about the updates before we finalize the feature, Mr. Sterling.”
“Holly, don’t do that.”
But she walked away, pausing at the door. “Thanks, Willow. I hope you’ll tell Nico Billings so he can stop plotting.”
“Our next stop,” Willow said.
Holly believed her friend. Scared, her heart shaking, she bolted once again, but this time she didn’t have a clear direction or purpose.
