“Hello to you, too,” I reply to Daniel’s tirade.
“I’m right, though. Aren’t I? It didn’t go as you hoped?”
I part my lips, about to tell him just how horribly it went and insist he come home early because this is too important of a deal to lose out on.
Daniel’s the salesman between the two of us. I’ve often said he could sell a glass of water to a drowning man. He has a way of charming people into giving him what he wants.
Not me. I’ve always been more reserved. More analytical. I love numbers. Love looking at data and predicting an outcome based on facts and statistics. It’s safe. Predictable. Certain.
I hate the idea of leaving anything to chance. Of not having complete control.
“Do you ever put something out into the universe in the hopes it’s listening and will grant your wish or whatever?” I ask, my question leaving my mouth before I can stop it.
“Like manifestation?”
“Sure. Whatever,” I respond somewhat dismissively, not wanting him to think I’ve spent any time researching manifestation. Or reading books about it. Because I absolutely did nothing like that at all last night, despite what my eBook purchase and internet search history may indicate.
“Hannah’s a pretty strong believer in it,” he says, talking about his now wife. “Negative thoughts attract negative energy. So positive thoughts will attract positive energy.”
I nod, having learned quite a bit about the law of attraction last night, regardless of whether I’m willing to admit it. Or actually believe any of it.
Although, for a split second, I wonder if that could be the reason for all the horrible shit I’ve endured in my life. That my negative outlook may have caused it all.
But I quickly brush it off.
“Do you really think that makes any difference?”
“Where is this coming from?”
“This woman…” I push out an aggravated breath, rubbing my temples. “Parker Holley.” Her name comes out with a growl. Still, I can’t ignore the warmth filling me from her name on my lips.
“She refused to look at the reality that her property will go to auction if she can’t come up with the money she owes. And there’s no realistic chance she’ll be able to do that in the next four weeks. Instead, she kept going on about putting positive vibes out into the universe as a reason for refusing my offer.”
“And you’re sure it had nothing to do with your charming personality?” Daniel deadpans.
“I was just being practical. She wouldn’t even listen to what I had to say about all the money she was wasting on the Christmas festival.”
“So, let me get this straight. You went to see her in the hopes of getting her to sell us this piece of property that could potentially make us upwards of nine figures, then proceeded to insult her business practices?”
“I simply pointed out that she’s not making wise decisions. That she doesn’t just need a life preserver but an entire lifeboat. We’re offering her precisely that.”
Daniel releases a long sigh. “The problem is that you only see black and white, Callum. That’s how you’ve always been.”
“There onlyisblack and white here. Shewilllose her property in January.”
“You look at the numbers and think it’s impossible for her to come up with the funds she needs to keep her property. This isn’t a simple equation for her. Not when she’s still hoping for a miracle. This is more than just numbers to her, Cal. It’s personal.”
“I’m trying to buy a piece of property she owns. It’salwayspersonal.”
“But sometimes it’s more personal. Like here. You did your research when coming up with the initial offer. You know this property has been in her family for generations. It’s going to take more than just showing up with a distant attitude and spreadsheets of numbers for her to warm up to the idea of selling.”
“Maybe you should come home from your honeymoon early so you can handle this,” I remark, half joking. Half serious.
“Not a chance in hell.” He barks out a laugh. “You’re a big boy. You can handle it. But you’ll need to change tactics.”
“How do you suggest I do that?”
“Since it’s personal to her, you need to, dare I say it, get to know her as a person. Not a faceless name who owns a piece of property. You look at all those acres and see dollar signs. Or the amount of debt she owes. She looks at it and sees all the memories it holds.”
