Some decisions are already obvious.
It’s a cold, hard fact, but real estate is value, and people are replaceable.Even celebrities and social influencers, despite how important they think they are.There is always someone else waiting in the wings.
The only way to survive in this cold, hard world is to create something of value and be willing to pivot when that value changes.
I don’t make the rules.
I just play within and change when necessary.
“I hope you’re going to help Gemma get Open Leaf thriving again,” Maureen, the store manager, says.
I almost laugh.
She thinks I’m here to help Gemma.
“How long have you worked for the Ford family, Maureen?”I ask before Gemma has the chance to correct her.
“Fifteen years, sir.I started when I was in my twenties, working for Mrs.Ford’s father-in-law.I’ve been loyal all these years.”
I hear what she’s saying...please don’t fire me.
“Very admirable.”I reply instead ofvery stupid.
I don’t mean that entirely.
Loyal, long-serving employees are important to companies.They save them substantial money in recruitment and other hidden costs.Still, no one ever got rich working for the taxman all their life.
Then again, not everyone can be self-employed.
I’m just grumpy I can’t drag Gemma home and fuck her for the rest of the afternoon.
“I’m going to show Mr.Carrington around; don’t let us interrupt you.”Gemma rubs Maureen’s arm affectionately.
I lower my brows.
Am I wrong about Gemma?Does she know, deep down, how this is going to end?That I’m essentially pulling the company apart and it won’t be recognizable at the end?
I’m not sure.
We walk about the store, and I ask questions.Gemma answers.I feel her trepidation, but I also feel the warmth of her body as we bump shoulders and how the chemistry we’re both navigating doesn’t take a break for a minute.
The warmth in her eyes returns when we reach the children’s story area.I smile as her face lights up and feel my chest hitch.
Then she speaks, and I want to grab her and take the words away from her.
“Anthony proposed to me here.When the store was closed.”
My teeth grind together as her eyes dip to her rings.It should not matter to me either way, but I hate hearing at the fucking guy.
“You made the right decision,” I say.“To sell.”
“It doesn’t feel that way.”
Her eyes lift to mine, and for the first time, I see her vulnerability.I feel it in my chest as my fists clench, so I don’t reach out to her.
In this private moment, hidden away at the back of the store, I want to kiss her.I have no right to do that, especially not where she has this private memory with her husband, but I want to.I want to steal it and make it mine.
I want her—
