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“You’ll be able to live here, but this is a big investment for me,” he said. “Especially when Huxley’s community is up and running. He’ll be the giant and we’ll be a small business, trying to compete for scraps.”
“It sounds hopeless.”
“It’s an opportunity for you to do what my mother wanted you to do.” He nodded. “I’ll give you a chance to make it happen. If it doesn’t work out in a reasonable amount of time, we’ll have to reevaluate.”
“What does that mean?”
“Let me talk it over with Kent and my attorney. We’ll come up with a plan for all of us that is fair and makes sense. The important thing is that this property, and all that comes with it, stays with us.”
You have something they want. That gives you all the control.
Huxley’s advice popped into my head, giving me the courage to speak up. If my uncles wanted to help me, they wouldn’t rush me in this decision.
“You can have your attorney draw up an initial agreement, but I’d like the proper time to review it and make an informed decision.” This is still my house. “I want to weigh all my options.”
“Just keep in mind that Huxley is not a viable option. He may have offered you two million dollars, but if you want to stay loyal to your family, to my mother, take my offer as a sign from her.”
“What?” How could he have… “This is a lot to take in.”
“Don’t look so stressed, Ivy.” He smiled. “Your grandmother loved Christmas. Did you know that’s why your mother named you Ivy?”
“Gram loved to decorate with it. She hung it all over the banister and mantel. She said it represented eternal life and I was the life this house needed.”
“I can feel her all around this house. I’m glad I stopped by.” He swiped the cookie container from the table. “You know what I think?”
“Not at all.”
“She would want you to come to Hawaii with us.” He nodded. “Now that I’m here and I see how much work this place needs, I think it will do you some good to get away. The kids will love it.”
“You want me to spend Christmas with your family?”
“It’s your family too.” He patted my shoulder. “Don’t forget that.”
FIFTEEN
Huxley
Getting into the city took longer than anticipated. I hadn’t meant to drive in as late as I had, but leaving Ivy in my bed proved to be more difficult than I thought it would be. I’d have to find a solution for that.
I was on the verge of the biggest move of my career. Conceiving this plan, securing the location, and acquiring the properties as quickly as I had in a residential area that was also zoned for a commercial opportunity was unprecedented.
Losing focus wasn’t an option. Not now.
Ivy had come into my life at an inconvenient time, but that didn’t mean I couldn’t keep her there. Our relationship had its own challenges. I had never been involved in an intimate entanglement with a potential business prospect, but I was also never one to back down from a complicated situation.
“Mr. James.” Crystal stood when I stepped off the elevator. “Should I make your coffee?”
“That won’t be necessary.” I unbuttoned my coat. “I grabbed a cup for my drive in. I’m fine for now.”
“Okay.” She held out her arm for my coat. “I can hang that for you.”
“Thank you.” I handed it to her.
“Angelica is waiting for you in your office.” She went to the closet by the elevator. “She’s been asking for you every ten minutes.”
“Has she?” I sighed. “Thanks for the warning.”
My attorney had texted me three times and called me once. After last night’s display of defiance on her part, I wasn’t in the mood to deal with her before now. Last night and this morning had been too pleasurable for me to allow Angelica to ruin it.
