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Alan Bloom was a vital component to my project. Anytime I brought him on board, I struck gold. When he agreed to invest in the Harlow project, I knew it would succeed.
“Sorry to bother you at this late hour, but something tells me you work well into the night.”
Usually. Ivy stirred next to me but didn’t open her eyes.
“I’m awake.” I set my book on the nightstand. “What can I do for you?”
“I normally wouldn’t let gossip bother me,” he said. “But I’m leaving on a cruise to Greece in a few hours, and I wanted to clear something up.”
“What would that be?” I asked.
“It’s come to my attention that you don’t possess the necessary property to move forward with the plans you and I discussed.”
“Hmm…” How did that come to his attention? “I told you when we discussed my initial plan, I wasn’t finished acquiring all the properties.”
“That was two months ago, and while you may have secured most of them, you don’t have the one that we need for my restaurants. We can’t exactly build lakefront dining if you can’t guarantee that we can put dining on the lake. Can we?”
“This isn’t a concern for you,” I said. “It’s my job to secure everything we need. I said I would do it, and I will.”
“When?”
“These things require patience. You know that better than anyone.” I was behind schedule on completing my end of the deal, but that couldn’t be helped. “I’m in negotiations to bring shops near these restaurants, so I can assure you, I will get the job done.”
“I know if anyone can do it, it’s you, but I have to be honest.”
“By all means.”
“Another opportunity has presented itself, and I’m telling you this because we have a strong business relationship and I respect you.”
“What opportunity?” I asked.
“I’ve been approached to invest in a winery in California. I need to commit by the beginning of January. I’m close to retirement and I have no desire to take on two large projects at the same time.”
“You know if you work with me, it will be a slam dunk,” I said. “I’ve never disappointed you.”
“Well, a winery in California isn’t exactly a bad move either.”
“No, it isn’t.” But I needed him to keep his money in Connecticut.
“I want to stick with you, Huxley.”
“You won’t regret that.”
“My restaurants will enhance your project and give you the edge you need. But I have to make a decision.” He sighed. “Stay with you in Connecticut or back an up-and-coming entrepreneur in LA.”
“You know I’m a sure thing.”
“Not without the lake access. Without it, I can’t commit.”
“I’ll get it.” I glanced at the one thing standing in my way, sleeping so soundly. She didn’t have a care in the world because I convinced her she didn’t have to. “Before the first of the year.”
Business is business. I’ve always known that…
TWENTY-TWO
Ivy
These past few days with Huxley had been a dream come true. Spending time with him and getting to know him made me realize how much I had been missing out on. It was time for me to take a chance on him. I had to let go of any apprehensions and let my heart lead the way.
