Page 23 of The Last Goodbye

I sliced the bread in thin slices. “Listen, slugger, how about you just take five, and I’ll make you a sandwich. Meanwhile, you can tell me all the ways I’m missing out on the opportunity of a lifetime. You came here to give me your spiel, and you’ve forced me to give you my attention. The floor is yours.”

“Just so you know, punching you in the face was not part of the plan.”

“So you say…” I said, my voice laced with humor.

“Okay, let’s do this.” A wide grin spread across her pretty face. I buttered both sides of the bread, dropped them on the skillet, and piled on the cheese. “So, we’ve already discussed that you’re going to have to relocate in two years. The surrounding lots have been purchased, so this plan is going to move forward—it’s just about the timeline. You would be missing a nice financial payout, one you will not receive if you wait. You hold all the power, Bass, so you can ask for whatever you want and play hardball.”

I glanced up at her as the butter sizzled in the pan. “Why would you tell me this?”

“Because we can both win in this situation. I want to close this deal, and I have the resources to make it worth your while. Getting started on the project two years early will be a profitable choice for us, so we have room to pay you for your cooperation.”

I flipped the sandwiches in the pan and thought over her words while I let the other sides get toasty. After I turned off the flame, I pulled up two barstools to the counter and set down our plates. I motioned for her to take a seat. “I only saw one building that I would consider on that list of available spaces you left with me. It was the only one even remotely comparable to this current location. Yes, the money you’ve offered would possibly cover the cost of the new building, but it would need extensive renovations. That’s expensive. And what about the cost to cover the loss of income during the months it will take me to get the new restaurant up and running again? And what am I supposed to do with all my employees? They can’t go without work for months at a time.”

She listened to me, then picked up her sandwich and groaned when she took a bite. And damn if the woman didn’t make eating a grilled cheese sandwich look sexy as hell.

She stood and grabbed a file from her large purse, then pulled out a piece of paper and handed it to me. “Is this the property you’re talking about? Just a few doors down from here, with similar water views?”

“Yep. That’s the one. And it’s been empty for years. I actually tried to purchase that building years ago when I purchased this one, because the land was included with that building, but that was also why it was more than I could afford at the time. And seeing as it’s been empty for years now, it will require a lot of work.” I reached for the bottle of sparkling water I’d set out and poured some into our two glasses, then pushed one toward her. “This all takes time and money.”

“There are ways around all of this, if you’d let me help you.”

“How exactly are you going to help?” I took a bite, savoring the cheese melting on my tongue.

“I’d negotiate the deal for you on the new building, and obviously that cost would be ours, and I’ll come up with a plan for the renovations. We do this for a living, and we are very familiar with these situations.” She shrugged.

“And the months that I’m out of business waiting to open my doors again?”

She reached for the napkin beside her plate and wiped her mouth. “I’ll think of something.”

“Well, you’ll need to, because I can’t just close my doors and be out of work for however long it takes to reopen.”

“Let me work on it.”

“What about the fact that you’ll be pissing off the locals by opening your monstrosity in our quaint little town?” My gaze locked with hers.

“That’s a small-minded way to look at what we’re doing.” She shrugged again. “How about the fact that we’re going to be opening tons of jobs up to locals. This hotel will allow for more tourists to visit, which will bring revenue to Blue Sky Bay. And people who want to stay at an Airbnb will still have that option to stay there. Our prices will probably be higher than theirs, so there will still be a market for them. I’ve done the research.”

She made some good points that I hadn’t considered.

“Has anyone ever told you that you’re exhausting, Magpie?” I asked, using my hand to cover the smile spreading across my face.

“Magpie? Did you seriously just compare me to a noisy and persistent bird?”

“It’s the first thing that comes to mind.” I shrugged, loving how much she hated the nickname. Her face scrunched, and she rolled her eyes.

“How about you just give me a chance to see if I can find a solution that you’re happy with?” She pulled her phone from her purse and handed it to me. “Can I get your number, so I don’t have to sleep outside your place of business and risk attacking you again?”

It was after one o’clock in the morning now, and I was exhausted.

“You’re lucky I’m tired.” I typed my number into her phone, glancing at the name. “Did you seriously put me in your phone under that ridiculous name?”

“It’s the first thing that comes to mind,” she said, leaning closer as a grin spread across her face. “McGrumpy.”

“I’d rather be called McGrumpy than to be compared to a bird that had to be exterminated in the 1920s due to conflict with humans.” I folded my arms over my chest confidently.

She immediately sent me a text so I’d have her number. “If you hadn’t noticed, their populations have increased, and they are certainly not extinct. But a bad personality? I don’t know, McGrumpy, that’s not something one can change so easily.”

I laughed. “Whatever you say, Magpie. And for the record, I’ll hear out your offer, but don’t get too confident. This is a long shot at best. I don’t plan on going anywhere.”