Chapter Seven #2
"Yes, please do. Some days I want to kill him, too, but then I remember I can't because he's my brother."
"Noted."
"Okay, then, my job here is done. I'll see you," he called to me. "Cami, nice to meet you," he said again before heading toward the front door.
I pulled a chair back and sat down as Cami watched my brother leave. Then she turned her gaze to me, licking her lips. I had to stop obsessing over her mouth.
"What in the world was that about?" she asked.
"That was my brother's attempt at helping," I said in a neutral tone, trying not to laugh. Leo’s antics were funny, but some people didn’t take them that way.
"Mmm," she said noncommittally, glancing at the menu. "We should order before that group there"—she pointed at the other end of the room—"or we’ll wait forever for our food."
"Sure, what's good here?" I asked.
"The house burger is a hit. As well as the beans as a side dish."
I glanced down at the menu. I didn't like beans, but I found fries, which I enjoyed.
Cami waved at someone, and a waiter joined us.
"Hi, Cami. What can I get you?" He looked at me and then at Cami.
"Bart, this is Maddox Whitley."
The guy narrowed his eyes infinitesimally
"You're the one who wants to build that fancy-ass distillery and hotel."
"Yeah, that's me," I said. "Pleased to meet you."
He just grunted.
Oh, for fuck's sake.
"What can I get you?" he asked again.
"I'll have the house burger and beans," Cami said.
"I’d like a Coke, the house burger, and fries," I added.
"Very good. Be right back with your orders." He turned on his heel and headed toward the kitchen.
"So, what brings you here?" she asked once we were alone.
I leaned back in my chair. "My brothers and I met with the architect. We’ve finalized the plans for the hotel but not those of the other lot. He’d already drawn up the initial plans, the ones we sent your Dad, but—"
I stopped because her shoulders stiffened. She licked her lips, pushing a strand of her red hair behind her ear. I found myself wondering if she liked to go out with wet hair in the morning after her shower.
"Listen, I've asked the architect if he can alter the plans so the hotel's garden would include the trees—your forest—as is. We would not develop that area. He said it's possible."
Cami blinked. "But… you already paid for a set of plans."
I looked at her intently. Her eyes had widened slightly, and I could see she was pleased. "Nothing's set in stone. Even after we get the property—"
"If you get it."
I smiled. "You’re right. If we get it, it still needs to get approved by the local council and so on. At any rate, I've instructed the architect to prepare another plan. Would that idea make you more eager to sell?"
She raised a brow. "Why would you even go through that trouble? It must be costing you a fortune.”
"Because it's important to me for this deal to go through," I said. Even as I spoke, I knew it went deeper than that. But I didn't want to explore those reasons.
The waiter brought our food and the drinks at the same time.
"I'm impressed with the speed," I said.
Cami nodded. "Trust me, it's good that we got the order before the other group."
"You didn't answer my question.”
She snapped her gaze up, and I immediately felt bad for my terse comment.
Damn it, why do I do that?
"I'd have to talk to Dad. But yes, part of the reason I was resisting the sale is because I didn't want the land altered."
"I understand, but what's the other part?" I asked even though I had an inkling from what Samuel had told me.
She took a sip of soda, looking me straight in the eyes. "That's a very personal question."
"Right," I replied. "But if I don't know, I can't fix it."
She laughed. "You can't fix everything, Maddox. But I’ll think about it. The fact that you're even willing to contemplate changing the plans earns you a few points. Will Leo be involved in running things with you and Gabe?"
I shook my head as I swallowed a mouthful of burger. It was fantastic. I planned to visit all the restaurants on Main Street before we opened so we could give guests recommendations.
But I was getting ahead of myself.
"No, he just helped us with the property. He tagged along today because he wanted to take a look at Essex."
"Hmm," she said, and her green eyes drew me in. This woman had it all, and I wanted to get to know her better.
"You don't believe me." I grinned, and that earned me smile.
"Well, you did show up with your grandmother at the park and now somehow ran into me with your brother. Forgive me for thinking that it's all premeditated."
She gave me a little wink, and it was my turn to laugh. "I'll put all my cards on the table."
On instinct, I leaned in closer, and she didn't pull back.
"The visit with Gran was premeditated. She had a plan. As for today, it really was serendipity. We just wanted to grab a bite."
She smiled slowly. "I believe you." She pursed her lips. "Wait, you said your grandmother had a plan. What was it?"
I looked at her intently, weighing the pros and cons of informing her about my grandmother's matchmaking tendencies. But that would require a full history of my family, and even so, she'd probably think we were insane.
"She hasn't confirmed anything. At this point, I'm only guessing. But she likes you."
Her eyes were incredulous. "She only met me once."
"She makes up her mind fast."
"You're close to your grandma?" I could tell that pleased Cami.
"Yes. Believe it or not, I'm not an ogre. I'm close to everyone in my family."
She smiled at that. I was hoping this conversation was putting us in a friendlier territory. And not just to help with negotiations either.
"You've got more siblings besides Gabe and Leo?"
"A bunch. Nick, Jake, Colton, Cade, and Spencer."
"You're serious?" The shock on her face had me smiling again.
"You didn't google the Whitley family? It’s huge with unusual family history."
Cami frowned. "It never even occurred to me."
"Well, that's about all of us. Plus our grandparents. We're all very close. And extremely competitive."
"Aha," she said. "Let me guess: you're the type who plays to win, not just to enjoy the game."
I tilted my head, studying her. She was definitely more relaxed now.
I wasn't a fool; I knew I hadn't won the battle.
She'd told me that my idea of preserving the forest only solved part of the problem, so I wasn't calling this a victory yet.
Still, we'd managed to have dinner without pissing each other off. I was taking that as a win.
"It depends. I'm adaptable."
She smiled. "How good is your darts game?"
"I'm no slouch." Where is she going with this?
She nodded toward the other end of the room where there were several dart stations. "Then once we're done eating, we can play."
"And if I win," I said carefully, weighing my words, "you'll tell me what the other part of the problem is in selling your place."
"Fine." A smile played on her lips.
"You answered far too quickly."
She grinned. "That's because I hold a five-year winning streak at darts. I'm the undisputed champion of Essex."