Chapter Thirty
CAMI
Over the next few weeks, I worked hard to find another space for my new business. I'd decided that I didn't want to deal with Bill in any capacity, not even as a landlord. The man simply liked to push my buttons. Well, not mine specifically; he liked to do that with anyone in order to get his way.
He did not take it well when I told him I wasn't going to rent the space from him. I'd emailed him because I'd been in no mood to have a conversation on the topic. His response had been as I’d expected.
Cami, you're making a mistake. This is the best you'll find.
Well, he could shove his opinion right up his ass. I didn't write that, of course, because he was still on the town council and had to sign any permits I’d need for my future business. But I'd really wanted to.
Bill was right in one respect. I didn't find a location that was as good as his. But what I did find came pretty close to perfect.
It was two blocks off the main street, so it wasn’t exactly on the beaten path. However, the rent was much lower, so I called that a win. And the cherry on top was that my landlady was my old English teacher.
We'd signed the contract quickly, but I was still waiting for the permits in order to start the necessary remodeling. I was supposed to receive them last week, but no one answered when I called the council, so I was paying a personal visit today.
"Hello, snow," I chanted as I got out of the car, taking a deep breath. It smelled like winter even though we'd only just had Thanksgiving.
In the past, I would have panicked at the prospect of such an early winter, but not anymore.
I was looking forward to enjoying a cozy Christmas season.
Since signing those papers, I’d felt completely free.
It was what I'd needed for a long time, but I just hadn't realized it.
The prospect of starting over with a blank slate was exhilarating.
I walked inside Miss Walker's coffee shop to buy my favorite winter drink—hot fudge chocolate mocha. It was her own creation. And in my humble opinion, it was the absolute best drink. I couldn't understand how she wasn't world-famous for it.
I stood in line, patiently waiting for my turn. Whenever there was a snowy day, you could bet there was a line here. That was good. I was very happy for her.
"Morning, Cami," she said when I reached the counter. "Your usual?"
"Yes, please."
"I'm in a good mood today," she admitted. "Want some extra caramel sauce?"
"Whatever you want to put in it is fine by me. I trust your gut instinct."
I'd never, not once, drunk anything she made that wasn't absolutely delicious. This was no different. I couldn't help myself and took a taste before I'd even paid for it.
"Yum," I exclaimed.
This day was absolutely fantastic. I was heading to the local council next to check on the approval for my business. Some things moved faster if you showed up in person. This was one of them. Luckily, there was no line when I arrived, so hopefully I could get in and out quickly.
I headed straight to Greta, who was handling permits.
"Cami," she greeted. She'd been in the same year in high school as me, although she'd been in a different class.
"Hi. I came to check on my permit."
"I'm so sorry. I've gotten a bit behind on my work. I was down with the flu last week."
"Oh." I winced. That was why she hadn't answered her phone. "I'm sorry for pestering you."
She shook her head. "No, no, don't apologize. I promised I'd get it to you last week. I'll do my best to have it ready tomorrow, okay? Everything's already been approved. I just need to process it."
"All right," I said, feeling giddy already. Realistically, I knew I could never open by Christmas, and even if I could, it would probably just be an empty space… but I wanted to get things moving before then.
"I'll call you when it's ready. You don't have to waste your time coming all the way over here," Greta said.
I couldn't decipher if she really meant that or if she just didn't want me breathing down her neck. Regardless, I wasn't going to show up here again because I knew being extra pushy wasn't helpful.
"All right. Have a great day, Greta," I said.
As I turned around, I heard someone moving behind me.
"Cami," Bill said, coming out of one of the offices. "I thought that was your voice."
"Hi, Bill."
I averted my gaze. I hadn’t run into him since informing him that I wasn't going to rent his place after all.
"I was hoping we could talk," he said. "I happen to have a free moment now before my next appointment. Would you like to come into my office?"
"Um, listen, if it's about the space for rent—"
"It's not. It's about the park."
I frowned. "We already signed the papers."
"I know, but I think there is something you should know."
"I suppose I have some time," I said, my stomach clenching.
He showed me to his office. I’d never been in here before. It was far smaller than I'd imagined and very stuffy. There were documents everywhere, his desk practically covered in paper.
My God, they really haven't moved into the digital era here.
"Have a seat.” He pointed at the chair opposite his.
"Um, I think I'll stand. Will this take long?"
"No, but you might want to sit anyway."
I broke out in a sweat, then sat down. Watching him intently, I took a sip from my cup.
He trained his eyes on me and said, "What I'm telling you has to stay between us."
"Why?" I asked.
"It's confidential, and strictly speaking, I shouldn't be telling you this."
"Then why are you?"
"Because I know how much you care about the park."
I swallowed hard, my throat constricted. "What about it?"
"You put your trust in the wrong people."
"Not this shit again, Bill." I rose to my feet. "Listen, I know you don't like Maddox, but I’ll stand by him.”
"You're right, I don't. I don't like him or his brother. I think they believe they're above everyone just because they're extremely rich."
"They are very down-to-earth, honest people. I’ve met the whole family and can vouch for them."
"Ha! Well, I'm sorry to disappoint you, but they're anything but. Didn't you say Maddox Whitley promised not to cut down your precious trees?"
"Yes, and I saw the plans for it too."
"Then you'll be surprised to learn that they submitted other plans, no matter what they showed you."
"That's impossible. It was an annex to the contract I signed."
He smirked. "Well, they can always say you misunderstood the annex or the legal jargon."
I shook my head. "I don't believe you. I'm sorry, but I don't. I know how much you dislike them."
"You're calling me a liar?" he said. "We've known each other our whole lives."
I breathed through my nose slowly, trying to keep calm.
"I’m not calling you anything, but I trust Maddox," I replied.
He reached for one of the folders, taking out some documents. He put them right in front of me, showing me the plan of the park.
It wasn’t the one Maddox and I went over. Instead, it was the one Dad showed me all those months ago—the one I’d flat-out refused. My breath got stuck in my throat.
“I knew it,” Bill said triumphantly. "This isn't what you agreed to, is it?"
I looked up at him. I deeply disliked Bill, and I didn’t trust him. How did he get his hands on these documents?
I grasped the cup tighter in my hands; I was shaking, and I didn't want him to see it.
"You were right," I told him. "You weren't supposed to show me this. It’s confidential, after all."
His smile fell immediately, and his eyes went cold. "Cami, this is a courtesy to an old friend."
I shook my head. "We were never friends."
"No, you're right," he said. "I've always wanted more. And in time, I’ll wear you down.”
I couldn’t believe he was still going on about that. I’d never had any interest in him and never would, and his persistence was getting creepy.
“Clearly, you can see you can’t trust Whitley. He's a snake.”
“I’d appreciate it if you’d stop talking about Maddox like that."
"You defend him even when you have proof that he lied to you."
His words sliced through me. Maddox had been so adamant about making those changes, about preserving Mom's legacy. He wouldn't do it. He wouldn't lie to me. This had to be something else. Maybe they didn’t have time to get the new plans to the council.
“My relationship with Maddox is none of your concern," I said. "I think it’s best I leave. Have a great day, Bill."
I left his office before he could add anything else. I hurried past Greta, who asked me something, but I was moving so quickly that I didn’t hear what she said. I needed fresh air.
Once I was outside, I exhaled sharply and then took a deep breath through my mouth. Closing my eyes, I tilted my head back. The snowflakes fell on my skin. It calmed me down, though that plan was dancing behind my eyes, mocking me.
I opened my eyes and headed straight to my car. I was still shaking. Now I was cold, too, on top of being angry. Climbing inside, I turned on the heat and wrapped my arms around my torso. I wanted to call Maddox but decided against it. I needed to talk to him face-to-face.
He'd told me he was going to be in his office today, so that was where I was heading. The snow was even worse in Boston, but thankfully the plows were out and about, so the streets weren’t too horrible.
It was only when I entered the city that I realized I didn't actually know where his office was.
I bit the inside of my cheek and then decided to text Natalie.
Cami: Hey, it's Cami. I want to surprise Maddox at the office. Can you give me the address?
She responded a few minutes later.
Natalie: Sure, here you go.
I plugged the address she provided into my GPS and headed straight there.
The city was in full Christmas mode already. Decorations had popped up everywhere, making it unrecognizable from the last time I'd visited.