I’m just now realizing that he wasn’t just sticking up for me—he was making a pass at me.Talk about oblivious.
Well, he reminded me then that I was important, even if I didn’t have Crane money. With that, I was able to hold my head high instead of feeling inferior.
The pep talk he gave me in the bedroom was the boost of confidence I needed to get myself together. I was top of my class in law school and I’ve won cases other attorneys deemed impossible.
I just have a hard time fighting for the bad guy. Criminal law was not the area of practice I should have gone into. That’s my mistake.
Now, I have an important case to win—my own. I may relocate the coffee shop if it comes to it, but I refuse to be bullied out of it.
“Okay, babe, so his dad should have transferred power over to him, which would not be considered a sale. What he did, however, was process it as a sale, far below value, so that he could get out of his lease agreements. He’s manipulating the system to bully his tenants. To bully me.”
He looks at me with admiration and I just want to tear his clothes off. “So, what’s the plan?”
“I drafted a brief and sent to his attorney. There are gray areas because he technically didn’t do anything wrong. What he did was unethical but not against the law. He may claim he had reasons for processing it that way which have nothing to do with me or any other tenant, but we know that’s a lie. Either way, if they don’t do right by us, I will make the case public, file a lawsuit against him, and make a lot of nois—and we both know their family does not need any more drama,” I say, raising both eyebrows.
“Yeah, especially with his brother’s mayoral race—they can’t afford a bad rap. Besides, they need my family’s support, so the minute they find out he’s messing with my girl, I’m sure they’ll put an end to it. If not, there’s a kickass attorney on the case,” he says, and I can’t help but stop and smile at him.
“Exactly,” I say, giving him a kiss on the forehead.
“Wait, I forgot to tell you something,” he says, pulling me into his lap and pretending to whisper something in my ear before nibbling on it. Then he places his hands under my shirt and begins squeezing my breast. Before I know it, we’re a hot tangled mess, and what was a productive workday turns into something else entirely.
* * *
“What do you mean, it’s been resolved?” I ask Shireen.
“I mean, the building owner is backing off. He didn’t tell me why, but he claims he wants nothing to do with the building and is willing to sell it to the current tenant at market value. You must be really lucky,” she tells me.
Yeah, I’m not. What I do have is a nosy billionaire boyfriend that I’m going to kill. I did send the brief over, but it’s been two days. I tried contacting his attorney just yesterday and his assistant said he was out of town for the rest of the week.
I’m sure it would take more than two days, while on vacation, for him to respond. This sounds like the work of a billionaire with power who meddled when I specifically asked him not to.
“Thanks for all the help, Shireen. I’ll call you later.”
I hang up, and for the entirety of the day, my emotions shift from relief to gratitude to anger to relief again. The thought of losing the coffee shop is unbearable. Mostly because I already consider it Noah’s. My parents worked so hard to build this place up and it hurt that I might have lost it.
But regardless of that, I never asked Michael for his help. He’s always playing hero, but I didn’t need him to be. By the time he arrives at my house for movie night, the only thing I’m feeling is anger.
Noah’s in the living room setting up for the movie when I pull his dad into my bedroom behind me and lock the door.
“So, I got an interesting call today,” I start.
He looks confused.
“Okay…” he prompts.
“I’m not losing the coffee shop. Apparently, the owner changed his mind. He doesn’t want to demolish the building after all.”
A slow grin forms on Michael’s face.
“Baby, that’s awesome. I knew it would work out.”
I arch an eyebrow. “Do you think I’m stupid?”
His smile falls in the next breath. “Christine—”
“No. I specifically told you that I didn’t want your help. I can’t keep depending on you or your money to fix everything that’s wrong in my life.”
“First, I had nothing to do with that. Second, why can’t you depend on me? I’m here for you, babe. You are an incredible woman and you’ve given me the most amazing gift of having a son. Why not let me be here for you?” he challenges. He wraps his arms around my waist and pulls me closer. “My money is your money now.”