The Property Brokers by Sandi Lynn
Chapter 34
Myles
I was sitting at my desk talking with Grant when Cassandra busted into my office.
“There you are,” she said.
“Cassandra, what are you doing here?”
“Did you just think that because you couldn’t bother returning my text messages and phone calls for the last week that I would just go away?!”
Grant looked at me with an uncomfortable look and stood up from his chair.
“I have a meeting to get to. I’ll talk to you later, Dad. Cassandra, it was nice seeing you again.”
“You too, Grant. I’m sorry.” She looked at him.
“No. No. It’s okay.”
He left my office and the second he shut the door, Cassandra threw her purse down on the chair.
“I don’t know what the hell is going on, but I want answers!” she shouted.
“I’m sorry, Cassandra, but I’ve been really busy with work. It’s been a crazy week.”
“Bullshit! I go out with you, I have sex with you, you take me on a business trip and then I don’t hear from you. What the fuck, Myles? Are you ghosting me?”
“Ghosting you? What the hell does that even mean?”
“Please just tell me what’s going on. I miss you,” she spoke in a calm manner.
I inhaled a sharp breath as I stood up from my seat and tucked my hands in my pants pockets.
“Cassandra, I don’t want to hurt you.”
“Hurt me? You’ve already done that, mister.”
“I think things are moving too fast and we need to take a break.”
“Take a break? What the hell did I do, Myles?”
“You didn’t do anything. I just think it’s best we don’t see each other anymore.”
She stood there with a look of shock as her eyes filled with tears.
“So, everything we shared over the past month didn’t matter to you? You were using me?”
“No. I wasn’t using you. My life is going in a different direction and you’re not a part of it. I’m sorry.”
“You’re nothing but an asshole, Myles Roman! You were the first man since my husband’s death that I gave my heart to. I fell in love with you.” The tears fell down her face. “We had the best time in Chicago together. We were happy, and now this? You just cut me off as if I never existed? Well, fuck you, Myles. I hope you have a miserable life.” She grabbed her purse and stormed out of my office.
I took in a deep breath as I walked over to the window and stared out at the city. She’ll be fine. She was a strong woman and she’d get over me. But I wasn’t so sure if I’d ever get over her.
* * *
Bella
When the elevator stopped on my floor and the doors opened, I saw Cassandra standing there in tears.
“Cassandra?” I stepped inside. “What’s wrong?”
“Men.”
“Did something happen between you and Myles?” I asked as the elevator made its way to the lobby.
“He doesn’t want to see me anymore.”
I reached in my purse, grabbed a tissue and handed it to her.
“Why?”
“He said his life is going in a different direction and I’m not a part of it. Do you believe that?”
I wanted to tell her I did.
“I’m so sorry. I thought you guys had a great time in Chicago?”
“We did and that’s what I don’t understand,” she cried.
We stepped into the lobby and headed out of the building.
“He said things were moving too fast. But he’s the one who asked me to go with him on that trip. When we got back, I hadn’t heard from him, so I texted him and when he didn’t respond, I called him. He never answered or called me back. It’s been a week and I wanted answers. So, I came here because I knew he’d be here.”
“I’m so sorry, Cassandra.” I hooked my arm around her. “Maybe he’s just not thinking clearly right now.”
“I don’t care. He’s an asshole. I haven’t seen this side of him before. It was like he was a whole different person. The way he talked to me. His tone was so cold. It was like he never felt a thing for me. Anyway, thanks for listening. I have to go.”
“Please call me if you want to talk.”
“I will. Thanks, Bella.” She gave me a hug.
I let out a sigh as I climbed in the car and Samuel drove me to the showing I had scheduled. While I was at Harry’s apartment waiting for Ken and his client to show up, I pulled out my phone and called Grant.
“Hello, gorgeous.”
“Hi. Where are you?”
“I just left a showing on East 79th. Why?”
“Oh good. You’re close. I’m over at Harry’s. Can you stop by?”
“Sure. Is everything okay?”
“Yeah. Everything’s fine. Ken and his client just came in. I’ll see you soon.”
As I was showing Ken’s buyers the apartment, I heard the elevator ding and Grant stepped out.
“Give me one second,” I said to him as I held my finger up.
“My clients are obsessed with this apartment. I’m confident they’re going to put in an offer,” Ken said.
“I hope so. But it can’t be a low offer. I’m just telling you now.”
“Understood. Thanks, Bella. I’ll be in touch.”
When they stepped on the elevator and the doors closed, I walked over to Grant and smacked his chest.
“Ouch. What was that for?”
“You Roman men are unbelievable.”
“What are you talking about?” His brows furrowed. “What did I do?”
“You did nothing. It’s your father.”
“What did he do?”
“I’ll tell you what he did. He broke it off with Cassandra. He told her that his life was going in a different direction, and she wasn’t a part of it.”
“Oh boy.” He let out a sigh. “I knew something like that was going to happen. When I was sitting in his office, she stormed in and demanded answers.”
“So, what are you going to do about it?” I asked as I placed my hands on my hips.
“Me?” He pointed to himself. “There’s nothing I can do if he feels that way.”
“You should have seen her, Grant. She was so heartbroken and crying. I felt so bad for her because I know exactly how she feels.” I cocked my head. “Myles is out of touch with his feelings. He adores her and you know it. You need to have a talk with him.”
Suddenly my phone dinged and there was a text message from Ken.
“My clients want the apartment. They’re offering $18.5 cash, and they’re asking for the custom light fixtures in the bathroom, the dining table and the bar stools.”
“Fuck me,” I said out loud.
“Really? Right here?” Grant grinned.
I smacked his chest again.
“No. The couple that was just here is offering $18.5 cash, plus they want the bathroom lights, dining table and bar stools.”
My phone dinged again, and when I looked at it, my jaw dropped.
“What is it?”
“Lisa just texted me and said her clients want to put in an offer for this place. I showed it to them a couple days ago. They’re offering $19 million with financing and they’re asking for the bar stools.” I walked over to the island in the kitchen and pulled out one of the stools. “What is so special about these stools?” I looked at Grant.
“I have no idea. But you just got yourself into a bidding war.” He grinned, and I did a little dance.
I dialed Ken’s number.
“Ken, it’s Bella. You have to get your clients to go up. I’ll talk to the owner about the additional items, but he won’t accept $18.5, and your clients need to act fast. Another offer just came in.”
“I’ll get on it right away, Bella. Thank you.”
I dialed Lisa’s number and told her the same thing. When Grant and I stepped on the elevator, he pushed the button to the lobby and then he pushed me against the wall and placed his face mere inches from mine.
“I’ll talk to my dad, but you have to promise me something.”
“What?” I smiled.
“That you’ll stay out of it.” He kissed my lips.
“Okay. I’ll stay out of it,” I whispered as I crossed my fingers behind my back.
Grant walked me to the car and gave me a kiss goodbye.
“I have another showing, so I’ll see you back at the office.”
“Okay.” I smiled. “I love you.”
“I love you too, babe.”
He shut the door and Samuel drove me back to the office. I had just stepped inside when Cody came running in.
“Bella, where’s Grant?”
“He’s at a showing.” I set my purse down.
“That woman is back again.”
“Again?” I furrowed my brows. “Just send her in. Maybe I can help her with something.”
A moment later, an older woman with long dark hair stepped in.
“Hi. I’m Bella Marcus.” I extended my hand to her. “You are?”
“Olivia West.” She lightly shook my hand.
“Grant is at a meeting, but I might be able to help you. I know you were here the other day.”
“I need to see Grant,” she spoke as she looked around his office. “Do you know when he’ll be back?”
“I really can’t say. I’m sorry.”
“I see.” She walked over to his desk and picked up the framed picture of us.
“Are you his wife?” She glanced up from the picture.
“Uh, no. I’m his girlfriend.” I narrowed my eye at her.
She turned around and set the picture back on his desk. Then picked up the one of him and Myles.
“How do you know Grant?” I asked with caution.
“I’m his mother.” She turned around and looked at me.
“Oh.” I swallowed the lump in my throat.
“Hey, Bella,” Myles spoke and then stopped when he saw Olivia standing there.
“Hello, Myles.”
“Olivia?”
