The Property Brokers by Sandi Lynn
Chapter 39
Myles
After I made a few phone calls, I found out Tatum Sterling of Sterling Development was the one who bought the building. I’d known Tatum for years. We were no longer friends. We hadn’t been for years, but I suspected he still considered me an enemy. I’d go to his office first thing in the morning and talk to him about selling me the building. I knew how much that bakery meant to her, and I wasn’t as cold-hearted as Bella thought I was. Especially when it came to Cassandra.
I was on my way back to my penthouse from grabbing some Indian food around the corner. It was close to the building, so I always walked. As I was walking down the street, up ahead I saw Grant and Bella walking hand in hand towards the building. They were laughing and then Bella laid her head on his shoulder. It reminded me of when Casandra and I were in Chicago. When we went to Navy Pier, took a river cruise, and went to the Field Museum of Natural History. We visited art galleries and ate great food. But the trip wouldn’t have been complete unless we did some shopping. I’d never been more relaxed as I was when I was with her, and she made me laugh more than any women ever had.
I waited for Grant and Bella to step into the elevator before going into the building because I didn’t want to interrupt their moment together. When I stepped into my penthouse, I took my food out of the bag, poured a glass of scotch and sat down at the table. It was at that moment I’d never felt so alone. It hit me like a wave violently crashing into the shore.
* * *
Before I headed to Sterling Development, I gave Tatum Sterling a call.
“Sterling here,” he answered.
“Tatum, it’s Myles Roman.”
“Myles Roman. This is certainly a surprise.”
“Are you at your office? I need to speak with you.”
“I just got in. What’s this about?”
“We’ll talk when I get there. I’m on my way.”
“Okay. I guess I’ll see you soon.”
“That isn’t the Tatum Sterling you—”
“It sure is, Mitch.”
“Good luck, Myles.”
Mitch dropped me off, and I took the elevator up to the twenty-third floor. When I approached his office, I took in a long deep breath. His secretary wasn’t at her desk, so I lightly knocked on the door and opened it.
“Myles Roman.” He stood up from his chair. “I’d shake your hand but the last time I did that you screwed me.”
“That was a long time ago, Tatum.”
“In case you didn’t know, I hold grudges, Myles. Anyway, have a seat.” He gestured. “Why are you here?”
“You recently purchased a building over in Chelsea. The one with the bakery called Let’s Do Cake.”
“Yeah. My nephew is putting in a super juice and smoothie shop in its place. What about it?”
“I want to buy the building, and I’ll pay you double what you paid for it.”
He leaned back in chair and let out a laugh.
“You want my building? Why?”
“Because the owner of the bakery is a friend of mine, and that bakery means everything to her.”
“Even more reason why I would never sell it to you.”
“Come on, Tatum. Let’s leave the past in the past. We’re businessmen and we can work something out.”
“Just like when I took you to see the property over on East 82nd? You were my friend, and I wanted your opinion, so what did you do? You swooped in and stole it out from under me and built your luxury high rise.”
“I’m sorry, Tatum. It wasn’t personal.”
“It was personal to me,” he spat as he leaned over his desk. “You were my friend, and you knew how bad I wanted that property.”
“I’m sorry, and I know my apology means nothing to you. I don’t blame you because I’d feel the same way. But I’m not doing this for me. I’m doing it for the woman who owns the bakery. She’s only been there a year and it was her lifelong dream. She opened that bakery with the life insurance money she got after her husband passed away.”
“That’s not my problem. Is it?”
I let out a sigh as I rubbed my forehead.
“If you care so much, then just buy another building and rent it to her.”
“She likes where she’s at and she’s already established there. It’ll take her months to get another bakery up and running by the time I find another building and get all the renovations done.”
“Wow. I never thought I’d see the day where Myles Roman actually cares about someone. You didn’t know the building was up for sale, did you?”
“No. If I had, I would have bought it.”
“It took a lot of balls for you to come in here. I can’t say that it makes me sad to see you gravel.”
“You know what, Tatum? Fucking forget it. You’re right. I put a business opportunity before our friendship and I’m sorry about that. I’m not that man anymore,” I got up from my chair.
“This woman and her bakery mean that much to you?” he asked.
“Yeah. She does.”
“I’ll make you a deal, Myles. You’ll want to sit down for this one.”
Taking my seat, I prepared myself for what he was about to say.
“I hear you recently purchased a twenty-two-story building on West 37th Street. Rumor has it, you’re planning on turning it into a hotel.”
“And?” I raised my brow.
“I’ll trade you buildings.”
“Are you crazy?”
“Not in the least. If my building means that much to you, there shouldn’t be any hesitation. If you don’t want to accept my offer, it’s no skin off my back. Your lady friend will be out in less than thirty days, and we’ll start the renovations for the juice shop. I think this is fair deal considering our past. Don’t you?”
I sat there and stared at him for moment as I took note of the satisfaction he was getting from this.
“Fine. You have yourself a deal, Tatum.” I stood up and extended my hand to him.
“Okay.” He smiled as he shook my hand. “I’ll call my lawyers and have them draw up the paperwork today. I trust you’ll do the same?”
“I’ll call him right now. But I need you to do something for me.”
“What do you need?”
“Call Cassandra Peters and tell her she can stay. But don’t tell her that I’m her new landlord. I’ll tell her myself.”
“I’ll give her a call. It’s been a pleasure doing business with you, Myles. You must really feel something special for this woman to make this kind of deal.”
“I do. I’ll be in touch, Tatum.”
I walked out of his office and climbed into the back of my car.
“How did it go?” Mitch asked.
“I got the building.”
“That’s great, Myles. Where do you want me to take you?”
“To the office.”
I pulled out my phone and called Grant.
“Hey, Dad.”
“Are you at the office?”
“Bella and I are headed there now.”
“When I get in, I need to talk to you.”
“Okay. I need to talk to you too.”
“Go up to my office and wait for me. I’ll be there soon.”
When I arrived at the building, I went straight to my office and found Grant sitting behind my desk talking on his cell phone.
“Thanks, Linda. I’ll have my office draw up the paperwork so you can get it to over to your buyer. I’ll be in touch.” He ended the call and stood up from my chair.
“What did you want to talk about?” Grant asked as he took the seat across from my desk.
“You first, son.”
“Bella and I talked last night, and I’ve decided I’m going to help Cassandra.”
“And how do you plan on doing that?” I leaned back in my chair and placed my hands behind my head.
“I’m going to become an investor in her company and help her find a new place.”
“I see.”
“I didn’t want to do it behind your back. That’s why I’m telling you first before I have a talk with her.”
“I appreciate that, son. But it’s already been taken care of.”
“What do you mean?” His brows furrowed.
“I bought the building, so Cassandra and her bakery can stay.”
“What? Wait a minute. Tatum Sterling owns that building. How the hell did you get him to agree to sell it to you after your history with him? The man hates you.”
“In exchange for his building, I’m signing the West 37th building over to him.”
His jaw dropped as a look of shock swept over him.
“But your hotel plans—”
“This was more important. Another building will come up, eventually.”
“You did that? You really did that?”
“Yes, son. I did.”
“So that means—”
“Yes, Grant. Cassandra Peters is very important to me. I don’t know if she’ll forgive me though for what I’ve done and said to her.”
“Say it, Dad. I want to hear you say it.”
“Grant—”
“I’m serious. Say it.”
“Fine. I’m in love with that woman. Are you happy now?”
“Yes.” A wide grin crossed his lips. “When are you going to tell her?”
“After the contracts are signed and the titles are transferred.”
“I’m so proud of you, Dad.”
“Yeah. Yeah. Get out of here and go sell some real estate.” I gave him a smirk.
* * *
Bella
I was sitting at my desk with Cody when Grant walked into the office.
“You are never going to believe—” we both said at the same time.
“You first.” Grant smiled as he walked over to me.
“Cassandra just called, and the new building owner told her there was a change of plans and she can stay right where she is!”
“I know. That’s what I was just about to tell you. My father bought the building.”
“You’re kidding. Grant, that’s wonderful!”
“Yeah, and you’re never going to believe how he obtained it.”
“How?”
“The man who owned the building used to be a good friend of my dad’s. Several years ago, they had a falling out over a piece of property. My dad kind of stole it out from under him. Anyway, they haven’t spoken since, and Tatum Sterling hated my father. In order to get the building, my father agreed to hand over the West 37th building.”
“The one he just purchased for his hotel?”
“Yeah.”
“Wow. That had to be hard for him. But that must mean—” Her lips gave way to a bright smile.
“It does. He admitted it to me. Apparently, you must have knocked some sense into that thick head of his with your little rant yesterday.”
She stood up from her chair and wrapped her arms around my neck.
“I think we both did.” Her lips pressed against mine.
