Page 32 of Imperfect Arrangement

I shake my head, running a hand through my hair. “No, I wasn’t there either time. She spoke twice, actually.”

His eyes widen. “Twice?”

“Yeah.” I exhale, my voice rough. “For some reason, Quill opens up to Willow. She trusts her in a way she doesn’t trust anyone else. Not even me.”

“Damn, Ray, that’s huge.” He runs a hand over his neck, eyes still wide. “So what’s Willow getting out of this job?”

Finally, he sees I’m not the one holding the cards, not the one in control. And honestly, for my daughter, I don’t mind being in this position. Hell, I’d happily trade every damn business deal I’ve ever made just to see Quill smile.

Raymond Teager, the dad, has no interest in winning.

But what about Raymond Teager, the businessman? Don’t you think you owe something to that guy and his team who have worked day and night?

That inner voice once again finds an opening.

Rowan gives my pristine Italian loafers a nudge with his muddy boots, yanking me out of my self-pity spiral.

“Isn’t this good news? Why the hell do you look so down?”

“I’m not upset. Never when it comes to Quill’s happiness…even if it means giving up everything I own.” My voice grows tight with frustration. “But I’m not an idiot, Ro. People are gonna see this as a weakness.”

“And you’ll let them trample the Elixir name?” Rowan’s words hit like a slap, cutting through my defenses.

That one simple question has me shooting up from my chair like I’ve been lit on fire. Suddenly, I can’t sit still. My body’s humming with restless energy. “I’m not letting any such thing happen. I’ve got a plan.”

What I don’t add is that I’m here to figure out if my plan makes me look like a total idiot or if it’ll be my best save.

I turn toward the city, taking in the view from his porch. The town below is quiet, washed in the soft glow of moonlight. Beyond, the Cherrywood hills stretch up toward the sky, towering over everything like silent witnesses. In a few years, I’ll be just a memory. But these hills will still be here, standing tall, untouched by time. My pride, my name, my empire—everything I’m working so damn hard for right now—will disappear the second I’m gone.

Rowan taps my shoulder, pulling me out of my thoughts, and I find him standing right beside me. “So what’s the plan?”

I take a deep breath, feeling the air fill my lungs like I’m breathing life back into myself. Yeah, I might be just one tiny speck in the grand scheme of things, but damn it, I’m a speck that’s going to leave a mark. I’ve been handed a life most people would kill for, and I’m not going to take anything for granted.

Not my daughter, nor my work.

“Building a hotel on that land is out of the question now. What do you think about Elixir Estates investing in a cozy, rustic yet elegant and luxurious wedding estate?”

His brow arches, and I know I can’t expect such a mild response from my shareholders. They’ll probably lose their collective minds at the news. This proposal is miles away from our brand.

“Didn’t you once say that rustic was just a sophisticated word for cheap and tacky?” He’s wearing that shit-eating grin like he’s been waiting for this moment for years.

I groan internally. Leave it to my cousin to never forget a single word I’ve ever said.

“I might have been a little shortsighted,” I admit, rubbing the back of my neck and reminding myself of the lines I rehearsed on the drive.

“But I’m thinking this could be our first step in expanding Elixir Estates’ portfolio. We’d be breaking into a new market. Based on the latest trends, cozy bohemian wedding estates that offer luxury are hot right now. Many celebrities are choosing them over sleek, impersonal hotels. We won’t be changing who we cater to, we are just giving them more options.”

Rowan’s lips curl into a slow smile, and I feel a flicker of hope. Maybe, just maybe, I’m not completely off my rocker with this idea.

“You came to practice this pitch on me, didn’t you?”

Yeah, he has me there. I shoot him a look, half amused, half guilty. “Maybe I did,” I confess, leaning against the porch railing. “But I need more than practice. I need to get the ball rolling. I don’t want the shareholders blindsided. I want to seed some rumors in the media, get the narrative in our favor before they even step foot in the boardroom.”

He nods, his mind clearly already working on the next step. “Give me ’til midday tomorrow. I’ll draft a plan.”

Rowan is the head of Elixir Communications. To many, it’s confusing. How can someone who struggles with speech have this profession? But if you look deeper, it makes perfect sense. It’s about saying the right thing, and he’s a master of the written word.

“Is it cool if I run a few ideas by Archer? He’s coming over for breakfast tomorrow.”