Page 57 of Lavish

“We understand the heart of this place matters,” he added. “And we’d love the chance to prove we’ll honor it.”

Mrs. Fontaine blinked.

“Your company hasn’t done well either, Miles. I would hate for it to get foreclosed on or sold for scraps.”

Disaster. This is a disaster!

“Did I not mention this isn’t for business?” I looked at Miles, who was giving me awhat the fuck are you doinglook. “This is…personal. For us. We want to live there.”

The lie slid out before I could stop myself, and I felt Miles staring at me.

Lie. That’s what I learned from Jenese and from Mama. Lie to get what you want.

I needed this property. I wouldn’t let it go. Did it matter if I lied to the little old lady? We needed to restore our companies. After selling it, it was no longer her concern.

“Is that so?”

I nodded and forced a smile.

“How lovely.” Her tone was pleasant, but her eyes were sharp. “What was it about the house that caught your eye, then? The stained-glass windows? The garden in the back? The hand-carved staircase? I imagine you’ve done your research.”

Miles cut in, giving me a look, “I told Serena all about the sunroom you have out back overlooking the bay. I think it would be a great place for an office for her. She loves looking out to the hills.”

He remembered.

“Yeah, sounds lovely,” I agreed.

Mrs. Fontaine seemed mollified. “Okay. For you, Miles. I’ll let you look at the house. Since my husband, you know I’ve been wanting something smaller.”

“Of course. Quincy meant a lot to you,” Miles said.

Mrs. Fontaine wasn’t even giving me another look.

“How about you both to come over and tour the house? If you’re serious about keeping it as is, we’ll talk more about me selling it to you first before anyone else gets a look.”

“I would like?—”

Miles cut me off. “We would love that.”

“It’s a date. Miles, good to see you again and looking forward to our next meeting.”

Mrs. Fontaine gave us another glance before walking off. I waited a safe distance before I turned on Miles.

“What the hell was that, Miles?” My voice was low but seething. “You didn’t think it was important to tell me youknewher? You could have mentioned that, right? Could’ve—I don’t know—given me a heads-up before I stood there like a damn fool?”

“Did you even make small talk before you stormed in and asked for her house? I don’t see how you’ve been in business for so long with no damn tact.”

“Oh, so now it’s my fault?” I ground out, my voice trembling with barely contained fury.

Miles glared at me. “Yes. You need to treat people like they’re fucking humans and not robots. Just because you want something out of them doesn’t mean you can’t give a little respect.”

“Our parents gave us orders?—”

“Fuckwhat our parents want. We are the ones working, and if we’re gonna work, we need to get on the same page on how we conduct business. Compromise.”

“I don’t compromise,” I said flatly.

He rolled his eyes. “Of course you don’t.”