Page 10 of To Fall or Not to Fall

Chapter Six

T heo

I don't know what to think or what to do next. As I walk down the picturesque Main Street, I know I need to figure out a way to convince Ava to sell her business—and it's not just because I want to buy it. I’m not completely capitalistic, even though that’s the main reason why I came to this town.

However, now that I’ve gotten to know her, I’ve seen that she doesn't have a head for business, and I can't see her being successful and making a profit anytime soon. The last thing I want is for her to lose all her money and for her grandmother to also become bankrupt with bad credit. She seems like a nice lady, and maybe I’d be doing her a service by buying her out.

The red and orange leaves that frame the street sway in the wind, and I smile as I see two kids throwing a ball back and forth.

The youngest one holds it close to his chest and runs as quickly as he can toward a fountain in the middle of the square.

His sister chases after him, and when she catches him, they both squeal and start laughing.

Now this is what a good childhood looks like.

My phone rings, and I notice that it's my business partner and Chief Operations Officer Chris Whittaker. I don’t want to answer as I know he doesn’t understand why I came to Coconut Beach, but I know I can’t keep ignoring his calls.

"Hey, what's going on, Chris?" I answer the phone. “The office still standing?”

"You tell me. I haven't heard from you in two days. You sign the deal yet?" His tone is clipped, short, and brusque. There’s no small talk or how are you doing here. Such a different vibe to the people in Coconut Beach.

"No. It's proving to be a little more complicated than I initially thought it would be."

"Didn't you say they were practically bankrupt? Offer them fifty grand more and call it a day. I need you back in the city. I just found out that Siemens is going out of business, and I think that we should make an offer."

"Siemens, the kayak company?" I ask, confused and slightly annoyed. I am not ready to leave, and I don’t appreciate the way he’s talking to me.

"Yeah, they’ve been doing shit the last three years, but they still have name recognition in all the big box stores.

They're just kind of pricey. If we can get manufacturing costs down, we can make a shit ton of money. Louis says that one in every four Americans has an interest in kayaking and boating. This is a great way to expand the business. I’m talking over 300 million in profit in the first five years. "

"Okay, well, I am concentrating on the hotel deal right now."

"I know, but that's not really a big deal in the scheme of things.”

“It’s a great deal, though, if we can get the buildings.”

“Normally, I have you here, and we work on the bigger deals.”

“This is a big deal.”

“That's a million-dollar deal, Theo. This Siemens takeover has the potential to be a billion-dollar deal."

"I get it, but I'm also relaxing.”

“You have other people there, as well. I heard the investigator is there. You really don't need to be there.”

“But I wanted my eyes on the prize." Why does Ava’s face flash in my mind? Is she the prize in my mind? Hell no. I immediately dismiss the thought. I’m here for her business. Getting to know her is a by-product of my trying to find out what makes her tick.

I know what he's saying is true. I don't normally spend time on small deals like this, but something made me come to Coconut Beach and want to see the bookstore in person.

"It's really otherworldly here," I say, finally trying to explain myself.

"What the shit does that mean?" Chris says, sounding annoyed.

"I just mean, it's like I am finally experiencing what small-town Americana is like, and it’s not so bad. I think that?—"

"Hey, I’ve got to go. Call me later," he says, and hangs up. I don't blame him. I'm starting to sound airy-fairy, and that is the last thing that I want to be.

I look around, studying the wide streets and colorful storefronts.

It’s hard to explain to anyone what I’m feeling.

I don’t even know if I understand it myself.

I need to decide whether or not to head towards the bookstore or towards the beach.

I need to convince Ava to sell. She's sweet.

She's funny. But she's clearly sentimental to a fault.

I noticed that she gave away books as well as drinks at her pumpkin-carving party.

The woman is practically allergic to profit.

It is crazy to me. And yet, I still want to be in her presence.

I know I wouldn't let her near one of my businesses if she paid me.

I just need to figure out what else makes her tick.

She's never left Coconut Beach from what I can tell.

So maybe she'd want to travel to England or France or other places where she could feel inspiration.

Maybe she could see where her books were set and live in the real world and enjoy real experiences instead of just pages in books.

I'm about to pull out my phone to text Christopher and tell him that I’d been joking, when something runs right into the back of me. Hard.

"Hey," I say, turning around, thinking I’m about to see a little kid, but instead, I look down and recognize Popsicle.

She's jumping on my legs, looking like she's the happiest dog ever. I stare down at her, trying not to grimace as I see her wet paws and the mud on my pants. Popsicle’s cheerful brown eyes indicate that she sees nothing wrong with getting my tailored suit pants dirty, and I can’t help but smile.

If Ava's dog is here, she has to be somewhere close behind.

I look around and see Ava running towards me, her long, dark, curly hair flowing in the wind.

She's laughing like this is one of the most delightful things that's ever happened, and I wonder if she thinks it's funny that her dog has muddied me and is jumping on me like I’m its long-lost best friend.

"Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry, Theo! Popsicle, naughty girl!

" she says, grabbing her dog. "Sorry. She pulled away, and I accidentally dropped her leash, and I guess she saw you and wanted to say hello." She scoops her dog up and kisses her forehead. Popsicle wiggles against her and doesn’t look like she’s learned any sort of lesson.

"How's it going?" she asks with a wide smile.

She looks me up and down, her eyes widening as she sees the mud, and I just shake my head and purse my lips.

“Aside from being attacked by that little killer there?” I say sarcastically, and she laughs.

Her brown eyes are light and teasing. She looks genuinely happy to see me.

She's wearing a bright red wool sweater that clings to all the curves of her body and a pair of blue jeans that leave nothing to the imagination.

She has a body on her, and if she knew how much I wanted to peel her clothes off, I'm not sure she would be as friendly toward me.

“Oopsies.”

"I am going to have to get these pants dry-cleaned now," I say through gritted teeth. Why is she not taking this seriously? Why is she just smiling at me, like she’s happy to see me and we’re long-lost friends meeting up after time apart?

She looks down at my legs. "Ah, you can just put them in the washer," she says. "Just use some Tide."

"I don't have any Tide," I say, grumbling.

She starts laughing. "Do you want me to buy you some Tide, Theo? I can do that." She attempts to open her purse. “Or I can give you the five bucks to buy some.”

"Maybe you need to save your money instead of offering to buy people stuff," I say to her, wanting to shake her shoulders. “Also, Tide is more than five dollars.” I know this and I haven’t done my own laundry in years. Not that I’m going to tell her that.

She shakes her head and giggles. "You're in Coconut Beach now. You need to relax. Life is not so serious. You know what? No one cares if your pants have mud on them. You're not in the city. You're not around a bunch of bigwigs. You can just be you and have some fun."

"I am being me, and I am having fun."

"Could have fooled me," she says, laughing again. I can’t help but stare at her lips. They're pink and luscious, and I want to just reach for her and kiss her, but I'm not crazy. Am I? “Loosen up a bit, Theo.”

"So, what are you up to?" I say, because I really am not sure where else to take the conversation. I want to tell her that there's one way for certain I know I could loosen up, but I don't know if she wants to hear thatriding me would put a smile on my face.

"I'm just going back to the bookstore," she says. "Popsicle needed a walk, and I needed a break from all things literary." She smiles. "What about you? What are you up to?"

"I'm just being a grump, walking down Main Street, trying to figure out what I want to do next." I laugh, enjoying the way she giggles at my wry comment.

She nods. "Makes sense."

"Are you agreeing that I'm a grump?"

"I mean, I don't want to disagree with you and make you even grumpier…

" Her eyes are bright as she tilts her head to the side.

She squeezes a squirming Popsicle closer to her.

"But I do like the fact that even though you're wearing formal pants, you have a sweater on and not a blazer.

That actually makes me think that you do have some autumnal love in you, after all. "

I look down at the red and orange sweater that I picked up in the store yesterday and shrug. "Well, it is the fall season, and I do like to acclimate to the place that I'm in." And to the people I’m trying to get to know better.

"Yeah, I can tell," she says wryly. "So anyway, I think I'm going to head back." I feel a sense of disappointment at her words. "Got to get back to work and all that good stuff."

"How's work going?" I ask as I start walking next to her.

"Fun as always." She releases Popsicle back to the ground. "Some days are good, some days are bad. I guess that’s just how life goes."

"And business? Has it picked up?"

She wrinkles her nose. "Not really. I mean, we did have more people the other night for pumpkin carving, but no one has really returned to buy any books.

" She sighs. "But I'm sure it'll pick up soon.

It has to." Her lips wobble, and suddenly, I feel horrible for her.

If she starts crying, I will feel like the biggest dickhead alive.

We walk past a giant stack of crinkly burnt-orange leaves, and suddenly something comes over me. I reach down, pick up a handful, and throw them at her. They rain down on her hair, and she stares at me, a slight look of confusion on her face.

"What are you doing?" she says, shaking her hair.

I grab another set of leaves and throw them at her.

"Are you throwing leaves at me?"

"It's the fall season, isn't it?" I say, winking at her.

She bends down and picks up a handful of leaves and throws them on me, as well.

"I'll get you, Theo," she says, laughing as she bends down to get more to attack me with.

I bend down and grab more of the leaves, as well, and we're suddenly in a full-on leaf war in the middle of Main Street.

She's laughing, and I can hear myself choking with laughter as we both keep grabbing leaves and throwing them at each other.

Popsicle is running around us, enjoying the play fight, and I realize that for the first time in years, I'm having fun.

I grab some more leaves, and she runs up to me and grabs me by the arms.

"Oh no, you don't," she says. But she stumbles over something and falls into me. I grab her so that she doesn't fall flat on the ground, but she holds on to me too tight—I'm not expecting it—and we both go falling back.

"Oof," she says, staring down at me. Her hand is on my chest, and her leg is over mine. She's giggling, and her lips are parted, eyes wide.

"Was this your way of getting me on my knees?" I say, chuckling as I roll over on my side. I don't even care that I'm lying in the street.

She turns over to her side, and Popsicle comes and runs and sits next to her.

"I think I would've chosen a different place to do it," she says, laughing happily.

I grab another leaf and am about to throw it at her when she grabs my wrist and gives me a warning look.

"My hair must look like it's part of a tree."

"I mean, there are a couple of leaves stuck in there," I say, staring at her. "But you still look cute."

"Well, thank you, kind sir. You look pretty handsome yourself."

"Well, you know, I am what many women would call a very handsome man."

"Oh my gosh." She rolls her eyes. "Please stop being so underconfident."

"What do you want me to say? That I think I'm ugly?"

"No, but…”

“Good, because I don’t think I’m ugly, and I don’t think you’re ugly either.” I lean closer to her. “In fact, I think that you’re very, very cute.”

“Just cute?” she whispers, shifting closer to me.

“Maybe even pretty,” I say, touching the tip of her nose. I move even closer, my lips mere inches from hers. “Dare I say it… maybe even beautiful.”

“Oh, yeah?" She's breathing harshly now, and I grab her hands and pull her into me. I feel her soft body pressing against mine. My hand reaches around and touches the small of her waist, my fingers running back and forth.

I move my lips closer. I can't resist. I'm not thinking about investors or hotels right now. I'm not thinking about buying the bookstore or worrying about her going bankrupt. I'm not thinking about anything to do with business.

For the first time in years, I actually let go and just be happy—just enjoy the moment. And that's because of her. The way she smiles. The way she feels so damn good next to my body.

I lean in for the kiss, and she draws closer to me. I can feel her breath on my lips. Just as I'm about to make our first kiss happen, Popsicle jumps between us and licks me on the lips.

I roll onto my back and groan. Ava sits up, running her fingers through her hair and looking down at me.

"I guess my dog likes you. Like really likes you," she says, giggling.

I see her biting down on her lip, and I let out a deep sigh. I close my eyes, hold in a groan, and stroke the dog.

I am both upset and happy with Popsicle—upset because she absolutely ruined the moment, but happy because I shouldn’t want to kiss Ava. The last thing I want is to complicate the situation even more.

Because the simple fact of the matter is, I’m not here for a dalliance. I’m not here to kiss her, to touch her, to feel her, to sleep with her, or even to like her. I am here to buy her business. And I have to be careful not to blur the lines, because I don't want to hurt her.

Even though in the past, I'd never thought about a woman's feelings that way before, it is important to me not to cross any lines with Ava. Because I already know that the ultimate betrayal is coming.