Page 3 of To Fall or Not to Fall

Chapter Two

T heo

The town of Coconut Beach is quaint, small, and picturesque.

It’s the exact opposite of what I like in a place to live, but then, I’m not here to move to this idyllic little town.

I’m here for business. And though I don’t normally go to the small towns where I want to do business, I want to take a hands-on approach with this purchase.

Something about the timing made me decide to catch a plane down the coast and close this deal myself.

It is a multi-million dollar deal, and I need to make it happen ASAP.

I look down Main Street at the cute stores and the twinkling lights that seem to be hanging in front of every store window, and shake my head.

This place is a living Hallmark commercial.

Sickly sweet and picture perfect. It’s the exact opposite of the places I like to be.

The sky is a clear blue with thin white clouds.

There are sycamore and oak trees on the side of the streets with beautiful changing leaves of orange, gold, and red.

I spy some yellow warblers on a tree branch and breathe in the pine-filled air.

If there is one word that describes this town, it’s cozy.

The exact opposite of me.

I’m all about modern minimalism.

There’s nothing modern, minimalistic, or sleek about Coconut Beach.

Nothing has been updated. However, I know, based on analysis from statisticians in my company, that tourists love the old-timey feel and flock here yearly.

I know that if I were able to build a hotel in this town, I would see profits in the 2000 percent margin.

And money is something that speaks to me.

I didn’t have to stay at the hotel. I just had to build it.

I take a look at my phone and search the shop signs for the store I’m looking for. I see it after a few seconds—Beachy Balls, Biscuits, I’m here to see how I can make sure Ava sells me the property.

She’s rejected every offer we’ve sent her way, and I need to find a way in, because if I can get this property, I know I can convince the stores around her to sell, as well.

And then I can build my hotel and make lots of money, which is what I live for.

I look down at my Italian leather shoes and brush off the dust the dog imprinted upon my dark gray trousers that make up my very expensive Armani suit.

I run my fingers through my short, dark, silky hair and take a step towards one of the tables.

I pick up one of the small pumpkins and look over to see that Aria is grinning at me.

“She thinks I got too many?—”

“Sorry, what?” I stare at her in confusion.

“The pumpkins. I got them for decoration. Ava thinks I got too many. But like, Ava’s the fall queen, so I thought she would want loads of them, especially because Popsicle’s going to eat half of them. But I don’t know, maybe I was wrong. What do you think?”

“I think that is a decision between the two of you,” I say, shrugging and attempting to play Switzerland.

I’m not really sure what to say, or why I’ve been asked to join this particular conversation.

Also, I don’t think that either one of them wants to hear the truth.

To me, the store looks like a resting ground for pumpkin rejects.

There are so many different pumpkins and fall decorations that I feel overwhelmed.

I put the pumpkin back down quickly.

Ava heads toward me with a small white glass cappuccino cup in her hand. “Here you go. I hope you like it.”

She smiles at me, and I notice the light freckles across her golden tan skin.

“So, are you new to town? I don’t think I’ve seen you before,” she asks me, her voice bubbly. “What’s your name?”

“Yeah. I’m just here on a quick vacation,” I say, pausing. I can’t tell her that my name is Theodore Winston because then she might realize that I represent the company she sent many emails to, telling me to fuck off.

“What’s your name?” she asks again.

I stare at her, and then I look at the bookshelf and see a book by Oscar Wilde.

“My name is Oscar.” I pause. Stupid Theo! Why would I say that? Who’s called Oscar these days?

“Ooh, Oscar what?” she prods.

“Wilder.” Damn it, I’m going to be so busted.

“Oscar Wilder, it’s nice to meet you.”

“It’s nice to meet you, as well,” I say.

“Oscar Wilder, like the author?” Aria asks me, looking at me suspiciously as she steps forward. Where Ava is taking me at face value, her friend seems more skeptical. I’ll have to be careful about what I say around her.