the works, along with the inn, a much smaller deal but still an important one. If it goes through, it'll be our first property outside of the state.
Roger taps his pen on the table several times before setting it down. "Aiden, I'm very aware of the needs we have as men. The desire for something new. Something different."
What is he saying? Is he accusing me of cheating?
"Roger, I don't think you understand. I didn't have someone on the side."
He smirks. "There's no need to lie to me, Aiden. This is just between us men." He leans back in his chair. "Is it someone at the office?"
"No, and whatever Celine told you isn't true. I wasn't cheating on her. Frankly, I'm insulted you'd think that I would, and I'm very uncomfortable having this conversation. I'd like to be excused. I have a lot I need to get done."
"We're not finished here." His tone is laced with anger. He doesn't like being told that he's wrong but I'm not going to sit here and admit to something I didn't do. "I'm taking you off the inn deal."
"You're what?" I move to the edge of my chair.
"That Vermont inn deal you've been working on. I'm assigning it to someone else. I'll be assigning you to another property. One here in the city."
"Why would you do that? I'm the one who found the inn. I did all the research. Built a relationship with the owner. I was about to present you the offer I've been working on."
"Send it to me and I'll look it over, but the deal will be going to someone else to finish up."
He can't do this. I can't let it happen. Nobody at this firm cares about a small country inn. They'll see Tom as an old man in a desperate situation that they can take advantage of. They'll convince him the place isn't worth anything and scare him into selling at a low price. They'll put terms in the contract that are unreasonable and unfair and force him to go along with it.
"Roger, this doesn't make sense. Why would you give the inn to someone else? You're always saying we should see a deal through to the end."
"In this case, I've changed my mind. I think it's best if you stay in the city. There are some loose ends that need to be tied up between you and my daughter if you two are indeed ending your relationship."
"What loose ends are you talking about?"
"There are several social engagements coming up. I need you to go with her."
"No. Absolutely not. We're not together anymore. She can go with someone else."
"She doesn't have time to find someone else, and she wants to go with you. It's three events. It's nothing."
"I'm sorry, Roger, but I'm not going to pretend to date Celine. She's a beautiful woman. She could easily find someone else."
"Why are you arguing about this? You go with her to some dinners and then go your separate ways. I don't see what the problem is."
What do I do? If I don't agree to this I might get fired. But agreeing to it will hurt Sophie. Maybe if I talk to her and explain what's going on, she'll understand. It's just three events. And if it means keeping my job, maybe Sophie would be okay with it.
I really don't want to do this. Maybe I should let him fire me.
No. I'm not getting fired over this. And I'm not letting Roger take the inn from me.
"I want the inn," I say. "If I agree to go with Celine, then I want the inn. That's the deal."
My heart pounds as I await his answer, which I'm almost sure will be no.
"Why are you so attached to this inn?"
I've told Roger the story of my grandfather's inn several times and he still doesn't remember. It's not worth telling him again.
"I like to finish what I started."
He takes a moment to consider it. "Okay, fine, you can have the inn. Nobody else here wants it anyway. But don't be taking your girlfriend up there. In fact, I don't want you seeing her until this is over. It'd be a horrible embarrassment to my daughter for you to be seen prancing around town with some other woman when it's assumed you're still with Celine."
"When does it end? These events."
"You'll take her to a charity auction on Sunday at the yacht club, and an art gallery opening next week. Oh, and the client dinner on Saturday."