Romance: The Billionaire's Proposal Read Online Free PDF Page A

story with her. I’ll just keep that piece of happy knowledge to myself.
    My cell phone rings off in the distance, and I head to answer it.
    I see that it’s Councilman Jones—maybe we could close the deal a little sooner?
    Then I can get started on the development a lot earlier, which will be great.
    I want to have the community center done by spring so the kids can start a vegetable garden and have a place to hang out. I also want the nursing home and the library built by the end of summer next year, which I could only get done if the paperwork was signed by the end of the month.
    “Hello. Tara speaking,” I answer the phone.
    “Hi, Ms. Timmons. Sorry to call you so late—I hope I’m not catching you at a bad time,” he says.
    “Of course not; I’m available to talk. Have you already looked over those files? Are we able to close the deal earlier?” I ask, getting excited already.
    Surely if he called me, it’ll be nothing but good news, right?
    The line gets quiet for a minute, and then the councilman finally speaks.
    “Well not exactly… After you left, I got another offer for the property. One even better than the one you pitched to me, and worth a lot more money.”
    I immediately feel the angry welling up inside me.
    We shook on an agreement and he’s backing out already?
    Maybe he was just a dirty politician after all.
    Dollar signs are everything to them, and I do mean everything.
    “What do you mean you have a better offer? And from whom? I thought what we had was a done deal. We shook on it. But now you’re going back on your word?”
    He sighs.
    I can tell he’s getting frustrated, but I’m getting frustrated as well.
    How could he do this to me?
    Everything was good just a few hours ago, and now it was all crumbling down around me.
    This guy is some piece of work.
    “I got an offer from billionaire Alexander Hudson.”
    “So?”
    “He’s offered a lot more money than you did,” he sighs, “And wants to build a parking garage and a few more warehouses. It’s not as noble as your cause, of course, but he has the money and can pay the actual asking price plus a lot more. His proposal will create jobs and money for…”
    “Money?” I interrupt. “Money for your back pocket.”
    “I’m not saying that I’m saying yes to his offer. I’m just saying that I’m considering both options. It’s only fair,” he says.
    “We had an in principal agreement.” My voice is firm.
    “People get into bidding wars over property all the time. I’m sure this isn’t the first time you’ve gotten into one, and I’m certain that it won’t be the last. It’s the way the world works, and legally since we haven’t signed any papers, I have to still consider other options. It’s nothing personal Tara, just business. I hope you understand that I’m not trying to be malicious with this. I’m just trying to be fair, like I said.”
    My hand grips the phone tighter. I want to smash something.
    He was really full of it, but he also was a little bit right. We hadn’t signed any paperwork so he was still legally bound to consider other offers.
    “Okay, Councilman.”
    “Okay. You have a good day, Ms. Timmons. I’m really sorry about this,” he says before hanging up.
    I toss my phone onto the table and take a deep breath.
    I can’t believe this is happening to me.
    Sure, he didn’t say no today, but if this billionaire guy could pay the asking price and a whole lot more then I can lose the land to him.
    I’m sure he would also be making donations to an upcoming electoral campaign.
    “Not good news?” Joan asks.
    “Not at all Joan.”
    “Another offer?”
    “Yes, another offer. For parking and warehouses.”
    “Oh dear…”
    “The city doesn’t need any more warehouses or parking garages; there is enough of those already. At least I want to be helpful, unlike this guy—whoever he was. He was probably some old, fat, white guy just looking to add to his portfolio or whatever it is that