“Yes,” I say, quietly. “I was there. Supporting Brendan and Carmen.”
“I thought so.” He nods slowly. “Brendan had a crush on you back then, a pretty serious one.” He looks at me and there’s something conclusive on his face. “You’d think after all these years apart, feelings would fade. But they don’t always, do they?”
I don’t know what to say to that or why he’s bringing up the night of Carmen’s accident, since it has nothing to do with the vendor contract.
“I sent you home that night,” he continues, his tone matter-of-fact, “we needed to focus on Carmen, and you were a distraction Brendan didn’t need right then.”
Excuse me? I was a distraction?
“And you think the same thing now,” I say, hoping I’m wrong. “That I’m still a distraction.”
“I think the timing isinteresting. You submit a vendor application, and suddenly you’re inserting yourself into the family, making yourself—” He pauses, studying me. “—one of us. Imagine how that looks from my perspective.”
“It’s not like that.” I set my drink down. “I really do love him. I don’t know what I can say to convince you of that.”
“I’m sure you do.” His brow furrows. “But I also know your family’s situation with your father’s medical bills. It’s no secret that your cafe is struggling. I heard about the unfortunate timing of the lease increase. These are expensive problems, Miss Rossi—issues that a vendor contract would solve. But not at the expense of my nephew.”
I blink at his bold assumption of our situation.Yes, things are bad.But not so bad that I would use Brendan.I thought the contract was a way out of our dire situation.
“I don’t have anything against you personally,” he goes on, keeping his voice measured, like I’m just another employee of his. “But I’ve learned to protect my family. And your family has given me reason to be…cautious.”
That word snags my attention. “What do you mean,cautious?”
“Your brother, Eli,” he answers. “Brendan helped him with some business venture after he returned to town. Gave him a substantial loan.”
Brendan gave Eli money?Why didn’t anyone tell me?
I stare at the bubbles in my club soda, wondering how in the world my brother let this happen. “I had no idea.”
“I assumed not.” He takes another sip. “I imagine your brother was embarrassed after the business went under. He never could repay the money. And while Brendan is generous to a fault and probably let it go, it does establish a pattern.”
I stare at him. “If that’s your opinion of my family, then I think this conversation is over.” I rise from the stool, humiliation burning up my throat.
He holds up a hand. “Listen, I’m just making you aware of my hesitation about the contract. But I’m not an unreasonable man.” He takes another sip. “I’ve thought about this situation, and I believe I have a solution that could benefit everyone.”
I narrow my eyes. “I thought you said you already had an applicant with more experience.”
“I do.” He stirs the ice in his drink. “But I could offer you the vendor contract instead, if you agree to my terms.”
“What?”
“The contract,” he repeats, as if I didn’t hear him correctly the first time. “And I’ll forgive your brother’s debt if you take it.”
This is everything my family needs right now. But for some reason, it doesn’t sit right with me. He’s just shared all his evidence against me, and now he’s offering me the job?
“Why would you change your mind after everything you just said?”
“Because I think it solves everyone’s problems.” He leans back against the bar, holding his drink. “Your father recovers and your family gains the financial security you need.” He casts an appraising look at me. “If you’re smart enough to take it.”
Something doesn’t add up here. Not after he accused me of dating Brendan only for the money and then made my family look unscrupulous.
“What about Brendan—what does he get?”
Rafael straightens to his full height. “Brendan gets to focus on his career without any distractions. He’s under a great deal of stress, including some unfair accusations. If you get the vendor contract, he can focus on what truly matters. Does this make sense?”
I look right at him. And that’s when I realize he’s negotiating with me.
“You want me to walk away,” I say bluntly.