I keep quiet, which is all the answer he needs.
He blows out a breath. "I should've known that's what they were going to do. The place needs a lot of repairs. And some fancy New York investors aren't going to care about all the charm and history this place has to offer. They just see dollar signs. They're probably planning to replace the inn with one of those fancy spa hotels that cater to the rich."
That's exactly what they're planning, but I can't tell him that.
"Tom, if you need time to think about this, I completely understand. I'll wait to talk to Sophie until you've made a decision. I don't even want to tell her about this unless I know it's going to happen."
He doesn't respond.
"Just call me back when you're ready. It was good talking to you, Tom. We'll talk again soon."
"Aiden, wait."
"Yes?"
"I'll do it. I'll take the offer, but only if you promise to keep the place as is. Obviously you can update the furnace or paint the walls, but I don't want the inn being torn down. Lois would be heartbroken and so would I."
"Tom, I would never tear it down. I wouldn't even think of it. I know the place needs work, and I do have plans to remodel parts of it, but we can go over those plans before you sign the deal. And I'd like to get Sophie's thoughts as well."
"What kind of remodeling are you talking about?" he asks, sounding concerned.
"I'd like to host events there. Weddings. Anniversary parties. Birthdays. Baby showers. To do that I'd need to add space."
"So an addition?"
"Yes. I'd hire an architect to make sure the addition maintained the look of the inn so it wouldn't look out of place. I'd also like to create a space out back for outdoor events. The land behind the inn is beautiful and not being used."
He chuckles. "Lois said the same thing. She's been pestering me to build a gazebo out back for years, along with some flower gardens and benches. She had it all planned out. It just never got done."
"I'd love to hear her ideas. Maybe we could work together to figure out how to best use that space. I've only just started to think about this. I'd love to get input from both of you, as well as Sophie."
"She'd be the doing the events, I assume?"
"If she agrees to it, yes. With her event planning experience and my business experience, I think we could do really well. It may not even take that long to pay off what I owe you."
"I'm not worried about that. I know you'd make this place more successful than I ever did. I never even advertised. I just waited for people to come back every year."
"They came back because you and Lois made them feel like family. I'm hoping I can do the same."
"I'm sure going to miss the place," he says with a sigh.
"You're welcome back anytime. If you decide to come back and work a few hours a week, I'd be happy to have you. The same goes for Lois. She can take back her kitchen whenever she wants."
"I don't know if that'll ever happen," he says, sadness in his voice. "She's a strong woman but..." His voice trails off.
"You should talk to her about this. Both of you own the inn. It's a decision you need to make together."
"She'll tell me to decide, but yes, I need to talk to her. Can I call you back later today?"
"Today. Tomorrow. End of the week. Whenever you decide."
"Thanks, Aiden. We'll talk soon."
He's considering my offer. I thought he might, but I wasn't sure. Now that I know this might actually happen, I want to tell Sophie. I want to tell her the dream I have of us being together and running the inn. But I'm going to wait until I know for sure.
Getting out my computer, I type up a formal resignation letter. I include a two week notice, but there's a good chance Roger will tell me to leave before the two weeks are up. I'm hoping he does so I can put all my energy towards my plans for the inn.
By noon, I've sent my resignation letter to Roger, assessed my finances to figure out the down payment I can offer Tom, and began writing up an official deal to buy the inn.
My phone rings and I see Pete's name on the screen.
"Hey, Pete," I say, scanning over the offer letter on my laptop. "I can't make happy hour tonight. I've got too much going on."
"Yeah, sounds like it. Did you seriously quit your job?"
I sent all the guys a text a few minutes ago telling them I'd quit and was going to be running my own business.
"Roger lied to me," I say. "He went behind my back, knowing how important this deal was to me. I'm not working for someone like that."
"So what's the new business? You starting up your own investment firm?"
"I'm buying an inn, or I'm trying to. I'm writing up the offer letter."
He laughs. "Yeah, right."
"I'm serious. I'm putting in an offer to buy the inn. The one in Vermont that Roger's trying to buy."
"You're buying an inn? In Vermont? Have you lost your mind?"
"I know it seems crazy but it feels right. I know in my gut this is what I'm meant to do."
"How are you going to run it from New York?"
"I'm not. I'm moving there."
"Wait—hold on. You're moving?"
"You can come visit. I'll give you a discount on the room. Or maybe I'll let you stay for free." I laugh. "The best friend special."
"Aiden, what the hell is going on? You're not really doing this, are you?"
"I am. Hey, I need to go. I need to get this offer done. I'll call you back later."
Griffen calls next, then Tanner, then John. I tell them I'll meet them all for drinks later this week and explain everything. They think I've lost my mind but they
