Trevor called Millie from his limo on the way back to Donovan Enterprises. His visit with his brother had been more uplifting, surprising, and helpful than he ever would have imagined, and now he had a plan.

Millie crisply agreed to all of his instructions, even though she was still at home recuperating from her goose attack. Promising to handle all of his requests, she signed off the phone to get busy.

Trevor’s first stop upon returning to the office was the Human Resources floor. The workers in the hallway gawked at him as he walked through on his way to the Vice President of People Services’ corner office.

Even though the woman had a meeting in progress in her office, she excused the others and smiled warmly at Trevor. It was an odd, heady feeling to know that he was the most powerful person in the building.

The V.P. bugged her eyes out at Trevor’s request, but nodded her head in acknowledgement. If she had any concerns about his proposed changes, she kept them to herself.

Feeling on top of the world, Trevor went home to pack. He figured he would be gone for several weeks because he wasn’t coming home until he had the mall deal finalized.

His first meeting was with a slick-looking developer in Los Angeles. It was a tough sell. Selena Chase had already been to see him, and the money she was offering for the land they needed was already a hefty sum. Trevor sat back assessing the other man. He had spent the evening talking to him and watching him schmooze and flirt with every attractive person––male or female––who walked past their table.

Trevor had already tried hardball negotiation, sweet-talking, and just about every other tactic he could think of, but the man wasn’t budging. Trevor refused to flirt with him because he was concerned about where the other man might want that to lead. Finally, he just asked him straight up, “What is it that you want?”

The man paused with his glass of scotch halfway to his mouth. At first he seemed taken aback by the brash question, but then he beamed a too-bright, white smile at Trevor. Leaning in, he said, “Rumor has it that your brother has a Picasso.”

“Now we’re talking…” Trevor had no trouble negotiating the deal after that, and the two men shook hands on it.

Later that night, Trevor reflected on the win. It was fun being a wheeler and dealer. He hoped that his brother wouldn’t be angry that he had traded his painting, but the lesson he had gleaned from his visit to Trey was that his brother wanted him to do whatever it took to make the deal. That is exactly what he was doing, and he had to admit, it was a blast.

He spent the next several weeks flying around the country, making deals one by one. He focused on really listening to the people on the other side of the contract to find out what they wanted and then figuring out a way to get it for them.

One of the most challenging deals was for some farmland just outside of Kansas City. The farmer, Mark, wanted to increase his land size, not sell it. Trevor proceeded to meet with all of the local farmers to work deals for their plots. He ended up finding several that were willing to sell. When he presented Mark with the package that nearly doubled his current acreage, the man actually had tears in his eyes. When Trevor went to shake his hand, the farmer pulled him into a bear hug, slapping him on the back and insisting that he come home with him for dinner.

The ham, mashed potatoes, corn, green beans, buttermilk biscuits, and peach cobbler were by far the best meal he had eaten in a long time. Even the most fancy restaurant couldn’t compete with a homemade, country meal. By the time he left the homestead that evening, he felt like a part of Mark’s family.

Day by day and deal by deal, Trevor worked to secure each piece of the whole package on the mall deal. With each signature, he required a confidentiality clause that would keep Selena Chase from finding out early and swooping in to steal the deal back from Donovan Enterprises.

He traveled the country, getting to know the real people behind the numbers and helping to make their dreams come true in exchange for another piece of the puzzle. Even though he was using the company’s luxurious, private jet, and he was staying in swanky hotels, he was getting tired and felt ready to go home.

His daily check-in calls with Millie were all business, and he was starting to become concerned that she no longer had feelings for him. He couldn’t stand the thought of losing her, but he needed to finish these negotiations before heading home.

The last meeting was going to be his most challenging. Trey had envisioned the Atlanta mall as the franchise’s flagship, but the land they needed was owned by Selena Chase’s mentor, Grant Wiltshire. Trevor was surprised the man had even agreed to meet with him.

The meeting was at Grant’s estate. It was a classic positioning tactic––make the enemy come to your turf. In another play for power, Grant made Trevor wait for him. The butler had seated him outside by the infinity pool, so Trevor decided to enjoy the time––refusing to take the bait and get annoyed by his host’s tardiness.

When the older gentleman did arrive, he looked like someone who had been chosen for the role by Central Casting. His imposing height, bushy eyebrows and white puff of hair made him appear more like an angry hawk than an aging businessman.

“Why should I even talk to you?” was the terse way he greeted Trevor.

“You shouldn’t,” Trevor responded honestly. “But we’re here, so we might as well eat, right?”

Something about his frank response must have impressed the old man because he bellowed with surprisingly loud laughter before responding, “I suppose so,” and tucking into the plate of chicken salad and fruit that had been placed before him.

They ate in silence. Trevor followed the other man’s lead, waiting patiently for the right moment to talk. Once their cherry cheesecake dessert was served, Grant took a sip of his steaming, black coffee and said, “Selena will never forgive me, if I sell to you.”

“I understand,” Trevor nodded, accepting the man’s answer and scooting back his chair.

“Where do you think you’re going?” the older man grouched. “She’ll never forgive me, but that stubborn woman doesn’t know what is in her own best interest. Maybe one of these days, she’ll figure out that I did it for her.”

“Did what?” Trevor was beginning to dare to hope the man meant that he would sell to him, but he couldn’t quite bring himself to believe it.

“I’m not going to sign the damn papers if you ask any more idiotic questions like that,” the old man frowned at him.

“Okay,” Trevor chuckled, trying to keep the glee out of his voice.

He knew this must be a difficult decision for the other man, so he kept the whoop of excitement curtailed until he was securely ensconced back in the privacy of his rental car.

He considered calling Trey, but the first person’s name that his finger tapped was Millie’s. He couldn’t wait to share the news with her. After all, she had worked for this deal as much as anyone. But when she answered the phone, business quickly left his mind because Millie was sobbing.