ty than investing in trailers.”
“Let’s take you, for example,” Maxwell con- tinued smoothly, swirling the bourbon in his glass. Kat arched a brow, already knowing where this was going. “What about me?” she asked coyly , spearing a bite of her seafood cobb salad. But the truth was, she didn’t need him to spell it out. She was exactly the kind of resident he was talking about. A successful career. A life of smart investments, financial security. She could have bought a beachfront condo in one of Sarasota’s gleaming towers. In anoth- er life, maybe she would have. If not for the pull of nostalgia—of Trailer Estates. “I suspect that getting to know you would be a smart move on my part,” Maxwell mused, studying her as he took a sip of his drink. “A woman with your legal prowess is invaluable to an investor.” Kat lifted an amused brow. “And how do you know I’m a savvy lawyer?” Maxwell’s lips curled into a smirk. “Are you going to deny it?” No. She wasn’t one to downplay her com- mand of the law. She had built an entire ca- reer on her ability to draft, dissect, and ne- gotiate airtight contracts. She wasn’t just good. She was one of the best. Still, she set down her fork and met his gaze, serious now. “Is that why you asked me here?” she challenged. “Because I’m an at- torney? If so, I hate to disappoint you—I’m not licensed to practice in Florida.”
Maxwell exhaled slowly, tapping the side of his bourbon glass so that the ice clinked soft- ly. “Ah, now that’s a sharp analysis, dar- ling.” Kat narrowed her eyes slightly at the word darling, but he didn’t seem to notice. “You’re right—on paper. But smart invest- ing isn’t just about property. It’s about peo- ple. Relationships. Trailer Estates isn’t just a retirement park—it’s a private club without the golf course.” He took a slow sip, then continued. “Many of these so-called ‘trailer folks’ have vast access to capital. Wintering here is their choice, not their financial ceil- ing.” Kat tilted her head. She had assumed the opposite—that most residents had bought in for affordability, not exclusively. After all, they were just miles away from the luxury condos and beachfront estates Sarasota was known for. Maxwell must have caught her skepticism because he leaned in slightly, voice dropping to a more conspiratorial tone. “Savvy investors don’t flaunt their wealth,” he murmured. “And you’d be surprised who you’re sitting next to at the community dances.” Kat took a slow sip of her drink, letting his words settle. Maybe she had been the one underestimat- ing Trailer Estates.
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