Liam and Ava have known each other for many years. Liam has always admired Ava's lake house, and for a year has been asking her to sell him the lake house. One night, as the two friends were enjoying dinner together at a restaurant, Liam asked Ava again to buy her house. Ava laughed and said: "you will never stop, won't you? Fine, I'll let you buy my house." Liam, who couldn't believe his good luck, asked "Really? Do you agree to sell your beautiful lake house and the furniture for 1.5 million dollars? My daughter is getting married in six months, she has always dreamt of getting married there!" Ava smiled and replied: "Yes. The price is fair, and your daughter can have her dream wedding there! We can sign the documents when I'm back from my vacation next month." Liam was thrilled. The following day, he started making arrangements for have his daughter's wedding at Ava's lake house. He contracted with a catering service, a designer, and a construction specialist to prepare the ground and the house for the big day. He contacted a lawyer and a detailed sales contract was ready for Ava to sign when she got back. When Ava got back, however, she told Liam she has decided not to sell the lake house and that unfortunately, his daughter could not have her wedding at the lake house.

Liam is furious and turns for you for legal advice. He mentions that he recorded the conversation with Ava, and can prove that she agreed to sell him the lake house.

What would your advice be?

Is the contract between Liam and Ava valid? Is it enforceable?

Suppose instead that before Ava and Liam left the restaurant, Liam borrowed a pen from the waitress and wrote the following on a napkin: I, Ava, hereby agree to sell my lake house (located at 100 Lake Drive, Pan Hill, NY) and furniture to Liam for 1.5 million dollars, with a down payment of $500,000 due on February 1." Then Liam handed the napkin over to Ava, who signed it, but Liam did not sign. In a lawsuit against Ava, judgment for whom?