“I know, I know. You didn’t ask for this. But it’s yours now, or will be if you want it. And I trust your decisions.”
For my thirtieth birthday he tried to give me his half of Sunset Vineyards. I respectfully declined, unsure if I want to be in business with Jerry. My mom thought I was nuts to decline Dad’s offer. But my hesitation had nothing to do with my father and our complicated relationship and everything to do with the fact that Jerry owned a controlling interest.
I sighed. He was going to be as helpful as I’d expected.
“Rachel.” Oh boy. The full name. This should be good. “I know I screwed up—”
“Dad, can we not get into this right now?”
He ignored me. “I can’t make up for lost time, but I can do better. You hated being a lawyer, you love wine, and you’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit. Do you remember the makeup company?”
As if I could forget my first failed business. “Dad, please.”
“We’ll buy him out. Just give it some time.”
My father had offered to try and buy Jerry out. But money wasn’t the only issue. I had some saved and could take out a loan. The big problem? Jerry would never sell.
“You know that’s not going to happen anytime soon.”
“He’ll move on to the next big investment. Trust me. In the meantime, get to know the staff. Find their strengths and weaknesses and make them feel valued. Without them, Sunset is nothing.”
He was a shitty father but a brilliant businessman. “I know, Dad,” I said. “I’m telling you, Brien is gold.”
“Then treat him right.”
“I will.” It was a moment of agreement and cordiality between us that would never have happened a few years ago. “He’s also Sunset’s vintner though, and really should be concentrating on that. I think it’s what he likes best too.” Brien didn’t say it, but when we were among the vines, it was evident.
“See? You’re already asking the right questions.”
I sighed, saying goodnight to my father. Talking to him wasn’t going to help. If he was going to take a hard line with Jerry, he’d have done it long before now. That was the problem with getting into business with a friend.
Scrolling through my phone, checking emails, one caught my eye.
It was from Grado Valley Vineyards.
Heart racing, I wondered if it was from him for a second. But then I looked at the name. Dominica. Not the sexy but overconfident brother, but his sister.
She wanted to set up a meeting.
I’d planned to do that anyway, so I shot her a quick email back refusing to be disappointed that it was she, and not Marco, who reached out. The very last thing I needed in my life was a guy like him anyway.
My two goals this month?
Get Jerry on board with some of my ideas and avoid Marco Grado like the plague.
SEVEN
marco
“Hey Grado?”
I’d just finished my workout but still gave the gym owner some flack. “Hat on. Earbuds on. That used to mean something.”
Shaun ignored me. “Are you on your way out?”
I looked up to the second floor to the treadmills. “I was thinking of a quick run first, why?”
He had that look on his face. “I’ll owe you, big time.”