Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 94072 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 470(@200wpm)___ 376(@250wpm)___ 314(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94072 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 470(@200wpm)___ 376(@250wpm)___ 314(@300wpm)
“No. I just want to know whether Melanie has a number in mind. Two hundred grand again—or more? She just made junior partner; money shouldn’t be her problem—not at that firm,” I say, rubbing my chin. “There’s something else going on here.”
Alex exhales sharply. “She’s jealous. And increasingly unhinged.”
“Okay.” I struggle to map the ripple effects. “Did she give us a deadline?”
“We’re not negotiating with her,” Alex repeats. “Damn it, you’re the rational one—help us figure this out.”
“I am rational. I’m looking for a short-term fix,” I snap. “If Melanie violates the NDA or settlement, she dives headfirst into scalding legal and financial water.”
Kellan’s eyes flare with worry. “You should’ve seen her earlier, brother—she sounded serious.”
Alex lets out a low grumble. “Seriously unhinged.”
“So it’s not about money. If we threw another two hundred grand at her, she’d probably stay quiet,” I conclude. “She’s betting we’re terrified of public scrutiny of our—unconventional—private lives.”
“She’s also banking on the idea that settlements imply guilt even when the proof is flimsy,” Kellan says. “Kay might read it that way, too.”
“Bryan doesn’t know the details of our tryst with Melanie, but he’s not her biggest fan either,” Alex says. “Still, once she starts talking about us and Makayla, we’ll probably lose his support. We have to get ahead of it.”
I draw a slow breath, weighing the fallout.
Secrets hurt people long before they ever come to light. If we’re serious about building something lasting with Makayla, we need truth and transparency. The options are few—and none of them are comfortable.
“We should talk to Bryan and Makayla,” I say with a heavy sigh. “Loop them both in, whether Kay likes it or not.”
“This is turning out even messier than I feared,” Alex mutters.
I give him a half-smile. “I know. But it will get worse if we don’t get a handle on it.”
“I’m done being afraid of Melanie,” Kellan scoffs. “She won’t stop until we stop her—and the only way is to take away her weapons.”
Easier said than done, because I have no idea how we’re going to address this with Bryan. It might be even worse with Makayla.
24
MAKAYLA
“Hi, I’m here for my full-body massage,” I tell the blue-eyed receptionist at the resort’s sleek, outrageously luxurious spa. “Makayla Dwyer.”
“Sure, let me confirm,” she says with a warm smile, then taps at her screen. “The ninety-minute session. Excellent choice, by the way. You’ll love it.”
I smile back. “Glad to hear that.”
I’m still hazy from last night—not from the champagne but from hours of steamy lovemaking that left a sweet ache in every muscle. A massage feels like the perfect finishing touch.
“Right this way,” the receptionist says, guiding me into a private room. “You can undress here. Fresh towels are behind the privacy panel, and the masseuse will be with you shortly, Miss Dwyer.”
“Thank you.”
I shuck off my clothes, leaving only my panties, and settle facedown on the table. Moments later, a no-nonsense young woman arrives and efficiently preps the room. She cues up soft lounge music—little more than a whisper—then dims the lights.
“Just let your mind wander,” the masseuse says at one point.
“Oh, it’s wandering,” I giggle, already putty in her capable hands.
With a deep sigh, I melt into exquisite bliss as she glides down the length of my back, kneading away every knot of stress. My mind starts to drift, settling on the winery. I even fill her in, the words sliding out as effortlessly as the strokes of her hands.
“It’s an ambitious plan,” she says, her soft accent curling around each word. “Not easy for a woman to do on her own…”
“Honestly, I’m lucky to have the support of some truly amazing people. Granted, I bring plenty of know-how to the table—but there’s still a lot to learn. As for the business side, though, I’m far from alone.”
Alex, Kellan, and Oscar have thrown their full support behind me. It only makes me fall even harder for them, even though I probably shouldn’t. But we were always friends first. What came after now feels like a natural progression.
“Good. You need all the help you can get,” the masseuse says. “I do admire your ambition. Most people would just settle for a regular job…”
“Life’s too short, you know? It was heartbreaking to see all those acres left to weeds and who-knows-what.”
“And California—especially wine country—is breathtaking.”
“I can’t wait to get out there and take a look,” I tell her. “There’s an old house on the property—maybe something I can fix up so I can live on-site. I hope I’ll be able to see the rolling hills from there.”
“And someday, hopefully soon, you will see the grapes hanging, too…”
I hum softly as I slip deeper into my daydream. Tessa, my masseuse, tells me about her college experience overseas. I respond automatically, so relaxed in her skillful grip that I doubt I’m adding anything useful to the conversation.