“Just over two months,” she confirmed.
I rolled my lips between my teeth, carefully considering my next words. I knew the chances of the father being anyone but my best friend were slim, but still I asked, “Cal?”
Amara simply nodded, and hurt flashed across her face at the mention of his name. “I’m assuming you’ve talked to him,” she said.
“Yeah,” I snorted, “but he didn’t tell me about this.”
I kicked one of my Ariats up onto my opposite knee and resisted the urge to squirm. God, this was bad. Obviously, I had no idea how Cal felt, but he was going to be a father whether he liked it or not. And finding this out on the heels of being fired? What a fucking mess.
“How is he?” Amara asked quietly, and I softened.
“Off in the wilderness somewhere,” I said, waving a hand. “He was heading to visit his parents, but he went through the U.P., taking a few days to unplug.”
“That’s good,” she said absently. “He needs that.”
“After you fired him and ripped his heart out? Yeah, I’d say so.”
Because honestly, what the fuck? Talk about kicking a manwhile he was down. And what the fuck had happened that she fired himknowingshe was pregnant with their child? I found myself suddenly irritated at the woman across from me.
“So he told you he got fired, but not that he got me pregnant?”
“We didn’t exactly talk,” I explained. “He sent me a text saying he got fired, that y’all were done, and he was going off the grid for a few days so I wouldn’t be able to reach him if I needed to. And that he wanted to talk about the job I’d offered him a few months ago when he got back to town.”
Amara perked up at that, clearly surprised. “What job?”
“I want him to manage my finances,” I told her, dropping my foot back to the floor and leaning forward, resting my elbows on my knees. I didn’t miss the way her gaze strayed to the tattoo on my left arm—my last name. I knew how much she’d loved that ink once upon a time.
“He’d be perfect for that,” she said, seemingly reluctant to tear her gaze from my arm.
“I know,” I said. “That’s why I want him.”
“Well, he’s suddenly unemployed, so I think it’ll be pretty easy to convince him.”
I reclined on the couch again, the leather creaking with my movements, and folded my arms over my chest as I narrowed my eyes at her.
“There’s no chance of him getting his job back?” I asked.
Honestly, I was thrilled by this new development. I’d been bugging Cal for months to leave the winery and come work with me, and it seemed like I was finally getting my wish. The circumstances were a little fucked up, but I’d take what I could get.
With a sigh, Amara simply shook her head, and I nodded in response.
“I’m not going to ask what happened,” I said, “because quite frankly, it’s not my business. I did, however, actually come here to discuss my business.”
I’d had enough of the feelings talk. Now it was time to get down to the real reason for my visit.
“Lay it on me,” Amara said after taking a sip of her water.
“I want to buy a piece of Delatou land.”
Amara’s brows rose toward her hairline. Clearly, that wasn’t what she’d been expecting from me, and I succinctly launched into my whole business plan. I could tell she was impressed, and a little seedling of pride rooted and began to sprout in my chest.
“I’d also love to offer you a partnership opportunity,” I said once I’d finished my spiel. “What you’re doing here is impressive, and I’d love to work with you on this. Hell, maybe one day we could even branch out into spirit-based cocktails.”
It was clear she liked the sound of that from the small smile on her face, and I could practically see the wheels spinning in her mind. Even so, when her face once again settled, I could tell she was going to say no. Call it that sixth sense for reading people I’d picked up as a football player, but Amara was not on board with a partnership. While I wanted to work with her—truthfully, I wasn’t doing this thingwithouta partner—all I really needed from her was a deed to the land. As long as she could come through for me on that, I could find someone else.
Then, a little gleam appeared in Amara’s eyes, and I mentally braced myself.
“Delia.”
