It was that classic middle child in me. I wasn’t truly happy unless I was the center of attention.
“How are you feeling otherwise?”
“Good! Really good. Cal’s been taking good care of me.”
Her tone was suggestive, and I gagged.
“Spare me the details,” I said. “I’m just happy you guys worked your shit out.”
It had been touch and go over the last few weeks—since Amara found out she was pregnant, then promptly fired Cal from his position as Delatou, Inc.’s CFO—whether or not she and Cal would work through their issues and realize how much they loved each other. When Cal popped up at the company Labor Day party yesterday, I knew things would be okay.
Amara deserved that, deserved to be treasured and for her baby to have its father in its life. They were going to be amazing parents.
“Me too,” I heard Cal say in the background, followed bythe smack of a kiss.
“So is there a reason you called?” Amara asked.
“Oh! Yes!” I said, remembering myself. “I had an interesting email from Owen Lawless waiting for me this morning. Know anything about that?”
“Took him long enough,” Amara mumbled. Then, “Yes, I do. We met last week because he wants to buy a piece of land from us to build a distillery on. He also asked me to sign on as a partner, but I can’t commit to that right now between the winery and pregnancy. So I recommended you.”
“Recommended me how?” I said, gripped by inexplicable apprehension.
“I may have…bribed him a bit.”
“With?”
“I told him I’d sell him the land if he agreed to meet with you. And before you go off on me, just listen. You’ve been asking for a project for ages. Unfortunately, we don’t have anything new happening at the moment, and that won’t be changing for at least the next year while I get through this pregnancy and the first few months of motherhood. This is your chance to have something that’s just yours, Lia. All I did was get you in the door. I know you can do the rest yourself.”
While I wanted to be mad at her for basically forcing Owen into this meeting, I softened. As always, my sister’s heart was in the right place.
“A distillery?” I asked tentatively.
“Yes!” Amara said, quickly running through the plans Owen had relayed to her. I had to admit, I was impressed. Then again, the man already owned three thriving businesses in the area, not to mention being a successful brand himself,so I shouldn’t be surprised.
Already, my mind whirred with marketing ideas, content strategy, and what exactly I could bring to the table to secure this partnership deal.
It seemed Daddy had been right: that business degree was about to come in handy after all.
Tuesday, September 2, 2025 (10:43 a.m.)
From: Delia Delatou ([email protected])
To: Owen Lawless ([email protected])
RE: Business Proposition
Dear Mr. Lawless,
I truly appreciate you reaching out and giving me the opportunity to meet with you. I’m free at 1 p.m. on Friday. Just name the place and I’ll be there.
Sincerely,
Delia Delatou
Tuesday, September 2, 2025 (11:08 a.m.)
From: Owen Lawless ([email protected])
