CHAPTER 1
“No,madre, I will not talk to him. I will not give him a second of my time.”
“Italian is not the only language you speak, child.”
That’sher first response? I roll my eyes, even though my mother can’t see me. Luckily, we aren’t doing a video chat like she insisted. I refused. So, she’s currently on speaker while I fold clothes, placing them in my weekend bag.
“Fine,cerda ya ami,” I say, which meansno mother, in Algerian; my mother’s native tongue. Italian is my father’s. And here I am in the middle, fluent in English, Italian, and Algerian. Although truth be told – and to my mother’s constant irritation – I speak Italian more than Algerian. It’s such a beautiful language, and I love the way it rolls off my tongue.
When my mother tsks, I suppress a giggle.
“Why are you avoiding Roman? He misses you,mahbooba, and desperately wants you back.”
I snort. One:mahboobahardly sounds like it means, which is sweetheart. Second:innamoratasounds nicer. And third: of course theidiotadesperately misses me and wants me back. He thinks I’m his way into my father’s flourishing vineyard and winery. He won’t get it through his granite head that as muchas I love my father, I never intended to take over his business. Hence the reason I live in San Diego and my parents live near Santa Rosa, which is over five hundred miles apart from one another.
“He doesn’t miss me, Mama. And the only reason he’s desperate is because he thinks he’s missing his chance to take over for Papa by marrying me.”
“Tiana.” If anyone can bottle up exasperation in one word, it’s my mother. “Roman is a good man and the marriage makes sense. Your father will need someone to take over when he’s unable to continue on, and he’d like someone from his family – namely, you, his daughter – to continue to be a part of it. Roman is an excellent businessman, so he will control the operations while you are the name and the face of Carusi Wines.”
I stop short, stunned and angry at what she just said. “Seriamente?So, one, you’re saying I should marry as if I’m conducting a business transaction instead of actually being in love? And two, you doubt I could run Papa’s empire? That I’m just a pretty face? You do remember that I too am a business owner? That I handle employees and not only control stock but turn it into divine items that sell out every day and keeps customers returning day after day? Also-”
“You make coffee, dear. You do not oversee the operations of a multi-million-dollar corporation that not only includes the vineyard, but the winery and tasting rooms. You-”
“I do a helluva lot more than make coffee,Madre, but then I don’t suppose you’d understand since you’ve never taken the time to come see your daughter. To see her accomplishments and the life she’s built for herself.”
“A life you could have had right here,” she says calmly, unlike me, who’s becoming more irate with every word she says. “But instead, you ran away, far away, for reasons neither your father nor I understood and still don’t understand.”
I resume my packing knowing I’m on the verge of being done with this conversation. And knowing I better get on the road if I want to make it to the cabin where I’m staying, before it gets dark.
“Mother, I’m still in the same state, not on the other side of the world. I left Santa Rosa for San Diego because an opportunity presented itself. And because I needed to be away from Roman and his annoyingly incessant attempts to convince me he even cares one wit about me. He does not. All he cares about is getting his grubby talons into Papa’s legacy. Do not let that happen, because I promise you and Father, it won’t end well. Now,” I carry on as my mother attempts to interrupt me, “I need to finish packing for a weekend trip I’m taking. I probably won’t have cell service (I totally will but want her to believe otherwise, hoping she won’t attempt to reach me) so I’m sending my love to you and Papa, and I’ll talk to you next week after I return.”
“Tiana, please, listen, we-”
“No, Mother, please listen to me. Nothing you or Father say will ever change my mind regarding Roman Calderon. I want nothing to do with him. I love you, I truly do, but please don’t let him sway Papa into any business dealings. He’ll do nothing but tarnish whatever he touches.”
“He has done nothing to substantiate that claim.”
“Not that you’ve seen. He isn’t going to show his true colors to you or Papa. He’s trying to win you both over so he cantakeover. Do you not listen to what’s being said about him?”
“Tiana, you haven’t been around him for years. But if what you say is true, it is possible for people to change.”
“It’s been less than four years, and yes, some people can change, but not him. Look, Mama, I can’t stress this enough. You’re either going to heed my warning or you’re not. I’ve said all I can say. I’m going to say goodbye for now. I have to go.”
“You’ve given me no example, no incident that would prove what you say is true.”
I sputter. “Do you not trust your own daughter?” When she’s silent, my heart sinks. “I guess that’s my answer,” I say softly. “Goodbye,Madre.”
I disconnect the call and sink onto the bed, disheartened by the entire conversation. A part of me wants to rush up to Santa Rosa to see exactly what the hell Roman has been up to. But the bigger part of me cringes at the thought of being in his presence. He’s slime.
My phone buzzes with a text from my mother. I don’t bother to read it. I’m just not in the mood for her hounding. I resume my packing, gathering my toiletries and ensuring I have all I need for an extended weekend in the cool hills of Pine Valley, about an hour east of San Diego.
Just as I zip up my bag, my phone buzzes again. Only this time, it’s Roman.
“Dio,no.” I instantly dismiss the notification, block his number, and silence my phone. I pull up the contact for my friend, Remi, letting her know I’m heading out. She and her older sister, Ronni, have become wonderful friends since I relocated to San Diego. Remi owns a bridal-slash-party shop not far from my cafe. Her sister, who previously worked for a Public Relations firm, began working with her in the spring. Then Ronni took a position at a non-profit organization as well, returning to her PR roots and doing a tremendous job for them.
They’re the only ones who know where I’m headed, considering it’s their parents’ cabin where I’m staying. Well, and Dustin too, since he’s Ronni’s boyfriend. He’d been a friend of mine, frequenting my cafe, and when he and Ronni got together, I’d been very pleased and happy for them.
After telling Remi I needed a get-away, she mentioned the cabin and offered to ask her parents. They graciously offered itto me since they hadn’t planned on using it for a few months. A cleaning service was taking care of preparations; all I have to do is bring whatever food and drinks I want for myself. A handyman would be ensuring the heating unit is operating flawlessly since it hasn’t been used in a while.
