The plan simply requires people to say, “This is a great idea,”—which it is—and sign paperwork.
It’s not that hard. That doesn’t need to take even six weeks.
Everybody better just fucking cooperate.
Because I’m already feeling withdrawals from Ginny.
And Adrianne’s buttercream.
The bakery’s lack of mail-order capabilities is something else I’m going to need to address.
So much to do. So many people who have to simply say, “Whatever you say, Everett.”
“I’ll let you know if I run into any issues,” Graham says as he heads out of my office.
“Donothave any issues,” I tell him. “Just get it done.”
He laughs. “You think they’ll just say, ‘you know what, this is a great idea’ and sign the paperwork?”
“Why not?”
He grins. “If only everyone would just say ‘whatever you say, Everett’, but sorry, I don’t think that’s how this is going to go.”
I groan and rub my temples as he heads back to his office to call the woman who is turning my life upside down so that she can accompany him to New Mexico to help get everything back on track.
I want to text her so badly.
But absolutely everything I want to say to her is an HR violation.
CHAPTER 12
GINNY
I really like Sofia Romero.
A lot.
She’s smart, funny, and very into what IES is doing. And she’s a fantastic cook.
So is her father. Actually, her father is all of those things as well, but he’sespeciallya great cook.
The Romeros welcomed me, Graham, and Jack into their gorgeous home, and we’re now seated around a huge dining room table with Eduardo at the head of the table and Sofia directly across from me.
The table is laden with food, including thick steaks, potatoes, grilled vegetables, a crisp lettuce salad, and fresh-baked bread. Everything looks and smells incredible and, I don’t know about the guys, but I’m starving.
We make small talk about Sapphire Falls and how much nicer the weather is here compared to at home, as we all dish up, but I’ve only taken two bites before Eduardo jumps into business. Which I appreciate. Except Ireallywant to eat until I’m ready to pop.
“I understand that you are the scientist and Everett is the businessman,” Eduardo says, lifting his wine glass. “I hadhoped Everett would come. No offense to you, Graham, but my concerns are not about the function of the farm or the technology.”
“What are your concerns, exactly?” Graham asks, setting his silverware down. “Everett and I try very hard to understand all aspects of the business. I’d like to try to assuage any of your worries.”
“It feels safer to start smaller. Slower,” Eduardo says. He looks at Sofia and says something in Spanish.
I catch most of it, but I let the other woman express her father’s thoughts to us.
“He’s been talking with his friends,” she says, shaking her head at him as if she doesn’t fully agree with him doing that.
“The ones that we’d like to work with as well?” I ask.
