Paris
I HAD OFFICIALLY been banned from my own winery and tasting room.
Come to find out, dinner was a peace offering of sorts. This came to light when we walked in my front door after eating. Tyler informed me right then that Lawson advised I keep my distance until he could get all the paperwork in order.
Apparently, Lawson was going to petition for some kind of CEO succession passage. However, it was complicated and he had to prove I’d been operating in that capacity before my father took ill because my father wished it so. This way, it wouldn’t look like I’d hijacked the company.
Basically the truth, but not exactly.
Slippery slope.
And Brick the Prick was the one presenting my case.
My mouth trembled with emotion and I fought the burn of tears. “Why can’t Mr. Dane do it?”
Tyler looked at his feet.
When a few seconds passed without an answer, I huffed in annoyance. “Let me guess, he represents California Jane and it’s a conflict of interest.”
Toeing off his boots, he lifted his head. “Yes.”
Anger curled in my gut as I kicked off my sneakers and tossed my coat on a hook beside the door. “Why did we even get married? What good is the merger if we have to keep everything separate?”
His jaw clenched. “Love—”
“If you call me that one more time, I swear I’m going to scream.”
He pulled his arms from his jacket. “Paris, listen to me. We are building something together. Wine from Highway 128 is going to start bottle production at California Jane, tomorrow. That’s huge.”
I took a deep breath and walked into the living room.
Tyler followed me and headed over to the fireplace to restack the logs before stuffing paper beneath them.
I crossed my arms. “Let’s both rebrand.”
It just came out.
He lit the paper and the fire blazed to life. “You mean change both of our company names?”
I nodded. “Yes, to a new one. Now. Before we start production. Start fresh.”
His silhouette was a glow from the flames and I watched as he paced, ran his hand through his hair, over his mouth.
Feeling much calmer, I sat on the sofa. “Think about it,” I said. “You don’t have to decide today.”
Nabbing his laptop, he sat beside me. “I will. I’ll give it serious consideration.”
Grabbing a blanket and tossing it over me, I pulled the box of surveys and papers we’d taken from my father’s office closer. “Now, what are we looking for?” I asked.
He opened his laptop. “I have no idea.”
“Yes, you do.” I nudged him and it was like receiving an electrical charge. Things were getting hotter and the tension thicker.
Smirking at me, he pulled up the surveys he’d scanned from the County Clerk’s office. “Anything to tie these together.”
“Got it.” I started laying the documents out all over the coffee table.
An hour later, I was resting my head on the arm of the sofa when he said, “Why did your father name your company Highway 128?”
Sitting up, I yawned and rubbed my eyes. “I don’t know. But somewhere in here I saw a document referencing a company that wasn’t originally named Highway 128. I’m not sure why he altered the name or when, but I think whatever word is beneath the scratch marks was his first choice.
Tyler continued to study the papers. “I wonder why he changed it?”
I shrugged and put my head back down. “No idea.”
My body was achy and sore from the manual labor and my mind a complete case of chaos.
I must have fallen asleep because when I woke up, the fire was glowing with embers and Tyler was fast asleep beside me.
He looked so calm when he was sleeping. I took his laptop and set it on the coffee table and then I did something completely unexpected.
I snuggled up beside him.
And I finally felt at home.