Page 184 of Sing with Me

Then he turned solemn. “You’re my favorite Langston kid, you know. I like Seb too, but I always thought that if I ever had a daughter, you would be exactly who I envisioned.”

“That’s sweet of you.” Skye sniffled. “Don’t make me cry.”

“I’m about to make it sweeter. I don’t trust those large corporations buying me out and running my personal chef business. I’ll sell it to you at a price you can afford. I have loyal clients north of Atlanta, and I’ll rest easy on my new yacht knowing that Watt’s for Dinner is in good hands.”

“I’m not overflowing with money.” It was the truth.

“I heard about Saffron through the grapevine.” Watt lifted a hand. “Don’t ask me how. Suffice to say that if you sell your shares of Saffron, you could buy out my Atlanta business.”

“What about your Savannah branch?”

“Sold it last week on a handshake.”

“Do they still do that sort of thing anymore?” Skye asked. She was sure she’d need to call her corporate lawyer and accountant. It wasn’t going to be on a handshake.

And she would need to look into the finances and profitability of Watt’s for Dinner. If Watt had neglected it in any way, she might not want it. “When was your last audit?”

“Now we’re talking.”

Chapter Forty-Nine

Diehl left the office at three o’clock to pick up Skye at the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport domestic terminal. Her flight from Miami was on time, and she arrived promptly at 4:12 p.m. He rushed to baggage claim, and found Skye and her brother waiting for him.

Diehl shook hands with Sebastian, who was at least a couple of inches taller than he was, but he still looked the same as Diehl had remembered him from past catering events at Brooks Cottage and its adjacent guest cottage.

“How’s Elisa?” It was the first thing Skye said to Diehl, even before a hello.

“She finished her interviews. She’s at the house, safe and sound.” Diehl reached for her hand. “Mom is hovering over her. Malik sent two security personnel to stay with both Elisa and Ethan around the clock. He’s upgraded the security system in the house.”

Skye nodded. “How is she emotionally?”

“Confused, I think.” Diehl was taking a guess. “After the CAC interview is over, she’s going for counseling. Pastor Gonzalez recommended someone at Midtown Chapel.”

He waited for Skye’s reaction to his mentioning a church in Atlanta and not on St. Simon’s Island. She didn’t say anything as the luggage carousel began to move. Perhaps she was compartmentalizing again.

When he and Sebastian pulled off multiple suitcases and Skye identified hers, Diehl knew they had a problem.

He had brought his 1964 Ferrari 250 GTO to show her—because he had said he’d do so on speakerphone in front of Jared and must now deliver on his promise. Now he realized that the vintage sports car didn’t have enough trunk space.

“Uh-oh. I brought a small car.” Diehl stared at Skye’s two large teal-colored suitcases. That, plus her backpack. And her guitar in a case. Oh boy.

“I know, right.” Sebastian laughed. “I told her to pack light. It’s only for a week.”

“A long week,” Skye protested.

“Fortunately, there’s an easy solution. I’ll take Skye’s stuff with me back to Athens in my truck,” Sebastian offered. To his sister, he said, “You might want to get what you need out of your suitcases if you’re staying overnight.”

“You mean like in a hotel somewhere?” Skye asked.

Diehl thought she looked lovely with her hair up and her face and arms tanned. She was wearing a somewhat crinkled T-shirt that said “Miami Beach,” a pair of denim shorts, and a pair of hiking boots.

In other words, she was casual. Diehl mentally scratched off the five-star restaurant he had in mind in which they had to at least halfway dress up.

Since he had come directly from his office, he was still wearing the button-down striped shirt he had on all day, and a pair of matching charcoal pants. He had changed into loafers, but nothing he had on was casual.

“A hotel, of course. Is there anywhere else you’d stay overnight?” Sebastian eyed Diehl.

“You sure you don’t want to have dinner with us?” Diehl asked Sebastian instead.

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