Page 65 of Conflict
The longer I sit here and listen to the spiel, the more I wonderwhythis is such a massive acquisition for the company. There are plenty of small, unknown, yet incredible vineyards and wineries all over the world. Hell, Ollie’s wine, God bless the man, is better than any of the Filiatrault ones they’ve had us taste.
They were rivals in college and have been ever since.
Shane’s voice fills my mind, and I realize, that’s precisely why. It’s not about building the business or setting up future generations of the Wellsley-Callahan group. It’s about knowing that Clay Wellington’s company is going after it and Wellsley wants to take it out from under him.
I’ve been avoiding Shane because of a decades-long rivalry. One that doesn’t have to do with Shane or me. So basically, for no freaking reason.
Ugh.
The realization makes me sick to my stomach. I was so blinded by rising to the top at WC that I didn’t stop to think about what I was turning down. Yes, I’ve always wanted to be a career woman, to show my parents, the world, that I don’t need a man to take care of me. But I don’t want to be the woman who puts work above everything else.
I have to fix this.
Except, the last time I said no to Shane, the expression in his solemn eyes told me it was probably the last time he’d ever make an offer.
So I’m going to do what I’ve always vowed never to do. I’m going to fight dirty.
Most people in this room are still focused on Cheyenne. So I take out my notepad, scribble a message to Bryan, then push it over.
Feel like a trip to Tennessee this week?
He reads the note then lifts his head, his brow furrowed. He knows what this weekend is.
You askin’ me on a date, Lyssa?
I roll my eyes.
Sure am.
Later that night, Bryan and I are lounging on the couch, watchingPeaky Blinders, and trying our best—which is probably the worst—at British accents. He throws a peanut up into the air and catches it with his mouth just as the credits roll.
“Alyssa, can I ask you a question?”
I set down my glass of milk and look at him, an eyebrow raised. “When have you ever not been able to ask me something?”
He sits up, his back resting against the arm of the couch. “What’s your gauge on Wellsley?”
“What do you mean?”
He runs a hand over the back of his neck. “I don’t know. I thought this Filiatrault thing was cut and dried. Acquire the business, move on to the next venture. But it seems like he’s out for blood. I want to ask Sawyer. But I don’t want to seem paranoid. He’s got enough to deal with.”
I turn to face him, crossing my legs. “To be honest, I felt the same way in today’s meeting.” I wish I could tell him about the rivalry between Wellsley and Shane’s father, but I’m not ready to give away that connection quite yet, especially when I don’t know any other juicy details. “The good thing is he’s no longer CEO, and we know Sawyer has our backs. I wouldn’t worry about it.”
He sighs. “I know. I just… I never thought there’d be so much pressure. Or that going into accounting would have anything to do with acquisitions or mergers.”
“I know. Who knew we’d be considered silent support?”
“If it weren’t for you, Sawyer, and Cheyenne, I doubt I’d still be here. I miss California,” he opines, and I sit up straight, looking at him.
“What about Corinna?” I ask, and he just shrugs.
I pick up my laptop and navigate to her page, my nose wrinkling when I see that her latest blog post is
“Hey, I have an idea. We both have sucky love lives. Let’s send her blog questions and see if she can give better advice to others than what she follows herself.”
Bryan gives me a sheepish grin.
I throw a pillow at him. “Don’t tell me you’re already doing that!”
