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Startled, CC bobbled the mug as she handed it to Al, splashing hot liquid on both of them. “Shit, I’m sorry.”
“It’s fine, CC.” Al set her mug on the island and took the paper towel CC offered. “Probably shouldn’t have just sprung that on you.”
“It’s my fault. I didn’t sleep all that well.” She wiped the coffee off her own hand. “Now, what speakeasy?”
“I’m violating half a dozen ethics rules here,” Al said as she climbed onto one of the stools. “But since your boss did too, and nearly everyone will get what they want in the end, I hope when the dust settles it’s only me on the road to early retirement.”
CC shot out a hand, laying it on CC’s forearm. “Don’t, then.” No matter what had or would happen between them, Al was too good an attorney and mentor to take herself out of the game.
She laid a hand over CC’s. “I’m almost sixty, I’ve earned it.” She chuckled, then withdrew her hand and lifted the mug to her lips, sipping.
And keeping CC in suspense. She leaned a hip against the island. “Any day now with the rest of your thought, please?”
Al chuckled, her dark eyes twinkling with mischief again. “You’re not wrong about Tchin Tchin. We can’t let that building be bulldozed.” The twinkle turned into heat and zeroed in on CC. “And I can’t let the best thing that’s happened to me in years slip through my fingers.”
CC set her mug aside, clearing her throat and ignoring the somersault in her belly. “We said we weren’t going to make decisions on whatever this”—she gestured between them—“might be.”
“And it’s not the driving force.” Al clasped her hand in midair and lightly tangled their fingers. “But I’m not going to claim I don’t have a personal interest either.”
CC lowered their hands to the island but didn’t draw hers back, leaving their fingers entwined. “Okay, let’s hear it.”
“Your clients will be receiving a letter of intent this morning from Rosin Hospitality.”
CC’s fingers clenched around Al’s. “Your family’s company?”
“We’ll offer to buy it all, but in the end, your clients will get the money they deserve, Bo will get his whiskey, and we’ll buy the real estate, not Mosley. Greg and Tony will turn it into a speakeasy, and Ez and Noah will move the distilling equipment Greg and Tony don’t keep for decor out to the winery. Archer, our winemaker, needs a new hobby.”
“But the price tag...” Bo had nearly doubled his offer to keep the deal alive.
“Not an issue,” Al said. “The price may come down a little because Rob won’t be happy, but again—Bo will still get his whiskey, and Jen and Etienne will still get a premium and the peace of mind that their property will be well taken care of.”
It was too generous an offer, and CC knew it was as much for her as it was for Jen, Etienne, and any of the Rosins. “Al, I can’t—”
“It’s your client’s decision, not yours.”
“You keep putting me in these binds.”
Using the hand still in hers, Al drew her around the corner of the island and rotated on the stool so CC stood between her spread legs. “I’d like to put you in other binds if you think we can make this work.” She clasped her other hand and held them together in both of hers. “And if you’re not ready, that’s okay too. I’ll keep working to win your trust back.”
“You weren’t the one who broke it in the first place.” She lifted her gaze, meeting Al’s. “I get that now, and you and your family don’t have to go to such lengths to prove it.”
“My family sees a good business opportunity.” She pulled her closer. “And I see what I hope is an opportunity to swan into my retirement with a smart, beautiful woman at my side.” She brushed her lips against CC’s cheek, making her shiver. “But know this, CC—I respect you too damn much, as an attorney and a woman, to ever use who you are against you, no matter what you decide.”
CC angled in her face, lips at the corners of Al’s mouth. She didn’t need more time. She felt as safe as she ever hand in Al’s hands. Safe enough to put her heart there too. “Let’s close this deal.”
Chapter Twenty
Al stood with her shoulder leaned against the opening to Dram’s service area, watching her friends and family celebrate midday with the restaurant all to themselves. Didn’t make it any less of a party. The winter snowflakes and lights had been swapped for gold and purple streamers and balloons, festive for New Year’s and for the upcoming LSU bowl game. Greg, a tiger alum, had lined one end of the bar with appetizers, while Colby had piled the other end with desserts, leaving Tony in the middle to sling drinks.
Jen and Etienne stood close to the middle, chatting with Tony, Greg, and Tyler about plans for the speakeasy. Past them, near the desserts, CC, Colby, Brynn, and Sloan were celebrating as well, glasses of whiskey in hand. She missed Noah and Ezra, and Miller and Clancy, but someone had had to stay home with the kids. Archer, who was swaggering her way with two glasses of whiskey, had been at the closing today to represent the vineyard contingent.
He handed her the glass. “Thank you for all my new toys.”
“You’re welcome.” She sipped the Tchin Tchin dark rye Jen and Etienne had graciously shared for the occasion. “Will it keep you interested?”
He shrugged a shoulder, his gaze skating past Al and out the window. She looped an arm through his, worried about her friend who a year ago had seemed so excited about the vineyard but now seemed distant in a way she’d never known Archer Scott to be. “What’s going on, babe?”
He sipped his whiskey and hummed his appreciation.
