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“I need to check Charity’s color,” she said huskily.
“I know it’s last minute, but have dinner with me tomorrow. We can try those margaritas at Rosita’s. What do you say?”
There was no way she could say no. It was what she’d been wanting ever since he left. A proper night out, just the two of them together. “Yes.”
After work Friday, Amanda showered and changed into on one of her favorite dresses, another Charity design, which was probably a knock-off of a true vintage dress. It was navy, with a slightly asymmetrical neckline in cream, with three-quarter sleeves, and narrow cream cuffs. The bodice was fitted, accenting her shape, and the skirt fell to her calves, long and full. The skirt did a little swing as she walked, and she paired it with her best navy heels for a little extra pizazz. She parted her hair on the side and teased the crown for a little height, before pulling it into a high ponytail.
Tyler had insisted on picking her up and he was out front exactly on time. Glad she was ready, she slipped on her coat and gloves before going down to meet him.
He was out of the car the moment she emerged from the house. He gave her a dazzling smile as she approached the car. “You’re beautiful.”
The compliment caught her off guard and her face grew warm. “Thank you.”
They were seated immediately at Rosita’s and Tyler asked the waitress to recommend her favorite margarita, and she did, saying it was their Cadillac margarita, top shelf tequila, and hand shaken. “I have to try it,” he said.
“Me, too,” Amanda agreed.
They ordered the nachos and then sipped their drinks, which were amazing, and in between bites of nachos, Tyler told her that there had been changes at work and he was still trying to process it all. “The bottom line, though, is that Gram won’t let me stay at the Graff anymore. She says she won’t accept the excuse that I need the business center.”
“She does have Internet,” Amanda said, smiling.
“And a small printer in the guest room.”
“Your grandmother is practical.”
“And smart. She’s outmaneuvered me.”
“You don’t reach eighty without having some game.”
He laughed. “Gram does have game, doesn’t she?”
“Don’t let her sweet smile and innocent expression fool you.”
“As long as she’s not worrying about me. I’m okay, in every way.”
Amanda reached for a tortilla chip covered with cheese. “She was worried earlier in the week, but I think she likes to worry about you. It gives her a sense of purpose.”
“I don’t want to create stress for her.”
“She’s so happy to have you here,” she answered, popping the chip in her mouth.
He was silent a moment. “She is happy, isn’t she?”
Amanda finished chewing and swallowing and brushed her fingers off. “She’s gone a long time without family close.”
“Which is why she’s made friends her family.” His brow furrowed. “She needs family.”
“She’s a lover, not a fighter.”
“I can picture her in boxing gloves, though. She’d fight if she had to.”
“Absolutely. Your grandmother is no pushover.”
He smiled and then his smile faded and he looked away, gaze focused on the mural on the wall. “I’ve been so immersed in my work for the past few years that I’ve been pretty distant. Not fair to her.”
“She’s never complained. She’s only ever talked about how wonderful you are, and clever, and hardworking. She always lights up when she talks about you, and I’m not saying that to make you feel better, it’s the truth. Your grandmother doesn’t sit around feeling sorry for herself. She’s not morose, or lonely, but would she like more time with you? Absolutely. But does that mean she has to leave all of her friends here… friends who have become her family? I hope not.”
He was silent for a moment. “Remember I said there were changes at work? They were pretty life changing actually. My company was sold. I’m… free.”
“Free?”
“Have no commitments.”
She set her margarita glass down. “Explain this to me.”
“TexTron is selling off its entertainment division, and Justice Games was the first to go. Apparently there was an interested buyer, a company who’d already made an offer some time ago, and the CEO of TexTron accepted it.” He nudged his goblet. “I have to admit, I’m having a hard time with it. I wasn’t ready to lose it all.”
“You had no idea this was in the works?”
“None at all.”
“What does it mean for you financially?”
“I’m good. I’m great. I made some significant money from the sale, but Justice Games was more than a financial return. It was my… baby. My passion. Even though that is such a corny word and I cringe saying it.”
She felt for him, she did. “My salon is my passion.”
“Yes, but you are a gorgeous woman and you can say things like that. Men aren’t supposed to have ‘passions.’ We’re supposed to be strong. Tough. Rugged—” He broke off as she began to laugh. “What?”
“Don’t look so offended. I’m not laughing at you. Honest. I just find it rather sweet, that’s all.”
“Sweet?”
“Of course, your work is your passion! Why else would you do it? And how is it emasculating being committed to your work?”
“I thought I’d have three more years in Texas, at least three, because part of the purchase was that I remain at the helm, and then once the five year clause elapsed, I’d be free. But suddenly I’m free now. The sale of Justice Games cuts me loose.”
“Do you regret selling Justice Games?”
He nodded.
His faint nod spoke volumes, and she felt for him. She really did. She couldn’t imagine her world without her salon and clients. It gave her life purpose and meaning. “So what now?” she asked.
“I don’t know—” He broke off. “Actually I do know,” he said more firmly. “I plan to approach the head of the company that bought Justice Games and convince him to sell it back to me.”
“What if he won’t?”
“Then I’ll convince him he needs me.”
She was silent a moment. “Not to be devil’s advocate, but what if he doesn’t need you? What then?”
“I’ll start a new company. Create new games.”
“Why not just do that now?”
“Because I like the company I built. And, the new media conglomerate that bought Justice Games is right here in Marietta.”
Her eyes widened. “What?”
He drew a slow breath, before asking, “How familiar are you with the Sheenan family?”
“Very familiar. I never went to school with any of them, but both my sisters did. Charity was a year behind Dillon, the youngest of the Sheenans, but they were both in high school at the same time, and Jenny knew Cormac, Trey, and Troy.”
“Wow.” He leaned back in his seat.
She arched a brow. “Wow, what?”
“You really do know them.”
“Again, I don’t know them well. I know their wives better. They all come to me for their hair. Cormac, too.”
“What’s he like? Cormac?”
She pictured the only blond Sheenan and gave a little shrug. “He’s probably the hardest to get to know. He’s quiet, self-contained. I’ve heard others describe him as arrogant, but I don’t think that’s fair. He doesn’t wear his heart on his sleeve, but he’s incredibly loyal to his family and friends. Last year his company was named the best place to work in Park, Gallatin, and Crawford Counties—” She broke off, looked up at him. “Why are you asking?”
“Sheenan Media bought Justice Games.”
Her mouth opened a little, then closed. That was a game changer. “I don’t—” She broke off, shook her head. “Never mind.”
“What?”
“I shouldn’t say anything. I don’t know—”
“Just tell me wh
at you’re thinking.”
“Cormac Sheenan wouldn’t buy your company just to turn it around and sell it back to you. Knowing him, he’s not looking to make money off a quick sell. He doesn’t need the money. Cormac is always about strategy. If he’s bought it from TexTron, he has plans for it.”
“I’m not giving up without a fight.”
She was silent a long moment. “Do you want me to introduce you to him?”
“No. But thank you. I have a call with him already scheduled for Monday.”
“Keep me posted.”
“I will.” And then he smiled faintly. “But if things work the way I think they do in Marietta, you might know the outcome before even I do.”
The next morning Amanda rolled out of bed and went straight to the window to get a look at the sky. The horizon was clear at the moment but a cold front was moving in today, disaster for special events like weddings and outdoor photo shoots, which was what was on Amanda’s schedule for the day.
She’d been booked for the McInnes wedding months ago, with her scheduled to do the entire wedding party’s hair and makeup, beginning with the mother of the bride at eight thirty, and then the mother of the groom at nine thirty, with the bridesmaids and bride to follow, until everyone was ready for the photo shoot at Miracle Lake before the five o’clock ceremony at the gorgeous Emerson Barn in Paradise Valley. Amanda had scheduled two additional stylists to work with her for hair since the bridal party had grown from four bridesmaids to six, and one flower girl to three, but only Amanda would go on location for the photos and then the ceremony.
