“Okay, to recap, you have a set budget to put back into Winedown for marketing expenses and community donations. We’re adjusting your monthly deductions to your IRA and allocating a sum to go into a college fund for the baby girl. We’ll adjust a few of your higher-risk investments and do something with a more solid guarantee. I’ll monitor the others as we proceed. You’re still on track to have enough money in the budget to hire someone part-time to help while you’re on maternity leave. Currently, I have the numbers working out for them to start when you’re thirty-eight weeks if you like, but if you feel you want to leave earlier, I believe you can. Just let me know.”
“Wonderful, thank you. Right now, that is still the plan. Honestly, I’ve felt so good that I’m not even sure I’ll need it fully with how smoothly things have been going.”
Wren may still have a small smile on her face, but the rest of her features show how much she really disagrees with me. “While I love your dedication, you have the means to have some help. Let’s not deviate from a plan that is working and one I believe to be beneficial.”
“And what if I offered it to you?” I tilt my head with the proposition. A snarky smile spread wide across my face. “Can’t say I trust this position to just anyone.”
Much to my surprise, Wren doesn’t immediately shut it down.
“If it means you might actually take a break, we can talk about it. You haven’t slowed down at all, Mia. Hell, I think you’ve been working harder lately.” Wren slides her laptop into her bag. “Which I should mention this too—we did get an offer on Winedown.”
“Wh-what? As in, to buy it from me?”
“Yes, I didn’t immediately bring it to you because the number was an easy no, but they came back with another offer for a portion of the business. I personally still think the answer should be no, but all things considered—I felt I should let you make the call. It’s a financial group so while I don’t think they’d have what it takes to keep this place running on their own, I imagine they could handle the spreadsheets and budgeting.”
My stomach turns in knots. I don’t like that at all. “If they’re a financial group, why Winedown? Seems like an odd investment to me. Even as the person who loves this place the most.”
Wren weighs her head back and forth. “They didn’t give any reasoning for the offer, just the details. Now, if I were to take a stab at it, I’d say it could be the success you’re having. Winedown has repeatedly been reported in the top five restaurants in all of Massachusetts in countless news outlets. You have an insane social media presence with how much it’s talked about. Not that I think this isthereason as I typically hate tying a woman’s success to a man, but your husband is a professional athlete who’s gone viral with that gender/last name/home run situation—On top of that, he and his teammates are regulars who talk of this place often.”
“I’ll accept the tie-in to the Blues considering Adam knows how hard I work…and the addition of the sweet video of him during that game. You’re going to get me to watch that postgameinterview again where he talks about how happy he is with me and our baby.”
“With all the respect, I’d watch that video every morning. Better yet, roll over in bed and have him recite it.”
I chuckle. “That’s not a bad idea. But back to this offer…I have to meet Adam at the new house before he leaves for Kansas City.”
“Look, in my professional opinion, it’s a no, but?—”
“Oh, it was always going to be a no.” I start throwing all my stuff into my bag. “Winedown is mine. I do many partnership ventures, but this place won’t be one of them. You’re good to politely pass as they come.”
Wren nods, that proud grin tugging at the corner of her mouth. “I’ll let them know.”
“I still find it really odd that the offer came in the first place, though. If they counter again…I don’t know…maybe question them a bit? Or hell, just keep declining. I don’t want them thinking I’m curious and misconstrue that as hidden interest.”
“I agree. If anything jumps out at me or legal, we’ll bring it up. But otherwise, I’ll take the lead on passing on those offers.”
“Perfect.” I throw my bag over my shoulder. I know this meeting was very needed, but I have to admit I would’ve loved to have it any other day. “Care if I walk out with you?”
“Come on, girl, while we make our way out you can tell me what exact words to the prayer you used for that husband of yours.”
My head tilts back with a laugh. “It will require you to have a dysfunctional condom.”
Wren hums as we head out of my office. “So, do I hire a witch for that or…what?”
“I believe mine was lucky girl syndrome, but a witch might work. I definitely wouldn’t recommend karma…that bitch never gets the whole message.”
“I know that’s right,” Wren grumbles as she follows me out the back alley door. “I’ll update you later.”
“About the finances or the husband?”
“Both, preferably, but most likely just your finances.” Wren laughs.
“Sounds good to me. I’ll talk to you later.” I toss a hand up for a wave as she heads in one direction and I go the other. I feel a little bad that I rushed through that meeting, but Wren seemed fine. And I greedily want to be in my new home with Adam as much as I can.
After weeks of talking to our family’s lawyers, mostly my aunt’s lawyers—I get that, with no wedding and her not even knowing I was dating anyone, it would seem suspicious. I didn’t appreciate it coming from a legal standpoint instead of talking to me or my mom first, but we were finally able to start moving in today.
Which, as excited as I am for it, I really hate that now Adam has to leave for another two weeks, and we haven’t even been able to spend one night in the house.
I park on the street behind Tripp’s car. We have professional movers, but the group didn’t exactly care too much.
