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“We’re like two sides of the same coin. I’m known for my business sense, and no one associates me with wines or womanizing.”
“Yet,” said Antonio with a smirk, “I have a feeling that once you’ve spent a little time here, you’ll be known for both.”
“No. I might let loose tonight, but after that, I’ll be getting down to business. I want to make the most of this opportunity to make my name in the wine world, and I definitely won’t be doing any womanizing.”
“You mean you won’t be giving yourself a name for it. You work hard; I know you’ll be playing hard while you’re here. I can’t believe you won’t tell me who you’re working for. I want to know who’s floundering so badly that they need to call you in to turn things around for them.”
Grant felt bad. Cole Hamilton Sr. was Antonio’s uncle. In a way that made him feel he should tell Antonio. It was family business. At the same time, it was all the more reason to maintain client confidentiality. He shook his head. “It’s part of the contract. I am not to disclose the name of my client. I’m sure once I get to work that word will get out, it’s hard to hide the kind of changes I make …”
“You mean the wails of pain from the bloodbath you’re about to inflict?”
“It’s not a bloodbath. It’s not pain. I prefer to think of what I do as pruning to encourage new growth.”
Antonio laughed. “That’s how you justify it to yourself?”
Grant frowned. “It’s not justification. I’m proud of what I do. I turn companies around. I save them. Yeah, there may be some trimming of dead wood …”
Antonio smirked.
“Okay, so it’s a euphemism. I let people go. I fire them, but it’s all part of streamlining operations, making processes more efficient and cost-effective so that the company can thrive. It’s sacrificing a few for the greater good.”
“Sorry, there’s no need to get so defensive.” Antonio looked surprised. “I was only teasing.”
“I know, but you make me sound like a heartless bastard, and I’m not. I care about the overall good.”
“I know you do. But let’s forget about business for tonight and get back to the wine and womanizing, can we?”
Grant nodded. “Yeah, let’s do that. Steak first, though.”
Chapter Two
Chelsea’s phone was ringing when she got back to her cottage. She ignored it; she wasn’t in the mood to talk to anyone. All she wanted to do was run herself a hot bath, pour a glass of wine, and sit and fume over her dad bringing someone in to help her run Zosca.
She opened a bottle of wine and listened as the answering machine kicked in. “Chelsea? Are you going to pick up? It’s me, Mary Ellen. Are you there?”
She made a face. She didn’t want to talk to anyone, but if she did, the one person she’d want to talk to would be Mary Ellen.
“Go on, pick up. You know you want to.”
Chelsea chuckled and picked up. “You know me too well.”
“Hey. I do. I could just see you sitting there staring at the phone debating whether or not to ignore me. I’m glad you didn’t.”
“Why?”
“Because it’s Saturday night, and you shouldn’t be sitting home alone doing nothing.”
Chelsea laughed. “You mean you’re sitting home alone doing nothing and you don’t want to?”
“You know me too well, too. Guilty as charged. So, since we’re both in the same the boat, what do you want to do?”
“I want to sit home alone and do nothing.”
“You don’t. You might think that right now, but you really don’t. You’d much rather get dressed up and go out with me. We could get all glammed up and go downtown and dine and dance.”
Chelsea thought about it.
“Just say yes. If you think about it too long, you’ll talk yourself out of it. Neither of us has had a night out in forever. We deserve this.”
