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Chapter One
The party wasin a newer mansion on the outskirts of Whiskey River. No one knew too much about Max Parrish—the billionaire owner of an international conglomerate who’d moved in over the summer. But it was the party to be at and Angelica Rossi—who had become a pariah in society since a video of her yelling at one of her staff members had gone viral and trashed not only her reputation but also her business—needed to be there. She’d left New Orleans and moved to the small Texas town of Whiskey River to start over but, so far, the good people of Whiskey River hadn’t seemed to want her.
“We’ll just go in and find this Parrish guy. Tell him our proposal, wow him with our girl-boss vibes and then…” Angelica said.
“Then what?” Cosima asked. Cosima was her cousin and business partner. Even though Cosima had come up with this plan, she had left Angelica to work out most of the details.
Angelica thought if they could get Max Parrish to fund a community art center in The Barrels—Whiskey River’s poorer community—it would be the start to repairing her reputation and rebuilding their brand. They had run a chic boutique in New Orleans filled with handmade objects d’art created by Angelica and other local artisans—none of whom wanted anything to do with her now. But that had only been one half of the boutique. Cosima had run a wine bar and café on the other side, featuring the Rossi wines from California and a menu designed by Angelica’s celebrity chef brother—Jock.
“Then we celebrate at what is shaping up to be the kickoff party of the holiday season.”
“Or he realizes we weren’t invited, calls the cops and we never work again,” Cosima said.
“When did you become such a pessimist?” Though Angelica suspected it was tied to losing their boutique in New Orleans and not getting the welcome-wagon reception when they’d opened their new one here in Whiskey River. Which was precisely why Angelica was taking this risk.
“It’s called being a realist.” Cosima tipped her head to the side as they sat in the car waiting for the line to move in front of them.
“You used to believe in the goodness of people. Don’t let my experiences change you. Veronica showed me I was an idiot for that belief,” Angelica said.
Her former friend had been angered over the fact that her works weren’t selling well and started a fight with Angelica, which she had videoed and then edited to make it look like Angelica was a bully. She’d tried to defend herself and had even won a dismissal of the civil case that Veronica had brought against her, but the damage had been done.
“Well, it’s the season of miracles and maybe we’ll get one to help convince us to believe again.”
“I’m not sure I believe in miracles,” Angelica said. “We should have a plan B in case we don’t get in.”
“Well, now that you mention it, I do,” Cosima said.
“Should I ask what it is?”
“Yes,” Cosima said nodding so that her high ponytail danced wildly. “It’s sort of a gutsy move where we pretend to be the entertainment.”
She shook her head, regretting this course of action as they got closer. She had always been the kind of woman to take life by the horns but… “So plan A is to say that we’re good friends of Logan Calloway’s, he sends his regrets but thought we’d enjoy the party.”
“Yup,” Cosima agreed.
Angelica wasn’t sure how they were going to pull this off. But the both of them were quick on their feet. “We’ve only met Logan once and I’m not sure he’ll remember our names.”
“He and Nico are good friends. You’re in a photo with both of them,” Cosima pointed out.
“He’s Nico’s friend not mine,” Angelica said trying to stifle the doubt creeping in.
“Maybe we shouldn’t do this.” Cosima seemed to pick up on her second thoughts.
No. Rebuilding their lives—and their business—was important.
“You don’t think we should do anything but hide out. You used to be…well different. I get why you’ve changed but this will be good. Nothing ventured, noting gained. Remember?”
She glanced over at her cousin. To be honest they were more like sisters. There was only one month between their birthdays and as the only two girls born to this generation of Rossis they’d always been close. They always had each other’s backs against their older brothers and matchmaking mamas. Angelica realized she had to do this for Cosima. Simply because even though Angelica was embarrassed by the gossip and ashamed of her behavior, Cosima didn’t deserve to be losing money and worrying about keeping the shop open.
“We’re doing this.” Angelica was all in. “He’s probably not going to ask too many questions about how we know Logan,” Angelica said.
“That’s what I’m thinking. Maybe we can talk to his second in command—someone named R.T. Harden,” Cosima said. “He’s the one who is supposedly going to be managing the revitalization of The Barrels.”
They were next in line in front of the large mansion. It had been built in a sprawling sort of Spanish-inspired style. There was a portico that the cars were queueing up in front of where valets waited to take their keys. She pulled down the vanity mirror and checked her lipstick. She’d made sure to look as professional as she could tonight, pulling her thick curly hair back into a chignon. She’d straightened it first so that it was all smooth and no stray curls would escape.
She’d changed her entire look after leaving New Orleans. As if straight hair and buttoned-up business clothes were going to make people think she wasn’t a bully.
Cosima looked cute and confident as always. She winked at Angelica as a valet opened the driver’s side door when they stopped. He offered Cosima his hand. Another came around and opened Angelica’s door.
