Page 33 of Resolute

“Not really. We all enjoy coming to the bar except during tourist season. It can be too crowded, so we take turns hosting smaller groups,” Juan Carlos explains.

“Everyone came out tonight because you were joining us, but it’s not usually this packed,” Alicia says from the other side.

I wish I could feel more than a physical attraction for Alicia. If I must get married, I need to connect with my future wife on a deeper level. Even if I consider an arranged marriage, it needs to be enjoyable at minimum—and not only in bed.

But then there’s Camila. Watching the grainy feed from my office, I can’t help but notice she is every bit the bombshell. Every single woman I’ve hooked up with looks like the twins—thin, tall, great boobs. But Camila is different. Her body is mature. Maybe because she’s a mother? She has curves for days. And that arse? My dick decides to twitch at the thought.

Fuck me.

But it’s not just that—Camila intrigues me. She seems like a strong woman, stubborn enough not to surrender to my arsehole ways. Still, thinking about her is preposterous. For starters, she’s in London. I’ve never even met her in person. And she has a daughter. She already has enough on her plate without throwing an arranged marriage into the mix.

“So, you came out because I was coming?” I say, trying to get back to the here and now, but as soon as the words leave my lips, I regret them.

“I’m sorry. That came out wrong. I just thought this wasn’t your scene since you mentioned you’re the shy twin.”

Alicia’s face grows impossibly red. “You caught me,” she says with a small smile. “This is definitely not my scene. But I thought it’d be interesting to chat with one of the richest people in the country.”

“Color me intrigued. What would you like to talk about?”

Her eyes sparkle, like this conversation is about to make her night. “I have a degree in horticulture, and as I mentioned during breakfast, I’m in charge of all the gardens on the farm.”

I nod, letting her know she has my undivided attention, and she continues.

“I’m no business major, but I was thinking we could do something with the blooms instead of just letting them wilt. I understand the vision of Hacienda Carmen is to create an excellent wine, but what if we offer fresh flowers? Customers could cut them for their own bouquets to go along with their wine? We could even offer the flowers to restaurants and hotels in Santiago.”

“That sounds oddly specific for someone who’s not a business major,” I say with a smile. I’m glad this time she smiles back, no shyness in her gaze.

“Well, yeah, but I just think it’s such a waste of time and effort growing all those beautiful flowers if no one gets to enjoy them.”

“What do you mean no one is enjoying them? My mother loves her gardens.”

“Oh yes, please don’t get me wrong. She loves the gardens around the house, but the vinery gardens have grown exponentially. Do you remember the hills that face toward Karina and Luca’s property?”

I nod, a knowing smile tugging at my lips.

I spent many nights in those hills with my high school girlfriend. Since they’re the farthest from the house, we used to sneak there with a bottle of wine and a blanket and make out until our lips were raw.

“In order to avoid any type of cross contamination with their vines, Mr. Gonzalo decided not to grow vines there anymore,” she explains. “He instructed me to grow flowers there instead. I have cultivated several different varieties.”

I lean back slightly, letting it sink in.Vines and flowers.

It’s an interesting concept.

“I had no idea we had that. I’d like to go see it on Monday.”

She nods, a pleased smile on her face.

“That’s good thinking, Alicia. I’m glad you brought it up. I’ll make sure we find a way to put those flowers to good use so they don’t go to waste anymore.”

She beams at my praise, but immediately clams up. It’s like she came only to talk about business with me.

I continue to drink my beer and end up being called to the pool table for a round. Juan Carlos joins, and we form a team against Fernando and Sebastian, two of the guys in charge of packaging.

“So, Mr. Godoy, I saw you very cozy with Alicia,” Juan Carlos says as he makes the first shot.

“No, not cozy. She was actually pitching a new business idea for the vineyard.”

His eyes go wide.

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