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Leaving was the best option for both of us. I knew everyone would agree, even Sherry, if I actually answered one of her many calls. I’d been avoiding her since. I was waiting for her to storm into the tasting room and sucker punch me, but I also knew it was the one place I’d be safe. She’d never cause a scene and risk tarnishing the good family name.
“Hey there,” a sexy voice drifted into my ears. My lip quirked of its own accord, and I glanced up at the brunette with a body that would have once revved all my engines, but now lacked all the curves I craved.
“How can I help you?” I asked. She had already ordered a glass of pinot from me earlier and had flirted before meeting up with her group.
She bit her lip, her teeth tugging at the plumpness. “Another pinot, please.” She slid her empty glass across the counter, bending to reveal an impressive line of cleavage. Not as impressive as Lainey’s, though…
I disposed of the old glass and grabbed a clean one, giving a generous pour before handing it off to her. She took the glass in her hand but didn’t leave. She stood, grounded in place, staring as if she was waiting for me to speak.
I had nothing to say. I had already sold someone else in her party a case of wine, and though I had tried with her, she told me as a single woman she couldn’t possibly drink an entire case. I wanted to introduce her to Chardonnay, who could polish off a case in less than three weeks, though she’d most likely deny it.
“Having fun?” I asked, attempting to keep the conversation as general as possible.
“A blast. This place is a real gem. We’re already making plans to come back in the winter to hit the slopes and come in for another tasting. Someone told us you change up the menu.”
“We have seasonal wines. In the winter, we’ll have a few new merlots on the menu and a new cabernet Sauvignon.”
“I’m not really a fan of reds.”
“I’ve served a lot of wine in my life, and I’ve discovered a clear pattern. Most start with blushes, then move on to pinot grigio and chardonnay, and from their Sauvignon Blanc and Reisling. Some never move on from there, but others then take the step to red. Even people who swore they would never drink red.”
“I guess I’m a newb, still drinking pinot grigio.”
“It’s a fantastic wine that goes with many foods. Nothing wrong with sticking with it.”
“What about you? What’s your favorite?” She leaned closer to the bar, moving her arms together.
“I like a complex wine. One that doesn’t have one note but evolves as it sits on your palette. All of our wines are complex, but my favorite is Cabernet Sauvignon. It has flavors of blackberries, dark chocolate, and oak.”
“Sounds delicious.” She licked her lips, and I diverted my attention to the max capacity sign behind her on the wall.
“It is. You can always buy a bottle, and when you move along in your wine journey, pop it open to celebrate.”
She tapped a red fingernail against her lip. “I’ll think about it.” With a wink, she spun away and headed to her friends.
“You can stop staring at her ass now.” Lainey’s voice jolted me, and I fumbled the bottle of wine in my hand. I managed to secure it before I was surrounded by broken shards and a pool of red.
“Jesus, Lainey. Where the hell did you come from?” I asked, taking a deep breath and calming my already frazzled nerves.
I met her gaze, a million words on the tip of my tongue.
“I’ve been standing here for that entire intriguing conversation, but you were too focused on the boobs to notice me.”
“I wasn’t.” And for the first time, I actually meant it. The only boobs I wanted to stare at were the ones currently in front of me, revealed by the slight dip of her v-neck. But I didn’t need to see beneath the material. I remembered every detail. The pale pink nipple that beaded beneath my touch. The freckle on the left underside. The way they tasted of silky sweet lemon.
“Why not? They were nice. I was even looking.”
Too lost in my memories, I’d almost forgotten the conversation that sent me spiraling down memory lane. I couldn’t give two shits about anyone’s tits. All I cared about was Lainey, and in my moment of weakness, I destroyed everything.
“Lanes,” I said, wanting to say so much more, but not knowing where to start.
She held her hand up. “I just need a couple of bottles, and then I’ll be on my way.”
She had every right to hate me. I would accept it. Lay myself down on the floor so she could stomp all over me. But there was no anger there. No. It was much worse than that. It was indifference. And that… that hurt more.
“Look, about—”
“The wine,” she said, cutting me off. “It’s the only reason I’m here, and I’m in a bit of a hurry, so if you can ring me up, I’ll be on my way.”
