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She smiled, obviously remembering. “That one was a little provocative. I was hoping you’d notice it.”
“Oh, I noticed, alright.”
We stared at one another, years of our longing and missed opportunities between us. Or at least mine. When I leaned down to her, Thayle’s lips so soft and warm, I did more than simply kiss her. I told her, without speaking, how I felt. Not quite ready to say it aloud just yet and scare the poor woman away.
But there was no doubt in my mind.
I loved Thayle Burke with every fiber of my being and had for a long, long time. With any luck, she felt the same way about me.
TWENTY-TWO
thayle
I was goingto kill him.
Red-faced, I stood with Wayne as Neo ran back into the hotel having forgotten his phone in the room. Before we left, just as we’d been about to get in the limo, he patted his jeans pocket and realized he’d left his phone. But instead of heading back immediately for it, he locked eyes with me and then full-on kissed me right in front of Wayne and the inn’s parking attendant, who’d been standing only two feet away.
Actually, I might not kill him. He was too sexy and loveable for that. But still, I couldn’t make my cheeks cool off. The smallest things made me blush, even if I didn’t feel outwardly embarrassed. It was beyond annoying.
Of course, Wayne was looking at me with a huge grin on his face.
I smiled, pretending everything was normal. Pretending my life hadn’t just flipped on its head overnight. But apparently our driver was too observant for that.
“Did you enjoy your stay at Taughannock Falls?”
“I did,” I confessed. “Very much.”
He didn’t say anything more, but something about the man’s expression gave me diarrhea of the mouth.
“We’ve known each other a long time,” I said, glad I’d worn a sweatshirt and jeans. It had cooled off a lot today. Winter was just around the corner for sure.
“I see.” He leaned against the limo, arms crossed, as we waited for Neo. Wayne appeared thoughtful. “And you work for him.”
A sticking point, undeniably “I do. For all of the Grados. Neo’s parents, Arlene and Cosimo Grado, retired this year. Their four children inherited the vineyards. Neo is their winemaker.”
“I’ve heard of him,” Wayne said, “even before we met. He’s making quite a name for himself in the region.”
“Have you also heard of Sarah Gibson?”
Wayne shook his head. “I haven’t.”
“She’s one of the most influential wine critics in the world. She’s British, very well respected. Anyway, she’s never been to our area before and is coming in a few weeks. She selected, I think, only four or five wineries here on a cross-country tour of the States. And Grado was just named as one of them.”
“Sounds like an incredible opportunity.”
I thought about what a positive review from her could do for Grado, for our marketing. I knew in my bones she would be impressed. “It really is.”
“Then I’m glad to hear it. And happy for the two of you. Though I can’t say I’m surprised.”
My head snapped up from adjusting my crossbody bag, and I fixed him with a quizzical glance.
He smiled knowingly. “I mentioned that I was retired,” Wayne said.
“You did.” I thought back to the conversation. “But you never said what you did before this?”
“I was a marriage counselor.”
As the implication of his words seeped into my brain, I realized what was going on.
