“Thank you. I appreciate you coming. I know it must’ve been hard for you to be there with Luke.”
“I wouldn’t have missed it,” I answer, avoiding the latter part of her reply.
“Forgive me for prying, but I didn’t see you two together. Did you avoid each other all evening?”
“For the most part.” I sigh. Later in the evening I had a nice conversation with Aaron and Andi, but I didn’t speak to Luke again.
Mrs. Bianchi takes off her glasses and folds her hands on the desk. “I hate to put you in another awkward situation.”
“What awkward situation?” I ask cautiously.
“Mr. Bianchi and I were talking, and we’d like to put together a trip to Napa. We’d like to meet everyone in person before we commit to any deals.” Ryan has been working with his contacts in the valley to secure sellers for the additional grapes we need to purchase. We need agreements in place before we can finalize our plans for ramped up production in the fall.
“Sounds like a good idea.”
“We can use the trip to meet with owners and GMs, but also take some time to tour other facilities and gather ideas. We thought it would be nice to bring some of you along, sort of a working vacation.”
I now see where this is going.
“We wanted to bring you of course, and Ryan and Monica. We also wanted to invite Aaron and Luke. As investors, they’re certainly not obligated to go, but I thought they may enjoy it and I value their opinions.”
I sigh. Since the party things have been better with Luke. We still only discuss work, but our interactions feel somehow a little less strained. “I don’t have a problem with it, if he doesn’t. I can’t promise we’ll be hanging out outside of scheduled business meetings, but we’re both professionals. I don’t anticipate there being any problems representing the winery in front of business associates.”
“Great.” Mrs. Bianchi smiles widely at me. “I’ll tell Monica to move forward arranging everything.”
“Hi, Mom.” I answer the phone and proceed to shove my wet sheets in the dryer.
“Hey, sweetie. I’m sorry, but I’m going to have to flake on dinner tonight.” My mom is usually so full of life, her subdued tone unusual for her.
“That’s okay. What’s going on?” I stop pushing buttons on the dryer.
“I’m really tired.” Her voice also sounds softer than normal.
“Busy week at work?” I push the button on the dryer and it begins to spin. I shut the door to the laundry room and return to the kitchen.
“Not really. I don’t know, maybe it was busier than I think it was. Sorry to cancel on you last minute.”
“Don’t worry about it. Get some rest and feel better.” I’m a little concerned about the exhaustion I hear in her voice, but she won’t want any fuss made about it, so I’ll let it go for now.
“I will. Did you still need me to watch Amelia in a couple of weeks?” I asked my mom if she would watch Amelia the weekend of the work trip to Napa if Grant wasn’t able to.
“No. I spoke with Grant and he wants to have her.” I grab the cleaner and a new towel and begin to wipe down the counters, including the toast crumbs I neglected this morning.
“It’s good they spend more time together. I’m bummed I won’t have her all to myself for a few days, though.”
“Summer’s almost here, let’s plan for her to spend some time with you then.” To be honest, it will be a huge help for my mom to take Amelia here and there during the summer. As final phases of the expansion are completed, we’re moving into the season were securing new vendors is going to be key. I’m already anticipating a busy summer and fall at work.
My mom pauses a moment and I know what she’s going to ask next.
“Any developments with Luke?”
“Our work relationship seems to be back on track.”
My mother sighs. I suspect she’s disappointed we’re not together, even though she doesn’t come right out and say it.
“I have to tell you something. Luke came to see me last week.”
“Why?” I stop wiping the kitchen counter.
“He wanted to check in and see how you were doing.”
“Why didn’t he ask me, then?”
“He said he’s trying to give you some space.”
I roll my eyes. “By going to you? Honestly, I don’t love that he did that.”
“I know. He knew it, too. Said to tell you when you found out that he just wanted to make sure you were okay.”
I let out a frustrated sigh even though part of me acknowledges it was a sweet gesture.
“You should talk to him.”
“I have to go. I have to take Amelia to get materials for her history report.” I feel bad, but I don’t want to have this conversation right now. Talking about Luke is always an emotional endeavor and I’m looking forward to spending a simple afternoon with Amelia.
My mom lets out a heavy sigh. “All right.”
“I hope you feel better.”
“Thanks. I’ll talk to you later, honey.”
“Bye.” I say and press the end button on my phone.
“Mom?” a little voice calls, and I spin around to see Amelia standing at the doorway to the kitchen.
“Hey, girlie. Ready to go get your stuff for your state report?” I set down my phone.
“Yeah.” Amelia lets out an exaggerated sigh.
“What’s wrong?” I offer a frown.
“Luke said he was going to help me. He said he did a report on Alaska when he was a kid too.” She shuffles her feet beneath her.
“Oh.” I walk over to her and pull her in for a hug. “I’m sorry. I know you miss him.”
“Don’t you?” She asks looking up at me.
“I do.”
“Then ask him to come back.” She doesn’t let go of our hug and neither do I.
“It’s complicated, Amelia.” I stroke her hair and she pulls away.
“You always say that, but I don’t think it is. If you love someone you have them around.”
I’ve tried to shield her from the divorce and now from my breakup with Luke as much as possible. Creating a bad example for her has always been a big fear of mine. “Listen, adult relationships can be complicated, but our relationships with the kids never are. I love you, Dad loves you and Luke loves you, which never changes, even when the time you are able to spend with any of us does.”
Amelia nods like she at least understands the gist of what I’m trying to say to her. “Will I ever see Luke again?”
It’s such a loaded question and she doesn’t realize it. I answer thinking only of what I would want for her in this moment. “I hope so.”
I’m not dreading this trip as much as I thought I might. I may actually even be looking forward to a long weekend of wine, good food and establishing contracts that will help solidify planning at work.
“Thanks again for picking me up.” I lift my suitcase out of the trunk of Ryan’s car.
“Here, let me get that.” He grabs the bag mid-air. “No problem. No sense in both of us leaving our cars at the airport.”
Ryan pulls his suitcase out and pushes a button to close the trunk. “I can’t believe Monica scheduled our flight for six o’clock in the morning. She’d better be waiting with coffee.”
“I’m not chancing it. A coffee shop is the first thing I’m looking for once we’re inside.”
“You and I are going to make great travel buddies,” Ryan says as he motions for me to walk ahead of him.
Thankfully, check-in goes smoothly and we’re already waiting in line for some morning fuel when I hear a familiar voice.
“Good morning.” Aaron’s voice sounds too cheerful for this early hour. I turn around to see him approach us with Luke beside him. They both look effortlessly stylish in jeans and crisp
button-up shirts. I look down at the jeans and hoodie I threw on this morning and feel underdressed.
“Oh no, are you one of those morning people I’ve read about?” Ryan deadpans.
“Early bird catches the worm, Ryan.” Aaron grips Ryan’s shoulder as a greeting. “Good morning, Jessica.”
“Morning,” I grumble.
“Not you, too?” Aaron laughs.
“Jessica is definitely not a morning person.” Luke smirks and his eyes drift off like he’s remembering a distant memory. Maybe he’s remembering one of the many times he woke me up for a run and I hid under the covers. I always knew he would win those battles, but the resistance was part of the fun.
“It’s not that I don’t like mornings, I just like them better when people aren’t talking.” I smile at the end so they think I’m kidding.
“I’ll have to remember to never call you in the morning, then,” Aaron teases.
“Ten o’clock is still morning. I have no problem with ten o’clock.” The line finally moves. “What’s going on with this line?” I say impatiently.
“Better make yours a double.” Aaron raises an eyebrow at me, a hint of a smile on his lips.
“Don’t worry, I will.” I nod to him.
“What’s on the agenda for today again?” Ryan changes the subject. I’m not surprised he asks, he’s never been good at keeping his calendar straight. Some of the people we’re meeting with are his contacts, some are Aaron’s, but either way Monica is the one who finalized all the arrangements.
“We have a tour and tasting at De Luca winery this afternoon and then dinner at Brix,” I say as the line moves again.
“That’s right. The De Luca’s run an established, successful winery and are interested in selling their overproduction to us. Seem like good people based on our phone conversations. Could be a very promising partnership for both sides.” Ryan may not be great with time management and certain details, but he’s great with people and knows more about wine than any of us.
“Awesome,” Aaron responds as we move up to the front of the line. “All right, Jessica, you’re next.”
“Thank God,” I say, and watch the woman in front of me. I want to be ready to order as soon as she’s done. I stare at the register, listening to the men discuss today’s events behind me. As I eavesdrop, I note that Luke seems to be in good spirits and it instantly puts me in a more relaxed mood.
Once we all have drinks in hand, we walk to our gate to find Mr. and Mrs. Bianchi waiting for us.
“Good morning,” Mrs. Bianchi beams, when we’re still several feet away.
“It is for some of us,” Aaron says, and then looks at me.
Mrs. Bianchi laughs. “Yes, some people don’t appreciate mornings as much as others.”
“There’s something seriously wrong with all of you.” I say before taking a mouthful of hot coffee.
Mrs. Bianchi ignores my comment and is waving to someone behind me. “Good morning.”
“Good morning.” I turn around to see Monica walking toward us with a big smile on her face. Her boyfriend, Chad, looks like he’s struggling to keep up with her. He doesn’t appear to be a member of the early morning fan club, either.
We exchange various greetings, but I notice Chad’s eyes darting around frantically.
“Caffeine?” I guess.
“Yes,” he groans.
“Right back there.” I point back to where he just came from.
“Thanks, you’re a lifesaver. Monica, do you want coffee?”
“No, I’m good.” Monica shakes her head and continues an animated conversation with Mr. Bianchi.
“It’s unnatural to be that awake at this hour. I don’t think we should trust any of them.” I joke.
Chad looks at me and shrugs his shoulders. “I don’t get it, either, but I suppose people like us need people like them otherwise nothing in the world would ever get done before noon.”
After a flight delay for mechanical reasons and a second hold up due to our baggage carousel being changed, it’s late morning by the time we’re in the shuttle bus on the way to our hotel. At this point I’m awake and properly caffeinated, so I’m not as annoyed by Monica’s perkiness. She passes out folders with our itineraries, bios of the people we’re going to meet with and other pertinent information for the weekend.
The bus pulls in the circular driveway of the large stone building. A young man who looks to barely be of drinking age, greets us as we file off the bus and hands us flutes of sparkling wine. A woman with unnaturally red hair, and dressed in a navy suit appears within minutes and hands out room keys and property maps. Besides the crack of dawn flight, Monica appears to have planned out this trip well.
“All right, everyone. We have a few hours before the shuttle will take us to De Luca winery. Feel free to settle in, get cleaned up, whatever you want to do. We’ll meet back here in the lobby at three o’clock.” Monica says making sure to look everyone in the eye. She pauses when she gets to Ryan. “Three o’clock.”
“Got it.” He winks at her and she nods.
“You guys want to grab a drink at the bar?” Aaron asks, looking at Luke and Ryan.
“Sure, I need to answer a few emails, but nothing too urgent. What about you, Ryan?” Luke says.
Ryan looks surprised at first but shakes it off. “Sure, why not.”
Aaron glances around, but the two couples have already taken off to their rooms. “How about you, Jessica?”
“Yeah, join us, Jessica.” Ryan’s eyes beg me to stay.
“Thanks for the offer, but I think I’ll go lie down for a bit. Enjoy your male bonding.” Ryan makes a face as I wave goodbye. I grab the handle of my suitcase and walk to the elevator. Part of me feels bad bailing on Ryan, but maybe this is a good opportunity for Luke and Ryan to get to know each other a little better.
I exit the elevator to the lobby at a quarter to three. I feel refreshed after a room service lunch and a quick nap. I even had time to squeeze in a shower and some proper grooming. As painful as that early flight was, getting here early in the day had its advantages.
I’m about to sit on one of the couches in the lobby to wait for the others when I hear familiar laughter coming from the hotel bar.
When I round the corner and enter the lounge I see Luke, Aaron and Ryan sitting at the bar. All three of them are laughing and trying to catch their breath. They look like they’ve been having a great time, maybe a little too great.
“Hey, Jess.” Ryan spots me first and waves me over.
I give a simple wave back as I walk over. “Have you guys been down here all afternoon?” I ask with a raised eyebrow.
Ryan looks at his watch. “Shit, it’s almost three.”
“It is?” Aaron isn’t caught off guard easily and something about the sight of him realizing he’s lost track of time makes me smile.
“Plenty of time.” Luke stands and waves the bartender over. He removes his wallet from his pocket and throws a couple of bills on the bar. “Thanks for putting up with us,” he says to the waiter, before patting Ryan on the back. “You’ll need to come back up sometime and hang out with Aaron and me in San Francisco.”
“I will.” Ryan stands, too. “I got drinks next time.”
Luke nods at Ryan. “I’m going to go hop in the shower.” He turns toward the exit and walks toward me. He smiles warmly when our eyes meet. It catches me off-guard and I hold my breath. I haven’t been on the receiving end of a genuine smile from him in a while.
“I’m going to run up to my room, too.” Aaron smiles at me and then frowns. “Sorry to leave you down here by yourself, Jessica.”
“Don’t be silly.” I shake my head. “I’ll be fine. You better hurry, though. You’ll have to deal with Monica if you’re late.”
“She’s right. Monica’s sweet as pie, until you mess up her plans,�
� Ryan adds, walking past me.
Twenty minutes later we’re all reassembled in the hotel lobby. The men arrived back downstairs right before Monica had run out of patience. They’ve cleaned up nicely and no one would guess they spent the entire afternoon at the bar. With his effortless good-looks and laid-back demeanor, Luke in particular looks like he spent the afternoon preparing for this meeting.
“This afternoon we’re heading to De Luca winery. I hope everyone found time to read the information I gave you this morning.” Monica’s definitely a little amped up. Her jitteriness is going to make everyone nervous. I catch a look Mrs. Bianchi flashes to Luke, causing him to jump in.
“Don’t worry, Monica,” Luke says calmly, but not in a condescending way. “You can debrief us on the ride. We have a great team here, the last thing we need to do is try too hard to impress them. Everyone just be yourselves, that’ll be enough. Bianchi winery is great, but you all are why we wanted to invest in the company. We wanted to work with you and the De Luca’s will, too.”
Ultimately, this is what Luke’s good at. He puts people at ease and builds them up. People are drawn to that and can’t help but want more of it. Not to downplay his business knowledge, but I suspect this is the real reason why people want to work with him.
The mood of the group eases as we leave the lobby and walk out to the van. Luke and Aaron sit next to each other again, so Ryan reclaims his seat next to me. This time he doesn’t look as happy about it.
“Sorry, I’m sure you can sit by your new friends at dinner.” I smile at him.
“It’s your fault, you left me with them.” Ryan leans in. “I’ve always liked Aaron, but Luke was different today. You always said there was more to Luke than the over-confident asshole I thought he was. You can’t be mad at me for finally agreeing with you.”
“I’m glad you’re getting along.” I pause, debating whether I should ask or not. “So, what did you guys talk about?” I try to sound casual and begin to flip though the bio on my lap for added effect.
“We spent the entire afternoon talking about you.” My head jerks up and Ryan laughs. “I’m joking. We mainly talked about the winery, sports…typical stuff.”
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