Romancing the Wine: A Boxed Set of 9 Newest Novellas from Award-Winning Authors

by Jan Moran

  “When my family came out to Australia we had an opportunity to work on a vineyard. It was isolated and an hour’s drive from Melbourne. However, my parents were unskilled and took the job relocating us to Red Hill.”

  “Your family? All of you?”

  “Yes, all of us. We lived there, and Camilla and I went to a local school.”

  “Don’t tell me you came up with the idea to move to Melbourne?” she said in mock horror.

  “Not exactly.” His lips twitched with amusement. “But I wanted to showcase our wines and I came up with the idea of a wine bar.”

  Her head tilted to the side. “There are now, what? Four of them?”

  “Five bars in Melbourne and we’re looking at expanding to Sydney and the other capital cities.” He announced with confidence in his voice.

  “Your family must be very proud of you,” she said. Gosh, was there anything this gorgeous man wasn’t good at?

  All too soon they’d arrived at the studio. The driver stopped the car and walked around to open the door for them.

  “This is thrilling,” she said as they made their way toward the entrance.

  Other invited guests, also dressed formally, were making their way to the recording studio. The personalities stopped in front of the photographers to smile and pose before gushing about their outfits.

  A thread of relief darted along her spine when they bypassed the media. In her beautiful vintage dress she didn’t need some nosy reporter making some stupid comment.

  Excitement bubbled in her belly seeing the number of stars attending the event, their air-kissing, and chit chat. The strobe lights and frenzy of the evening made it even more very exciting. Casting a look at Diego, she was surprised to see indifference plastered across his face.

  “Don’t tell me you’re bored?” Astonished breath became caught in her throat.

  “I’m here for my sister,” he confessed in a deadpan voice. “But if you weren’t here, I would’ve happily made an excuse not to attend.”

  “Really? But it’s thrilling to be here.” She waved her arm around the crazy madness of the show’s taping.

  “Whatever, let’s go inside.” He held her hand and guided her toward the entrance manned by security guards.

  Diego waved to a group of people and a smile tugged at his lips before they made their way to them.

  “Who are they?” she asked.

  “My family. Also Eduardo’s.” His grin stretched wider.

  His family? Eduardo’s family? He had to be kidding. Her confidence plunged to her knees.

  Walking toward them, Lily’s heel slipped on something. She gasped, skidded, and started to fall. “Diego,” she cried, her legs outstretched and her bottom inches from the floor.

  Within seconds he’d grabbed and hauled her to her feet. “Are you okay?”

  Her heart humped hard, her breathing was uneven, and her ankle ached from the slip. “Not really,” she confessed.

  He checked her heels before inspecting the floor around them. “Someone spilt a drink.” A passing waiter was hastened over. “You need to clean that up, now.” Diego pointed to the wet floor. “My date just hurt herself.”

  The young man’s eyes widened. “Yes, sir. I’ll do it straight away,” he said, before scuttling off.

  With Diego’s arm strongly fastened around her waist, they slowly made their way to the group.

  “Hola como estas? Que lindo verlos.”

  “Hola,” someone said before there was a rapid fire of Spanish.

  Diego kept his arm around her, hugging her close to his strong body. He whispered, “They’re asking about you.” Turning to the others he announced, “Lily slipped but she’s fine.”

  Embarrassment, at his announcement, burned along every inch of skin. Her heart thundered away and her ankle ached where she’d twisted it. She really wanted to ditch the stupid heels and wear something more practical.

  Diego rapidly introduced everyone to her but she struggled to focus on who was who with her nerves still jangled after the almost fall and the throbbing pain in her ankle.

  She looked around for a seat, somewhere to massage her foot.

  A bloke knocked her from behind. His apology was as sincere as when her brothers used up all the hot water leaving her none for a shower.

  Her vintage purse flew off from her fingers and hit the floor with a quiet thunk. Bending down to retrieve it, the clasp snapped open and out tumbled its contents. Lipstick. Mobile phone. Keys. Mints. And her emergency stash of tampons. The little white bullets skittled and bounced along the floor where one lazily stopped right in front of a man’s shoe. Mr Sanchez’s? Mr Lopez’s? Oh God. Squatting, in her mother’s beautiful silk dress, she scavenged for her lost items giving priority to the tampons.

  Her gaze darted across the floor and feet to check any forgotten items. None. Good. Now to stand without tearing the dress. She really didn’t need her dress tearing, exposing her new lacy bra and panty set.

  “Lily?” Diego bobbed down next to her before she shoved her lipstick into her purse. “Are you okay?”

  “Barely. A bucket of dignity would come in handy.” She sighed.

  He assisted her to a standing position with ease. “Perhaps, we should go to our table?”

  Straightening her shoulders, frustrated tears threatening to spill from her eyes, she said, “Thank you, I would like that.”

  At their allocated table, she turned to him and said, “It was a shock being confronted by not only yours but Eduardo’s family. Not just one but two large Argentinian families.” She held up two fingers in the sign of a V. “You all know each other. Then I’ve tripped, been knocked over and had my purse and all its contents fall to the floor. Not the glamorous look I was hoping to achieve tonight.”

  “I’m sorry, I should’ve warned you,” he said with sincerity. “I’m used to noise and camaraderie among us.” His thumb caressed her palm in a gentle circular motion.

  “I feel like an idiot. My ankle hurts and I was on my floor picking up tampons.”

  He chuckled. “It’s okay, it could’ve been worse.”

  “Worse?” She all but yelled before lowering her voice. “I don’t think so.”

  He lifted her hand and kissed it. “I’m glad you’re here with me tonight.”

  And with that admission, all thoughts of tampons skittling across the floor evaporated and her belly dissolved into melted chocolate.

  Three hours later, the Sanchez and Lopez families, plus Lily, were seated in one of Melbourne’s newest and most up-coming restaurants in Southbank.

  “Camilla and Eduardo, you were both incredible. Such an amazing performance,” Eduardo’s younger sister gushed.

  Lily squirmed in her seat. Not only were multiple conversations being held at the same time, but they were being conducted in an amalgamation of Spanish and English. The noise level snowballed to a piercing decibel as champagne was consumed and more bottles ordered.

  Lily had marvelled over the exciting display of tango and had been literally jumping out of her skin in excitement. Her breath had caught in her throat watching Camilla and Eduardo’s live performance, which had been a breathtaking experience of dancing.

  But those feelings of warmth and joy had dissipated, as quickly as the champagne, at the restaurant. Feeling like she didn’t belong, Lily now just wanted to hide in the Ladies’ bathroom for an hour or two.

  “May I propose a toast to Camilla and Eduardo? Your performance tonight was nothing short of outstanding. You both stole the show.” Eduardo’s father toasted.

  Another cheer erupted from the table as everyone raised their glasses and drank more of the vintage bubbles.

  Camilla’s smile grew even wider, if that was possible, before Eduardo leaned over to kiss her cheek.

  With their faces scrubbed clean of stage makeup and no longer wearing their costumes, they looked like a regular couple. Lily made a mental note to ask Diego if they were in fact a couple.

  “I’m so proud
of you both,” Eduardo’s father said.

  Feeling a little lost, Lily leaned back in her chair. With sentences commencing in one language and finishing in another, she just couldn’t keep up with the chatter bouncing back and forth.

  For most of the night Diego held her hand in his. “You’re very quiet,” he whispered in her ear.

  Startled, Lily said, “To be honest, it’s a little overwhelming. Everyone knows each other and I’m…” She bit her lip before blurting out outsider and simply said, “It’s a-ah…it’s a little rowdy.”

  He swivelled in his seat to face her. “I was thinking of making an excuse to get out of it. But decided not to. Camilla’s my sister.” His brow arched. “Y’know how it is.”

  She gave him a weary sigh. “Actually I don’t. My parents are dead. My father had been estranged from his family and my mother, who was an only child, lost her parents when I was a teen.” She sighed again. “I’m actually a little jealous. I’d love to have a big family where happy times bring aunts, uncles, cousins together.”

  He rubbed his chin reflecting on what she’d said. “You’re right. I take this” —his hand swung around the table— “for granted. I shouldn’t have. Thanks for reminding me.”

  Surprise made her gasp. “You mean that?”

  “Of course I do,” he said in a sensitive tone while his fingers stroked her wrist. “I’m sorry about your parents.”

  “Thank you,” she said, appreciating the sincere look of concern in his eyes. Lily noticed a small hand tap him on his shoulder. His brow furrowed and he swivelled in his seat. Returning and facing her, he said, “My mother wants to talk to you.”

  Lily’s confidence gravitated southward and her nerves became a knotted ball. Temptation pulsed through her at the idea of shouting “fire” and evacuating the restaurant.

  Instead, she swapped seats, straightened her shoulders, and confronted Diego’s mother. She judged her to be in her mid to late fifties. There were a number of lines around her eyes making Lily wonder if they were from laughter or the hardship of emigrating and starting a new life in a new country. Plastering a warm smile across her lips she said, “Hello, Mrs. Sanchez.”

  The older woman returned her smile. “Donde trabaja usted?”

  “I’m sorry, I don’t speak Spanish.” Her tummy dropped after the incredulous stare she received from the older woman.

  “Your parents didn’t teach you?” she said in astonishment.

  Diego leaned over, interrupting them. “Mama, Lily’s Australian.”

  And that said it all. Why didn’t he say, she’s not one of us. Because not only did she look different with fiery red hair and pale skin, but her demeanour was quiet and calm. A stark difference compared to the loud, vivacious mannerisms from around the table.

  Diego shifted his chair so he sat next to Lily, facing his mother. “Mama wants to know what you do.”

  Determined not to be intimidated she decided to be herself. “I’m an executive PA. A personal assistant,” she clarified.

  “And where did you meet Diego?” The older woman’s smile did not reach her eyes.

  That wasn’t hard to answer. “At Camilla’s dance class. He was helping out one night.”

  “Oh, that’s when Eduardo was sick.” She clicked her fingers in recollection. She turned to Diego and patted his hand affectionately.

  Turning back to Lily, her hard eyes were ready and focused. A dark room devoid of furniture and a naked light bulb would’ve completed the inquisition.

  Dutifully Lily answered each question in turn.

  Yes, she had siblings. Two brothers. Younger than her.

  No, her parents were no longer alive.

  Yes, she owned her own home in the suburbs.

  No, she hadn’t been to University.

  And it would have gone on till Diego quietly spoke to his mother. “Mama, what have you ordered for dinner?”

  Diego’s head turned slightly to Lily. He gave her a wink and mouthed the word “sorry”.

  “Excuse me,” Lily muttered before standing and heading to the sanctuary of the bathroom to escape Diego’s mother. It was a little juvenile to go and hide in the ladies’ room, but hey, she needed a few minutes of reprieve.

  If she wasn’t supposed to be performing soon, she’d leave early, feign a headache.

  A hand tugged her backward and she ended up flattened against a hard body. Diego. He’d caught up with her before she could escape. Pulling her toward a darkened corner he asked, “Everything okay?”

  She breathed in his warm male scent as her breasts became full and heavy against the lace of her bra. “Sure, I-I ah…”

  “Needed a break?” He reassured her with a lift of his brow.

  “I didn’t want to say that.” She sighed.

  She shivered. Not from the cold but because her body was screaming out and begging for his touch. She melted against him, feeling his strength.

  Her breath quickened. She wanted him with every cell in her being.

  His thumb came up, tracing her jaw ever so lightly. Their gazes met. A tremor ripped through her.

  “We’re in a public place.” His dark eyes were smouldering hot. “As soon as we can leave, shall we spend some time alone?”

  Oh yeah! Her bones dissolved in anticipation. She’d go through the humiliation of the auction again, if it meant another night with him. Sucking in a breath to steady her wobbly legs, she said, “I’d like that.”

  He brushed his lips against hers.

  Her willpower not to be with him was as secure as a dandelion in a wind gust. Non-existent. Not that she cared, but she had to protect her heart. She could easily fall for someone like him. Not just handsome, but caring, family oriented, and with strong work ethics.

  No, she’d focus on the fun. Besides, settling down was not on her radar. She wanted to travel and finally have some fun in her life.

  The boys had finished school and the pressure of paying the fees had eased, which meant she could finally inject some excitement in her life. Her hormones virtually cart-wheeled in anticipation of more great sex with Diego. Brushing the sensible side away, she reminded herself of the sacrifices she’d made over the years.

  Sex for sex’s sake wasn’t a bad thing. She was a grown woman. Was it so wrong? No, she pushed aside the last remnant of doubt before returning to the table.

  The waiters had served the meals and everyone was eating. Her dish of sautéed seafood in a white wine sauce waited for her. It smelt heavenly but she wondered how she was going to eat with anticipation of being with him bubbling through her veins. She needed to be doused with a fire hydrant.

  Using a fork to spear a piece of fish, she enjoyed its buttery soft texture and it virtually melted into her mouth.

  Diego seated next to her said, “How’s your meal?”

  “Mmm, delicious,” she murmured.

  The conversation continued around the evening’s show and how wonderful Camilla and Eduardo had been. She blinked furiously as the realisation hit her. Everyone was speaking in English. Her heart skipped a beat before she turned to look at Diego. Raising a questioning eyebrow, he gave her a wink before finishing his meal.

  Soon enough dinner was finished, plates were cleared, and tea and coffee were served.

  A large white platter of petit-fours was placed in the centre of the table. Diego stood and walked over to speak to his father. Camilla came over to sit in the empty chair. “You’re a dark horse.” She playfully punched her arm.

  She shook her head, not following what Camilla was insinuating. “Sorry, what do you mean?”

  “You and my brother,” Camilla gushed with enthusiasm. “I had no idea that you two were seeing each other. He never said anything.”

  “I-umm…” Her words became clogged in her throat. It was really inappropriate to tell her the truth. There was nothing “serious” going on. His sister didn’t want to know they were only sleeping with each other. Besides, if he hadn’t rescued her on Saturday night, she wou
ldn’t be here.

  Camilla leaned forward to whisper, like it was as important as a national security secret. “Mama and Abuela were hoping he’d marry an Argentinian girl but they’re so happy at the idea of him finally settling down, they don’t mind it’s you.” Her affectionate words did little to reassure her.

  Her and Diego marry? What on earth was going on? It was like a vortex had opened and everyone was in on the joke except her. “What?” Her lungs seemed incapable of operating without her forcing air in and out. The anxiety of what others were talking about, let alone thinking of her, was making her nauseated.

  “Don’t worry, I put in a good word for you,” Camilla reassured her with a genuine pat on her knee. “You’re really nice. I’d be thrilled to have you as my sister-in-law.”

  Lily gasped with the shock of it all. Unable to pretend everything was fine, especially to Camilla, she blurted out, “We’re not dating. He invited me here to sing.”

  “Oh.” Camilla’s face was masked with disappointment. “It seems there’s been some misunderstanding. I thought, oh well, never mind.” She looked at her watch. “It’s getting late. I don’t think it’s the right time or place to sing. It’s noisy and it wasn’t arranged with the restaurant.” She paused, and then to cover up her blunder she said, “I would love to hear you sing, perhaps another time?” Camilla gave her a reassuring smile. “Thank you for coming tonight, it was really nice to see you.” After giving Lily a heartfelt hug, she stood and returned to her seat, next to Eduardo.

  Lily’s belly burned with frustration and anger. Her moment to impress everyone with her talent had been brushed aside. Diego hadn’t told anyone about her performance and he’d pretended to his family they were dating. Why? It didn’t make sense.

  This was all getting too hard. Being with Diego was supposed to be fun, a diversion from the everyday.

  She’d hoped the opportunity of the auction would spring-board her into a new career. But since that wasn’t going to happen, she’d travel first and then return to Australia and focus on her singing career.

  With that decision made, she stood and bade a cordial yet sincere farewell to the families. She congratulated Camilla and Eduardo again before she and her dignity made a hasty exit. The second time she’d done so with Diego.