“Oh my GOD, stop it!” I slap all their reaching, frantic hands away, which sends me reeling backward into my seat.
Fuck, I amdrunk.
“They’re not supposed to be here till tomorrow,” I wail at the van’s ceiling. Teddy tentatively picks up an errant lock of my hair, and I smack his hand away.
“You’ve missed ten calls and thirty-two texts.” Laine hands me my phone from where it fell on the floor. “Plans must’ve changed while we didn’t have service.”
Fuck!I take the wretched gum out and throw back the bottle of water Hannah thrusts at me, then shove the gum back in, chewing furiously.Willingthe burning mint to dry out my brain. Everyone’s looking at me nervously. They know how crucial this moment is for Bluebell, and I’m drunk, smeared with sleep, and completely unprepared.
Well, so fuckin’ what?
I’m Zoe Nicoletta Brennan, boss-bitch through and through, and I’m about to win me that goddamn showcase. I grab the headrest in front of me and haul myself to standing. “It’sho-time.”
“Showtime,” Mattie corrects.
“I said what I said!”
The van cheers as I push past them to the front. “Darryl, you go first, and I’ll follow. That way if I trip, I’ve got something soft to land on.”
Laine pumps her fist. “Yeah!”
Bacchus must be watching over me, because my black zip-up boots carry me swiftly and confidently across our gravel parking lot to the front doors of our tasting room, where a small group of people wearing rumpled white linen and heavy black sunglasses stand looking distinctly put out. Olinda’s there, too, wringing her hands, but when she sees me, relief washes over her face. “Oh, thank goodness you’re here, Zoe! My shuttle broke down right there in the road, and it’s going to be at least forty-five minutes until the backup can arrive to transport my guests to their accommodations.” She winks at me then, with a mischievous smile only I can see. “I know you’re closed for the evening, but could you find it in your heart to let us in to get out of this heat?” Olinda waves her hand at her face. “My god, it is hot, though.”
“Yes, of course!” I pull my keys out of my bag with a flourish, which sends them flying through the air. Laine appears out of nowhere and catches them deftly in one hand despite being a few sheets to the wind herself.
Fucking athletes.
“So sorry to hear about your shittle troubles,er, shuttle troubles,” I say over my shoulder as I unlock the doors, praying Tristan remembered to wipe down the counters before clocking out. “Olinda has the best airport service in town. But since you’re here, might as well come in and take a load off while you wait.” I’m striving for nonchalance, feigning complete ignorance as to who these disgruntled fashionable people are. “Are y’all in town for a wedding? Family reunion, maybe?”Reunioncomes out more likeroonyin, but overall, I’m doing great. Very sober, three fishing rods up, me.
“We’re here on business, actually,” says a lovely older woman with silky, silver hair tied up in a simple topknot. Tobethat elegant after a long day of flying.Jesus, I am out of my league. “And a bit of pleasure,” she adds with a laugh as silky as her hair. “This is quite a coincidence, really.”
“Oh? How so?” I flip all the lights on, unable to hide my sigh of relief. The place is spotless.
Bless you, Stan. Bless you.
“We’re withEveryday Bon Vivant. I’m head of events, and this is my team,” Silver Fox says, offering her hand to me in a genteel shake. “Marisol Torres. Pleasure to meet you, Ms. Brennan.”
I command my eyes to widenjust soin amazement. “I heard y’all were looking at Blue Ridge for your annual festival! I’m so excited to meet you. What a surprise!”
Laine catches my eye and mouths,Oscar-worthy, and I beam.
“This is my vintner, Laine Woods. She worked at Le Jardin before coming home to Blue Ridge, and now, we’re lucky enough to have her here.”
Laine freezes, and I realize belatedly maybe listing off her California disaster-train exoduswasn’ta great idea?Shit.
“Laine Woods?” Marisol pauses, looking at Laine thoughtfully. “I’ve heard your name somewhere.” She taps a long nail on her chin.
Laine laughs a little, but it sounds strangely choked. “Oh, well. If you’re in the wine business long enough, you get around.”
“It’s wonderful to meet you both.” Marisol’s voice is a little distant, evidently still trying to pin Laine to whatever she’s heard about her. But then her friendly eyes land back on me. “We were already planning on visiting Bluebell Vineyards this week while in town. Unannounced, of course.” She smiles demurely. “You understand.”
“I do indeed.” I don’t know why I’m speaking like a debutante at her first cotillion, but here we are. “Well, I’m honored to have you here onthisunannounced visit, though I’m sorry it’s under your present circumstances. Hopefully a little wine can help?”
I sidle behind the bar, grabbing a still frozen Laine by the arm as I go. “Give us just a moment, and we’ll be right back.” I give the team a gracious smile, then pull Laine into the back. The door swings shut behind us.
“Laine? You’ve gotta snap out of it.” I wave my hand in front of her spooked face. “You hear me?”
“She’ll remember,” Laine whispers, her eyes still trained above my head at the wall behind me. “She doesn’t right now, but she will. Then what?” Her eyes flicker down to mine, fearful. “They’ll write off Bluebell Vineyards as soon as they find out who I am.”
