When the final golf cart left, I took the walk back to the office by myself. I just needed the time to get my head together and the evening air did just that.
But, imagine my surprise when I got to the main office and Marlon was by my door with his phone pressed to his ear.
“Where the hell were you?” he asked, turning the phone away from his mouth.
“The vineyard. I walked.”
He looked at me like I was stupid but brushed it off.
“Grab your stuff,” he commanded, then he walked away. I guess he had to lock the place up and I was the last one here.
And with the way he walked away in a hurry, I also guess we ain’t talking about the cellar.
Just like New York.
Defeated, I pressed my office door open and collected my things. Chewy was asleep in my chair, so I scooped him up carefully.
The party girl in me wanted to hit the clubs and celebrate my win today but I couldn’t wait to get in my room and soak in the bath.
Oh how the mighty has fallen.
Outside the building, Marlon was waiting in front of a black SUV, still on the phone.
When he saw me, he placed a guiding hand on my waist and ushered me into the back seat.
“Marley, what?—”
He cut me off by holding a finger to his lips. Then to the driver, he instructed: “Home.”
THE RABBIT AND THE WOLF MAN
Marlon.
“What the fuck happened tonight?”
I keptmy phone to my ear with eyes forward.
“The event went well,” I answered. “The turnout was solid and the staff handled it perfectly.”
“That’s not what I’m talking about.”
I glanced at Aurora in the reflection of the window. She had the rat in her lap, head tilted back against the seat, eyes half-lidded. She’s either tired or buzzed.
“Aurora’s fine,” I said.
“That’s not what I’m talking about either,” Dillon replied. “Wyatt had to step away early because there was an issue with one of the deliveries?”
“There was.”
“What is the issue and why is it costing us $50,000?!”
I had a headache already.
“First off, calm down. Second. The bottles we shipped were mislabeled and the vendor was pissed. That’s all.”
“That’s all? How could you let something like this happen?!”
I waited for him to get his emotions together. When I heard the sigh of resignation, I continued.
