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“It wasn’t your fault.”
He shakes his head, as if I misunderstood.
“Oh.” A realization hits me like a freight train. “You’re sorry about the kiss! Don’t worry about it. It was two people channeling the trauma.”Oh, ground, please swallow me now. “And you don’t have to worry, I won’t tell anyone. It was completely consensual. You don’t have to worry.” I blabber, heat spreading across my cheeks. “Really, Gio—”
“Would you shut up,” he growls.
Tears prickle behind my eyes. “Of course. My lips are sealed. As if it never happened.” I turn and lean against a wooden post to hide. To avoid his eyes. To avoid his expressive face. “It’s such a beautiful place. Are you going to buy it?” Let’s move the conversation somewhere safe.
Gio lets out a long breath. “It’s my friend who wants to buy it. Conrad Hermann wanted my assessment. He has a talent for sniffing out potential, but I’m good at assessing numbers and seeing business opportunities often hidden behind red numbers on a spreadsheet.”
“Sometimes it’s about more than numbers, though.” I think of the Wings employees who work hard, and for months they have been only a number on a spreadsheet. I guess that’s normal for Gio.
“Often it is. Not even the best business proposition can succeed without people. Sometimes I lose track of that, as you may have seen this week. But places like this, a family-run business, remind me of the value of passion and dedication.”
I chance a look at him. He doesn’t meet my gaze, his focus on the horizon, deep in thought, but his consideration again confirms there is a soul behind his aloof behavior.
Part of me can’t wait for this business trip to be over, so I can regain my senses, and part of me wishes we can continue this mutual discovery, and maybe, just maybe, explore it more.
Does he regret that kiss because of HR, because he’s my boss? Or does he regret it because it’s me?
“There is only one bedroom here.” Gio’s soft voice interrupts my thoughts. “I’m going to call Danita, so her son can drive us to Napa to get a hotel.”
“Is it far?” The idea of traveling anywhere spreads dread and painful exhaustion through my bones.
“Yountville is closer, but there is a wedding and some conference happening and they’re booked out. The other option would be calling the estates around here, but we may as well go to Napa.”
“Or stay here. I’ll leave the bed for you and sleep in the armchair. It was actually quite comfortable.”
He narrows his eyes, probably worried he’s going to expose himself to an HR investigation. Jesus.
“Gio, the idea of entering any vehicle again today makes me want to cry,” I plead.
He nods. “Of course, we’ll stay. Me on the sofa in the tasting room. It’s okay. My jet will wait for us first thing in the morning at the county airport, only 40 minutes from here. Let me call Danita and ask where we can get dinner.”
I smile, but it’s not an effortless movement, my heart still shuddering from the helicopter and Gio’s rejection. “Thank you.” I run my hand down my face as if I can wipe away the bitter taste. “Jesus, I don’t know why I’m so shaken. I should be exhilarated that we survived.”
“I don’t think there is a right or wrong reaction to a situation like this. I’m glad you’re okay. I’m sorry I dragged you into this.” He puts his hands in his pockets, awkwardness stretching between us.
He really is ridden with guilt. I don’t have the capacity to analyze this at the moment. “Do you think I can have a glass of wine?” I sag against the post, rubbing my hands over my arms.
A sad smile tugs at his lips. “Definitely. We’re in a vineyard after all. Let’s go inside and call Danita.”
While I search for wine, Gio gets the fire started in the tasting room. I sit on the sofa and take a sip.
“I didn’t know you could make a fire.”
His eyes widen. “Well, Princess, I learned tricks from mykeepers.”
Princess.
We stare at each other, the awkwardness from moments before melting away. Or perhaps the shadows are not as obvious in the room lit by the flickering fire. It’s cozy here, and sitting down, I allow myself to relax.
Gio takes his glass without breaking eye contact with me. Unspoken words hover in the air. I wish the professional boundaries would blur away and we could just move out of this vacuum of suppressed attraction. God, if only I wasn’t making it up.
“I put you in danger, Mila. You could have been home with whoever is waiting for you, and instead you’re here and—”
“Hello,” a voice from the entrance calls, killing the conversation. Gio rushes outside and after a few minutes he comes back with a picnic basket.
