Almost Lover Read online

  Because, as far as my mother is concerned, there isn’t anything to celebrate.

  This is just business as usual.

  “Of course,” I say, trying not to sound choked-up. “Of course I looked this over for Enzo.”

  She doesn’t say anything else until I’m almost out the door. “Hiring Enzo was a great idea.”

  I pause because I’m sure something will pop into my head to say back to her. But I’ve got nothing.

  I make my way to the tasting rooms. The cleaning staff did an awesome job of keeping up after the guests all day today, so I feel no need to inspect anything. I just love to walk through and enjoy. Bask in the glory, I guess.

  I’m only halfway there when a shout stops me in my tracks.

  “There she is!” I recognize Meredith’s beautiful paisley maxi dress as she jumps off the side of the gazebo and lands in a heap. Before I panic, she springs up and waves her arms over her head like a crazy woman. “Jordan! We were waiting for you!”

  “For me?” I call back.

  I walk down the path and see that there are a whole group of people sitting under the twinkle lights and swaying red lanterns. Jack, Florence, Eddie, Meredith…and Enzo. Of course.

  Enzo.

  It’s not that I’ve been avoiding him, exactly. I’ve just tried to finally use some good sense and stop things before they get too real. Or, more specifically, too real in my head. I have a business to run. There is no room in my life for more broken-hearted bullshit.

  As if fate wants to laugh right in the face of my tough act, Enzo is the one who comes down the stairs with that gorgeous smile that slays my heart. My knees literally wobble at the sight of him.

  “All hail the conquering hero!” Eddie yells from the steps, arms raised in a V over his head. “Jordan, holy crap! I’ve never seen so many people at Golden Leaf. Like, ever!”

  “West Coast Woman emailed me, Jordan. They want an interview! You and your mother. And WCOS wants to feature Golden Leaf on their ‘Locals You’ll Love’ segment.” Florence holds her phone out to me, then pulls it back to tap out a message with the furious concentration that makes her wrinkle her nose.

  “You’re amazing.”

  That’s what Enzo says when we’re closer. We’re far enough away from the others that I’m fairly sure they can’t hear.

  “I couldn’t have done this without you.” I put a hand out, even though I know I should keep this hands-off. He grabs it before I can pull back, draws me closer, makes my body feel boneless.

  His eyes are more green than I’ve ever seen them before. “Stop, Jordan. It’s just you and me. There’s no reason to bullshit. Take a second and accept the reality; you’re fucking amazing, all on your own. You.” He snares me close and brushes a chaste kiss on my temple. “Just you.”

  My knees shake so hard, they have to be knocking.

  I’m saved from having to say anything by Meredith, who dances around us with two bottles of champagne. “Time to celebrate! Come on…we can’t leave all the fun to the customers!” She has orange poppies and buttery marigolds wreathed around her dark hair. She puts a bright poppy behind my ear and grins. “I can hardly see it. Your hair is the exact color of a poppy.”

  Jack ambles over and puts an arm around Meredith’s shoulders. “Flower Power over here busted into a bottle all by herself already.” He pulls me over and kisses my cheek. “Today was incredible, Jordan. I’m proud of what you did.”

  I’m about to insist it was no big thing or turn the spotlight to Enzo. Instead I clear my throat and say, “Thank you, Jack. I honestly could never have pulled it off without all of you.”

  “But you were the dreamer of the dreams,” Meredith says with a giggle just before she crushes me in a hug. “I love this place. I’m going to get married here someday.”

  Florence gasps and her eyes go wide. “Meredith Cho! You are a genius. Wedding venues! Of course. All the vineyards do it, we need to get on that. Small ones to start until we’re turning a bigger profit and can hire more staff, but this is definitely doable. I can have glossy brochures at the airport and in hotel lobbies by the end of the week.” Her black curls fall forward as she ducks her head over her phone screen and types away like mad.

  Eddie sticks both hands in his pockets and says, “So. How’s Aunt Etta taking this?”

  A little of the giddy joy everyone is reveling in seems to deflate the second he asks.

  “Oh, you know my mother. Taking it all in stride. Not remotely impressed.” I try not to sound bitter, but everyone goes eerily quiet.

  Florence puts her phone in her beaded bag and offers a sympathetic smile. “Don’t give it a second thought, gorgeous. Some people are completely anti-change. Even if the change is undeniably positive.”

  Eddie wraps an arm around my shoulders and leads me to the gazebo, which has been set up with blankets anchored by huge, flickering candles. There’s a spread of fruit, bread, cheese, and that damn chocolate dipping sauce. I’m still feeling like a major idiot for not realizing sooner what Enzo meant when he said ‘couples would love it.’

  I came off sounding like such a naive prude, and that makes me cringe. Because the second Meredith explained, I couldn’t stop thinking about what it would be like if Enzo and I ever wound up in a room with a pot of that sweet stuff.

  Alone. Naked. All night long.

  “Hey, do you need a drink, Jordan? You look like you got too much sun,” Eddie, my always observant cousin, offers “helpfully.”

  I blush harder.

  Meredith jumps to my rescue, uncorking the champagne with a celebratory cork pop. She pours me a glass, and I thank her, drinking the bubbly liquid and loving the wash of lightness that flows through me as soon as it hits my throat.

  Everyone spreads out and starts snacking, talking, drinking, laughing. I look around, happy that I have an amazing group of people I care about and can celebrate with. This definitely beats walking around the tasting room alone any day.

  “I bet this place will be proposal central soon,” Meredith sighs, pointing with a golden glass of champagne at the hills, barely lit with the last purple light of the sunset. She frames a scene between her fingers and the bubbling champagne flute, her dark eyes squinted like she’s already seeing it in front of her. “What we need is a few arches. I have an in with this amazing couple who are gardening wizards. They could plant climbing roses to grow up them. An arch and bench here and there?”

  “And, for winter, there’s a fireplace on the far side of the tasting room. Hasn’t been used for years. I think there’s a rack in front of it right now, but that would be a perfect place to make a romantic nook,” Florence muses, glancing at Jack. “Do you think you could do something about that?”

  Jack gives her a slow smile that lets her know he’s fully capable of helping her. Crazy how much innuendo some people can pack into a simple facial expression. “I’m sure I could manage. With Enzo the renaissance man at my side, how could I go wrong?”

  He claps Enzo on the back, and Meredith frowns, her flower wreath dipping down over her left eye. “Hey,” she says tipsily, pointing an unsteady finger at Enzo’s chest. “What’s this about you running the show? I forgot, but now I’m remembering. And I don’t like it, mister.” She crosses her arms and sways.

  Florence pushes her by one shoulder, gently, to keep her from toppling over. “Sometimes business can be complicated. When it’s a family business, that’s pretty much a given.”

  I love her for being so neutral on my behalf, but I notice the way Meredith glares at Enzo. Neutrality won’t cut it. “Minor confession time.” I smile weakly and glance around.

  Enzo shakes his head, but Meredith shushes him loudly, dribbling champagne on his pant leg as she announces, “I like confessions! Ooh! I know! Let’s play Truth or Dare!”

  Jack rolls his eyes. “We’re not in middle school, Mer. No games.”

  “Games are fun,” she argues, one hand trying to settle on her hip. But it keeps going off course b
efore she gets it there. “Adults play games too.”

  “The only adult games that are fun involve drinking or stripping. You’ve already got the first part down and then some, so I’m afraid you’re gonna move on to the second. And I have absolutely no interest in seeing my cousin naked.” He pulls a face, and everyone but Meredith laughs.

  Eddie clears his throat and takes an awkward sip of champagne, choking a little on the bubbles. “Everyone knows running this place isn’t easy, Jordan. I think…even though we know you gotta do what you gotta do, it would just be cool to see you get credit.” He turns to Enzo and holds up his hands. “No offense, man.”

  “None taken,” Enzo answers, leaning back on the gazebo railing and training his eyes on me.

  “Thank you,” I stutter, looking around at the faces of people who truly care about me. It strikes me as super odd my mother’s face isn’t among this crowd on this night. Which makes my next words creaky. “I guess you’ve probably figured out that Enzo and I have struck up a bargain.”

  Meredith’s eyes go wide. Everyone else looks at their shoes or the last sips left in their glasses or the floor…basically anything but me. The humiliation stings.

  Here I was flying so high, feeling like I was running this whole company like a boss, and now I realize it was all a game. My friends and coworkers feel bad for me. Because I’m embarrassing.

  I’m supposedly in charge, but I can’t even tell my own mother the truth. I hide behind Enzo, which everyone except my mother seems to know is a ruse. So basically, the boss’s daughter is playing at being in charge.

  When I think about what I’m really doing, the humiliating sting spreads like a poison through me. I just want to disappear.

  Enzo speaks before I can open my mouth and tell everyone that I had a great time but need to head to bed like the coward I am. I’m glad he’s taking over, because all the happiness that bubbled up in me today has leaked out.

  Honestly? I feel like a total buffoon.

  I expect Enzo to make excuses, laugh things off. I might have to endure being the butt of his joke, but I’m more than glad to play along if he can make this less pathetic. Maybe he can brush this right under the rug, gallantly try to save me from sinking into the hole I’m attempting to drill in the ground.

  With my eyeballs.

  I’m not using them to make eye contact anyway.

  But he grabs a fresh bottle of champagne, pops the cork like a champ, and gestures for everyone to hold up their glasses. I notice Jack nod when he only pours a splash into Meredith’s. He turns to me and so does everyone else, like they’re all drawn to follow him, moth-to-flame style.

  I get it. I really do. It’s how I’ve felt since the moment I met him.

  “I’ve never met anyone who knows how to delegate like Jordan. Not only is she the most passionate, focused, organized person I’ve ever met, she has that special magic that makes other people actually want to work harder for her. She makes them want to believe in spite of their pessimism. I’m not going to lie; it’s taken some fibs and some sleight of hand to make this all work. But, damn, she makes this place work.” He raises his glass. “To the wizard behind the curtain. To Jordan.”

  There’s a chorus of cheers as Enzo touches the rim of his glass to his lips and smiles around the edges.

  “Thank you. Thank you all so much,” I say, feeling a familiar pink flush go up my neck.

  I can pretend that blush is about being the center of attention all I want, but every time I look up and find those green eyes zeroing in on me, I need another sip of champagne to cool myself off.

  Which means I’m glugging my way past tipsy fast. My throat is dry, but I feel so damn warm. The bubbly plus that hungry look in Enzo’s eyes set a bonfire in my blood that makes me want to peel my clothes off.

  Bad idea.

  So many bad ideas are ricocheting through my head right now, and a crazy amount have to do with showing Enzo just how well I understand the whole spreadable chocolate concept.

  I want to prove to him that I could be the guru of sexy chocolate spread. I could have my own lifestyle blog about all the innovative ways I’d use it on every inch of him.

  I really need to stop guzzling this champagne before I embarrass myself.

  “You know what we need?” Jack asks. It’s an innocent question, but I have this panicked idea he somehow knows my sweet and dirty thoughts and is about to reveal them. “Music.”

  Relief makes me slump against the gazebo ledge.

  “Are you okay?” Eddie has ambled over to me, and is hunched down so he can speak as privately as possible. “I could’ve sworn you were inside all day, but you really look like you’ve got pretty bad sunburn.”

  “I’m fine, Eddie, please. Totally fine.” I try a friendly, “fine” smile, but his wide mouth turns down at the corners because he knows me too well.

  “Are you and Enzo fooling around?” he asks bluntly, eyes directed just to the side of my face.

  “W-w-what? Are you serious…you can’t be…”

  And then he gives me the sweetest, most earnest smile, and I want to curl into fetal position and disappear, because I know what’s coming next. I know and I hate it.

  My overprotective cousin is about to give me the “you’re a nice girl” speech. The one that makes me feel like a dusty old spinster everyone likes as a friend but no one desires as a woman.

  “Sorry. I shouldn’t have asked that. Look, you’re an adult, Jordi. I know you’re gonna do whatever you want. But Golden Leaf has been the one stable thing in your life. With your parents’ breakup and your dad remarrying, plus the ups and downs of the business—I know it’s been all kinds of stress, all on your shoulders. But now the business is looking up, all thanks to you…I just want you to enjoy what you’ve worked for. And I want you to be careful. Please. Watch out for yourself. Don’t…don’t get in over your head with a guy. You tend to do that, Jordi. I just don’t want to see you hurt again.”

  Eddie gives me that same gentle smile I’ve counted on to make me feel better since we were kids, but this time I want to scream when I see it. How did I become this meek person who needs pep talks to remember my place?

  I must manage to smile back at Eddie through the fog of my thoughts, because he nods like he’s sure I’ll be okay, then turns his attention to Jack and Enzo as they scale the sides of the gazebo, double-checking wiring I never even noticed was there.

  Jack flips a few switches on the electrical panel and slow, smooth music comes out of the speakers. It’s Billie Holiday, I think.

  Everyone lets out loud whoops and claps.

  “What is all this?” I ask, turning in a circle to take in all the work they’ve done.

  “A really decent speaker system Meredith found in the barn and told me to hook up. A little out of date, but Enzo was a genius with the wiring. He did it to make up for slacking off so badly.” Jack grins. “Your family has a little bit of a hoarding problem, Jordan.”

  “Yeah, they do.” I feel like I’m sinking into this music, it’s so rich and gorgeous. I want to dance.

  I want to ask Enzo to dance with me.

  But I keep things business, like I know I should, no matter how badly I want his arms to hold me during this song and all the ones that follow. I force a neat smile, look at Enzo briefly, then Jack and Meredith. Keep it professional.

  “This will add an amazing touch to any promotional events. Thank you all so much. You definitely went above and beyond.”

  “Ugh, too much work and no fun! Enough of that. Let’s dance!” Meredith throws her arms over her head and shakes out her silky hair, dancing gracefully around this little romantic space.

  My heart sinks when she lets out a throaty laugh and puts her hand on Enzo’s arm. Of course they’ll dance together and look absolutely gorgeous, too. I should be happy. I really like them both and they make a beautiful couple.

  But I feel a rush of triumph when Enzo shakes his head and nods to Eddie, who won’t even look u
p from his glass. Meredith winks at Enzo, then heads over to my cousin. Her tap on his shoulder surprises him so much, he spills his entire drink down her paisley dress.

  “I’m so sorry! I’m such a klutz!” he cries, wringing his big hands uselessly. “I’ll find a paper towel or—”

  “Forget it.” She smiles and ignores the droplets of champagne beading on the fabric. “I don’t mind taking a shower in champagne. Actually you might have just helped me check something off my bucket list, so thank you.” She pulls him to the center of the floor. “I heard you’ve got moves.”

  My cousin’s ultimate flaw is pride in his killer dance moves; he couldn’t resist showing off if his life depended on it. He’s putty in Meredith’s hands. Jack strides over to Florence, who looks kind of shocked and very hesitant. But she takes his hand and, when he puts his arms around her, she definitely doesn’t look unhappy about it.

  “I can barely remember the last time we danced.”

  I jump because I was so focused on everyone else having the time of their lives, I wasn’t paying attention to Enzo. Who is now so close the perfect crisp smell of his cologne—on top of that incredible smell that’s just him—twine together and make my mouth water.

  I should keep my distance, but I take a shaky step closer instead, grip the side of the gazebo for support, breathe deeper…

  And go lightheaded as the scent of him fills my nostrils. Holy instant aphrodisiac.

  “Right. Ha-ha.” I attempt a laugh, but what comes out is only a weak imitation of one. “Yep, it was so long ago that we danced. What did I tell you about bringing up that horrific wedding again?”

  “I want to dance with you again. Now.”

  I’m a little stunned, because I would have expected him to come at me with more subtle segue. I could have played coy and figured out some way to evade until the song faded and Meredith tried dancing with him again, because he wouldn’t brush her off twice.