Total pages in book: 109
Estimated words: 104471 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 522(@200wpm)___ 418(@250wpm)___ 348(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 104471 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 522(@200wpm)___ 418(@250wpm)___ 348(@300wpm)
Vance keeps his personal life under wraps. The one and only time I met a woman he’s involved with was when I agreed to the ill-fated blind date.
It was a disaster from the start. I left the restaurant convinced that our friendship was teetering in the balance because the woman he paired me with had one agenda, and it involved a wedding ring and me in a tux standing next to her.
“Thank Christ.” I smile. “Where are we having dinner?”
“My place.” He smiles. “I’m cooking.”
I’d complain, but he’s skilled in the kitchen, so I nod. “I’ll bring wine. Red or white?”
“Red.”
I nod. “Done.”
“Pick up a bottle of Bandello’s red,” he suggests. “Since we’re about to leap into the vineyard space, I should know what we’re working with. You’re a fan of it, right?”
Smiling at the one postage stamp in the middle of my desk, I glance at him. “I’ve never tried it.”
His jaw goes slack. “We’re sinking millions into this deal and you’ve never tasted it? Tell me Baden has.”
I shrug. “I don’t know. Miss Starling has, and she says the red has a bitter note.”
Raking a hand through his hair, Vance sighs. “Jesus, Reid. If this deal comes back to bite our asses…”
“It won’t,” I snap, interrupting what he’s about to say. “The business has been earning a steady profit. We’ll make some adjustments, improve where necessary, and in a couple of years we’ll make bank when we sell to a more established winery.”
“You’ve got it all figured out, don’t you?”
I shoot him a smile. “Don’t I always?”
“Bring a bottle of Bandello red tonight,” he says. “We need to know what we’re dealing with.”
“I’ll grab it on my way to your place.”
He glances toward my assistant’s vacant desk. “You mean you’ll make Evie run and get it, and then you’ll bring it with you.”
Normally that would be my plan, but since Miss Starling is so fucking proficient at her job, she’s clocked out for the day, so I’m on my own.
I can’t say I thought she’d get that list done, but then again, why am I surprised?
“She went home for the day,” I tell him so that I can see his reaction.
“What?” His brow furrows. “Is she sick?”
I bark out a laugh. “She’s fine. I gave her the time off.”
“You?” He points a finger at me. “You gave Evie a few hours off? Why?”
I should be offended, but I’m not in the least. I know I’m a hard-ass when it comes to our employees. Vance can be, too, if warranted, but someone needs to keep this operation running smoothly on a daily basis, and I’ve taken that burden on.
“She deserved it,” I say honestly.
He offers me a lopsided grin. “I agree. Drop by around eight for dinner.”
“Make it seven,” I counter. “I’m dead tired.”
“That’s what you get for pulling an almost all-nighter to get your claws into a winery that may not be worth every penny we’ll pay for it.”
“It’ll be worth it.” I run a hand over my jaw. “Trust in the process, Vance.”
“Don’t I always?” He smiles. “I’ll see you at seven, Reid. If you need any help before you call it a day, don’t bother Natasha.”
I chuckle because his assistant would have been my first call if I did need help with anything, but I won’t. I’m more than capable of handling everything on my own, even though Miss Starling would beg to differ.
The thought of her on a date tonight suddenly invades my thoughts again. It’s been a recurring issue all day. Every time I imagine her sitting at a table in a five star restaurant with some guy next to her, I’m hit with a bite of frustration.
It’s a new experience for me, and it’s not welcome.
“I need to get back to work,” Vance announces. “I’ll see you later.”
“Later,” I call after him as he exits my office.
My gaze lands on my assistant’s pristine desk and empty chair. I stare at both before I walk over, pull out her chair, and take a seat.
Closing my eyes, I inhale the subtle scent of roses lingering in the air.
“What the fuck are you doing?” I chastise myself before I push back, stand, and walk into my office, slamming the door behind me.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Evie
“I can pay,” Lottie insists as I dig my credit card out of my wallet. “Seriously, Evie, I want to.”
“No,” I say firmly, but with a smile. “I invited you, so this is my treat, and before we get into an argument about it, I’m covering dessert, too.”
She laughs. “Dessert?”
“Have you been to Cremza?” I quiz her about my favorite ice cream shop in the city.
Her head shakes. “Never. What’s Cremza?”
“You’ll find out after a quick subway ride.”
Before she can ask another question, I’m handing my credit card to the server. I grab hold of the offered tableside card reader and add a generous tip.