Page 21 of A Taste of Chardonnay

“Sorry to hear that.”

She shrugged. “It’s okay. Part of life, right? The crappy stuff makes you appreciate the good stuff that much more.” She paused for only a second. “Dad was a deadbeat. Never met him. He took off before I was even born.”

Girl’s life sounded as shitty as mine, but at least she had a mother who loved her before she lost her.

“If I give you a job, I have a few rules.”

“Shoot.”

“No relationship drama. I don’t care who you date, but if there’s drama, you and your partner will be booted.”

“I left my last boyfriend on the side of the road in Tennessee and haven’t had the desire to date since.”

“Left him on the side of the road?” My eyebrow cocked on its own accord, my curiosity piqued.

“I discovered he was using again. Bastard lied to me. I will be as loyal as they come, but once you destroy my trust, you’re dead to me.”

“Harsh.”

“Have to be. I learned at a young age that if you allow it, people will take advantage of you. So, what’s the next rule?”

“Don’t be late.”

“I’m always early. Next.”

“Don’t bother me.”

“That seems to be a you problem, but okay. Next.”

My lips parted, but then I snapped them shut. Maybe it was a me problem. “When can you start?”

“How about tomorrow?”

I held my hand out to shake and seal the deal, and she eagerly accepted. “Don’t make me regret this.”

“Again, sounds like a you problem, but I promise, you won’t regret it. Even if you think I’m annoying, I tend to grow on you whether you want me to or not.”

“Great, so you’re like a fungus.”

“I’d consider myself more of like a remora.”

“A what?”

“A remora. They’re the ones that swim with sharks and eat their scraps. However, they make the sharks cartilage stronger.”

I felt like I was speaking to Gio.

“So basically, you help me, and I help you, and together we’re stronger for it. Andwemeaning this business. You think you’re busy now? Wait until I charm the hell out of your customers and whip up some amazing cocktails.”

“I don’t like a lot of people.” I was already busier than I had ever anticipated.

“But you like money and success; everyone does. So, you’ll just have to sacrifice a small part to get there.”

“I’m starting to wonder if this is a good idea.”

“It’s because I’m talking too much, isn’t it? I have a tendency to do that. Okay. How about a trial run? I start tomorrow, and if after a week you can’t stand me, we’ll go our separate ways without any hard feelings. Deal?”

She extended her hand, and I stared at it since we already shook, but I guess this was a new clause in our agreement. I accepted her hand and hoped for the best.

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