Page 72 of A Taste of Chardonnay

“We do not need or want a nickname,” Chardonnay deadpanned.

“But it’ll make it official. What else are we supposed to call you?”

“By our names. We are two separate people.”

“Who are now together, making one powerful unit.”

Odette snapped her fingers. “I got it. Brachard.”

“That sounds like a type of cheese,” Chardonnay countered.

“Yeah, let’s not go with that one.”

“I’ll keep trying.”

Chardonnay sighed. “I wish you wouldn’t.”

Odette ignored Chardonnay, gave a wave, and trotted off, mumbling more name mashups as she went.

“She’s going to make this a thing, isn’t she?”

“Has Odette ever been stopped when she gets something in her head?”

“Then why hasn’t she given Laurent and Phoebe a name, or Franc and Quinn, or Lainey and Nero, or Rose and Wyatt? Why the hell are we the unfortunate ones?”

“You heard her. We’re a powerful unit.”

Chardonnay groaned and pressed fingers to her forehead. “That does not make me feel any better.”

“It could be worse.”

Her head tilted, and she took me in, those dark brown eyes skeptical. “How?”

“She could get us matching outfits with the name on it.”

A chuckle escaped, and I rubbed at my chin, surprised by the lightness of the moment after an intense town hall meeting.

“Could you imagine? It would probably have flowers on it.”

“Big color coordinated matching flowers.”

“Okay, you’re right. Could be worse.”

“Besides, some new town gossip will pop up in the next few days, and she’ll completely forget about this.”

“God, I hope so.”

I kissed her forehead and lingered for a second. “Let’s go home.”

A flash of surprise crossed her features. It was so fast, if I wasn’t looking right at her, I would have missed it. “Home. I’d like that. I need to stop home first. Grab my laptop and a few things.”

“Like your ‘How to Take Down My Enemy’ notebook?”

“How’d you know I had one of those?”

I laughed. “I wouldn’t expect anything less. Take your time. I’ll be waiting.” I gave her a kiss, and we parted ways. I hopped in my truck and headed home. I pulled into the driveway, and Jack ran through the doggy door to greet me.

“Hey, boy.” I bent down and scratched his ears. The sound of my phone echoed through the calm night. I slipped my cell from my pocket and glanced at the screen. Ron’s nurse was calling again.

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