Page 41 of Love, Lies, and Celtic Knots

"What do you have?" Ryan asks, his tone impatient.

"No name yet," I answer. "But she's a tall blonde, legs for miles, a total bombshell. Expensive clothes. Cruises around in a Rolls Royce with a driver. She sounds like a shark to me."

"Hmm…"

"Supposedly, she’s frequently around town, so she should be easy enough to spot. I’ll try to get a picture if I see her. Does it sound like someone you know?"

Ryan barks a cynical laugh. "A blonde, leggy bombshell? Sounds like nearly every woman I know." He huffs out a breath.

"Maybe she knows about Sophie's new wines. I'm telling you, Ryan, Soph has some knockout winners here. She's about to put your family’s winery back on the map in abigway."

"Soph?" Ryan asked, his tone incredulous.

I close my eyes as realization hits. I've grown attached to my boss on a secret assignment for a friend, and now Ryan knows it. And while I haven’t lost perspective or focus, the optics don’t look good, and I know how easy it would be to get carried away with this obsession for Sophie if I’m not careful.

I release a rough breath. "I like her, man. A lot. I know it's a complication, and I'm sorry about that, Ryan. I really am. But your winemaker is really something else. I had to pick my jaw off the floor the moment I met her, and it doesn't help that she's fucking brilliant at making wine. I've never worked with anyone who has natural instincts like hers."

There’s a long pause on the other end, and I picture the spinning wheels in Ryan's head as he calculates whether or not this is a logistical issue.

"Will this attachment to Sophie be an issue for you?" Ryan asks, his voice soft. "Is it problematic for this op?"

"No." My voice is firm. There's no way he's pulling me off this job. Not only do I want to help him after everything he's done for my brother and family, but I can't leave Sophie. "No, Ryan. Trust me. I've got this." I draw in a deep breath. "But I have to be honest with you, man. Sophie really means something to me and I can't walk away from her when this is all over."

Ryan chuckles. "Okay, okay. I believe you. I'm not pulling you away from this assignment. You've done a great job already. But what you really need to worry about is if Sophie feels the same way about you. You and I both know how finicky women can be. I don't want to see you get hurt while you're working for me."

I bite back a laugh. "Don't worry about me, Ryan. The feeling between me and Soph is mutual. As for the winery, I'll keep digging and maybe check out Brennen's office when he isn't around."

"Is he absent a lot?"

"Off and on. According to the staff, he has been lately. I hear he’s more on edge, and he disappears for long periods of time. And when he comes back, he looks relaxed, like he’s been at some luxury spa or something. But I'd swear on my grandmother's life that the guy never does drugs. Hell, he barely drinks the wine he sells."

Ryan snorts. "That's because it's all shit."

"Not anymore, man. I'm telling you—Sophie's white wine blend is fucking fantastic. We released it today at the festival, and we sold out. The other ones we’re working on will probably be even better. As long as we don't go under from money problems, this winery's popularity is going to explode."

"The winery is NOT going under," Ryan growls. "I can promise you that. Keep digging and let me know what you find. Later." He ends the call without another word, and I set my phone to mute before shoving it back into my pocket.

I turn around and spot Sophie a hundred feet or so down the beach, packing away our romantic dinner, and my heart drops. I hadn't realized I'd walked so far away from her, but I had to make sure she couldn't hear my conversation with Ryan.

Ryan and I both know the importance of keeping all of this under wraps. And while my fascination with Sophie is a distraction on those terms, it won’t hinder my ultimate mission.

"Hey, I'm sorry about that," I mutter as I reach her. "I really had to take that call." I watch as she folds the blanket in rough, jerky motions, her agitation apparent.

"It's fine." Her jaw is firm, and she doesn't meet my eyes. My instincts recognize that we've backpedaled quite a ways from that hot moment before the phone call. I know it will take some work to get there again, but first I need to figure out why she is so upset. Finally, she looks up, and I see the hurt in her eyes, and it makes something in my chest clench.

"Was it your family?"

"Yeah, you could say that," I evade as I rub the back of my neck.

Her eyes drop to the sand, and I know I've said the wrong thing. "I was working on a project for a close family friend before I left Texas, and I had to give him an update. That's all that was. It’s time sensitive and confidential, which was why I had to walk down the beach a bit. He was supposed to call me earlier today, but got stuck in a bunch of meetings, which isn't unusual for him."

"He's a busy guy, huh?"

"Hell yeah, he is. He's the guy I told you about who promised to fund my winery when I was ready."

Sophie's eyebrows shoot up, and her face relaxes. "Then you had to take that call."

I slowly nod, wondering how much I can tell her without giving anything away. "I did. He's a former Navy SEAL andserved with my brother, saved Leo’s ass more times than I can count. I'll do just about anything I can for this guy." I give her a smoldering look. "Including pulling myself away from the most perfect kiss I've ever had with the most beautiful woman I've ever met." Satisfaction fills my chest as a rosy blush creeps over her cheeks.

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