Page 73 of Lighting Up Christmas

“It’s a lot of work.”

“For a lot of pleasure.” He held up the wine again and took a deep breath. “Listen”—he leaned forward in his chair, the gas fire illuminating his face—“you okay that Brin is going to be the main liaison with String Theory? You’re going to have to deal with her, perhaps a lot.”

“She’s smart,” Zhang said, bored with the topic. “She knows what she’s doing. She’ll be an asset for them and for us.”

“Yeah, but she’s your ex.”

Zhang shrugged. He tucked his phone in his pocket, trying not to be disappointed that Riley hadn’t texted back. “She stopped by last weekend on her way to a project in Seattle. We understand each other.”

The DJ kicked on some techno mixes, covering up Jackson’s follow-up questions. The music was loud enough to indicate party, but not eardrum-busting, especially outside. It was important to get the balance right. Tonight was about mingling, relaxing. Tomorrow, the meetings were more structured, resulting in what Jackson and his event coordinator Alexi Cumberland called Happy Deal-Closing Hour.

“That’s all I need to know.” Jackson stood. “She’s going to be here tonight.”

Now that Zhang knew to expect her, he wasn’t worried. He followed Jackson. Learning to mingle more was on his list as was practicing the art of small talk, no longer always retreating. It wasn’t fair to Jackson to leave all of sales management to him. He and Jackson bounced development ideas all the time. He needed to come out of his office more, out of his head.

Brin joined him as he walked through the tunnel of tall electric vines that led from the parking lot to the barn.

“This is lit.” She laughed at her pun. She gave him a quick hug.

He nodded. “I asked Riley to create something epic and enveloping.”

“She did. It’s like a green womb. It’s even pulsing to the beat of the music. Smart. Color of money, and we are going to make a lot. You’ve hit another home run, Zhang. I’m glad we got caught up last week so going forward there won’t be any awkwardness.” There was no question in her voice.

Zhang didn’t feel particularly caught up. They may have been a couple for several years, but the two years apart had left no lingering feelings. Not having awkwardness or resentment between them would benefit their business going forward.

Zhang nodded. “Are you looking for anything particular in the presentation tomorrow?” he asked. “String Theory leaning in or out?”

“Trying to get an inside track?” Brin laughed. “I’ll save my questions for after the presentation, but considering your track record, Zhang, they’d be dumb to not be all in, and I’ll likely tell them so.”

Zhang nodded, distracted by headlights coming up the road.

Everyone had already arrived and been checked in. This was a high-tech presentation. He’d hired a security team. Tess knew the winery was closed this weekend, and he’d had the electronicgate at the bottom closed when the last guest had arrived. Tess wasn’t coming back until Tuesday.

The red and white classic truck parked, and a pair of long legs encased in swirling black pants that looked almost like a skirt appeared below the door, and then the door slammed.

Zhang stared. Riley. It was like his wish to see her had magically manifested her, and he drank her in. She looked like some kind of mermaid. Even her hair shimmered.

“How does that thing even run?” Brin mused, bringing Zhang back to the here and now.

“Riley, what’s wrong? Did you forget something?” He started forward, aware that Brin kept pace with him.

Riley’s hair flowed over her shoulders and down her back like a fiery cloud spewed from a dominant volcano ready to show off. Her lips glistened, and her skin glowed alien green in the lights.

She smiled.

“What are you doing here?” he asked, bewildered.

She paused mid-step. “I got your text.”

“Oh.”

This was a disaster. His mistake. And how did he explain without embarrassing her or revealing how badly he’d screwed up? Jackson would have known what to say. Riley’s gaze bounced between him and Brin and the guests sitting around the firepit and the light show.

He wanted to hug her. Say he’d missed her. But they hadn’t reached that stage yet, and as she stood there looking lost and vulnerable, he realized he very much wanted to be there with her. Now.

“The lights are sick. I think you’ve got a whole new clientele base far outside Bear Creek.” He focused on the practical.

Riley’s head jerked in a convulsive nod.

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