Page 48 of Drunk on Love

“Wasn’t there a fire here in the year of this vintage?” he demanded. “How are those really Napa Valley grapes, then?”

This guy seemed obsessed with the idea that they were, what, sneaking in grapes from across the Sonoma border? Or from somewhere in the Central Valley?

“There have been fires here in Napa Valley frequently, unfortunately, over the last few years,” he said. “Climate change isn’t great for the wine business. But fortunately for Noble, wemanaged to harvest most of our grapes just in time to save them, though there have been a few years where we’ve lost some vintages.”

There he was, saying “we” again, like he’d personally been there to harvest grapes. He should probably dial back his feeling of ownership here—this whole sojourn in Napa was supposed to last him only a few months, remember? Until he had to go back to his real life.

“Are you sure some of the bad grapes didn’t just... slip in?” the guy said. He lowered his voice. “You can tell me.”

This guy had a real attitude.

“Yep,” Luke said. “I’m sure.”

“Can we taste the difference between the same wine in different years?” He looked around at his group, like he’d just won something. “Just to... see.”

“We’d be happy to let you taste anything you like.”

Luke smiled as he heard Margot’s commanding, courteous, and clearly—at least to him—absolutely furious voice coming from behind him. The people at the table didn’t seem to notice how angry she was, but he knew, even without turning around.

“Hello. I’m Margot Noble, co-owner of this winery,” she said. “Luke and I will get those wines for you to taste. Please let me know if you have any other questions about the integrity of our winemaking.”

Luke didn’t look at Margot, but looked at the know-it-all to see his response. He opened his mouth, and then closed it, at least four times before he actually got words out.

“Oh, I wasn’t saying... I was just wondering... You hear stories...”

Now Luke turned to look at Margot, who smiled oh-so-widely.

“Oh, of course,” she said. “No offense taken. I just wanted to offer up my expertise.”

Luke hoped Margot never looked at him like that. She definitely wanted to throw that man out the window. Without opening it first.

“I’ll be right back with those wines,” he said.

Margot turned to him, and her smile changed. It was conspiratorial now.

And so fucking hot.

“Thanks, Luke,” she said as they walked together to the bar. “I’ve got this from here.”

He raised his eyebrows at her.

“Oh, I’m sure you do,” he said under his breath.

She winked at him.

“You know it,” she said.

They locked eyes for a moment. Finally, Margot looked away.

“Go check on that group in the corner. They seem fun. Actually, wait.” She went behind the bar and came out with a bottle. “Give them some of this.”

Luke took the bottle from Margot and went back over to the fun group.

“Can I offer you three—or you two, rather,” he said, with an apologetic look at the pregnant one, “a taste of our 2014 estate Cab? Margot—our co-owner over there—thinks you might enjoy it.”

They all giggled.

“If that’s an apology for making us listen to that blowhard,” the one with the curly hair said, “no need. Not that we’ll say no to the wine, obviously, but watching her insult him to his face without him knowing what she was doing was a master class, and I thought I was good at that.”

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