Page 106 of Gone With the Wine

“That’s ridiculous.”

Leo shrugs. “They say it takes the complexity out of choosing the perfect wine.”

“What’s wrong with people doing that?” I ask peevishly.

“You can’t have sommeliers everywhere. This way people can go online and get comparisons, tasting notes. Pairing suggestions.”

“Hmmm,” Jansen says.

I give him a narrow-eyed look. “You’re not thinking about that.”

He grins. “Maybe we need to get with the times.”

“I don’t like it.”

“Oh hey, there’s Uncle Geno. Hey, Uncle Geno, look who’s here.” Leo waves.

Uncle Geno looks up, nods, frowns at seeing me, then says a few words to the people he’s with before starting across the lawn toward us.

“Bianca,” he says, ignoring everyone else. From his tone I expect something different than, “So nice to see you.”

“You too, Uncle Geno.” I smile at him, showing my teeth. “It’s a lovely evening. I have so many memories of the harvest dinners.”

“It’s a tradition,” he agrees. Is he going to call me out on not having an invitation? But he turns to Jansen. “Hello, Jansen.”

“Hi, Mr. Lamberti.” Jansen extends a casual hand. “Good to see you again.”

Uncle Geno’s face tightens. Apparently the night he met Jansen he had a total melt down over Rosa and Jake’s marriage. “So you’ve taken over Take Flight.”

“That’s right. Now called Bar Down.”

“I hear you’re a hockey player.”

Jansen smiles. “Yep. I retired a couple of years ago. I played for the Long Beach Golden Eagles.”

Uncle Geno shrugs. “I don’t know much about hockey.”

“That’s okay. I don’t know much about wine.” Jansen gives a charming, self-deprecating smile.

Uncle Geo doesn’t smile back. “There seem to be a lot of people with no knowledge or experience trying to run wineries.”

Oh yeah. I felt that burn. My teeth grind together.

“Actually, I’m really lucky I have Bianca helping me,” Jansen says. “She’s incredible. So knowledgeable and smart. She’s had a bunch of great ideas for me to get my brand off the ground. I’m learning a lot from her.”

Gianni, Leo, and Vitto all bite back grins. Vitto gives him a nod of appreciation.

And I’m once again having a moment where I’m falling a little deeper into love with him.

Uncle Geno frowns at me. “I thought you were working at Caparelli.”

“I am. But I’ve been helping Jansen, too. I’m sure you know that Randall retired when the Wrights sold. And this isn’t a good time of year to be looking for a new winemaker.”

Uncle Geno appears nonplussed by this.

“Did you hear about Bianca’s award nomination?” Jansen asks.

Their faces all wear surprised expressions.

---