Page 54 of A Sip of Sherry

I had two months to pull off a damn miracle.

I would.The events and wedding end of the business was my brainchild, and it was my chance to finally display it on a grand scale and make Grandma and Grandpa smile down on me for carrying on the family name.

Rose came into my office and plopped into the chair on the other side of my desk, her phone in her hand as she scrolled.

“What’s up?”I asked.

“Hang on one second.”Her fingers flew across her screen as she tapped away.Then, with one final tap, she dropped her phone on her lap.“Sorry, had to respond to a comment.”

“No worries.How was the bridal shower?”It felt as if all she did was go to bridal showers.“This is what?The third in the last two months?”

“Fourth.It’s never-ending honestly.And they’re all the same.They each try to be different than the last, but there’s only so much you can do.”

“Just be grateful you never have to plan one,” I said.

“Yeah.”There was an unexpected sadness in her tone.My eyebrow arched.She and Wyatt had been together since college.They loved each other fiercely, and they both didn’t want to get married, despite my attempts at selling them a wedding right here at the vineyard.

“You okay?”I asked.

“Fine.”Her voice was overly cheery.I wanted to poke, but I remembered I didn’t want to talk about anything to anyone, so I gave her that courtesy.“I just wanted to show you the pictures from my recent photoshoots that’s going to focus on the wedding season.”She reached to her bag, which was still on her shoulder, and pulled out her tablet.She tapped the screen a few times, then turned the tablet to me.“What do you think?”

Staring back at me was a beautiful table setting, complete with a cascading floral centerpiece, vintage wineglasses, and soft blush linen napkins folded into roses.Beyond the table, the barn was in full view, twinkle lights highlighting the natural wood and open space.

“Oh, this is gorgeous!Did you do this?The setup?”I asked, and she nodded.“Maybe you should have my job.”Rose had always staged photographs, but her skills had been evolving, and now she had her own personal style that was a mix between classic elegance and rustic romantic charm.Not an easy combination to pull off.

“I could never do your job.Too many little details to keep track of, not to mention the people.I do better with those who are behind a screen.If they piss me off, I can just flip the screen the finger, and they’re none the wiser.You, on the other hand, have to put on a happy face and smile through their bullshit.”

“And people say you’re the sweet one,” I joked.

“Compared to you and Char, I’d say that’s a fair comparison.”

Rose picked up her phone again and started tapping away.She froze mid scroll.“Wait a second.”Her brows knitted together over the straight bridge of her nose.“I knew he looked familiar!”

I leaned awkwardly over my desk to try to get a glimpse at her phone.“Who?”

“Ben.It’s been bothering me for months.I thought he just had one of those faces, you know?But I have seen him before, just not in person.”She turned her phone to me.“His face was all over this brand a couple of years ago.A private wine label.Really sleek and modern.Limited batch drops.Full of influencer buzz.The whole aesthetic.I followed them because their branding was on point.They were gaining so much traction and then bam… they just disappeared.”

I leaned back, crossing my arms over my chest.“He told me about it.Said something with distribution issues caused the whole thing to shut down.”

Rose’s eyes narrowed.“Really?Interesting.I remember whispers about a messy investor pullout or mismanagement.”

“You think he lied?”At this point, I wouldn’t be surprised.I was starting to wonder if I knew Ben at all.

“Doubtful.You got the information right from the source’s mouth.I got it from crazy internet sleuths.It could have just been people making up stories.But because Iamone of those crazy internet sleuths, I will dig a little more.It’s been some time, so I’m sure there are new theories.”

I laughed.“Should I be worried you’re about to spiral down some conspiracy rabbit hole?”

“Ilivein the rabbit hole.Though I do come out for lunch.Breakfast.Dinner.Whenever there’s food involved, really.”

The tightness in my chest eased, and I smiled.Rose had that way about her.Bringing calm to my unease.My heightened suspicion was casual curiosity for her.But casual or not, she would dig, and if something didn’t sit right, she would dig deeper.

Ben might be holding back from me, keeping secrets, but I had Rose on the case.

If there was more to Ben’s past.More than what he had already told me.I wanted to know.

Even if it hurt.

“Keep me posted,” I said as Rose stood, her eyes locked on her screen as she started her descent into the rabbit hole.

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