Page 94 of Love Among Vines

“Sure, but you’re the boss. You could do a special menu with wine and pastry pairings. Baking classes. Hell, just sell some baked goods in a case at your register.”

“It’s not that easy. That would mean a different license and all kinds of changes.”

She squeezed him again. “Respectfully, I’m hearing a lot of excuses. I’m sorry that it’s so hard to be good at so many things. But you are in a position to do something about it.”

“That’s not all, though. Wine has kind of become my new dream. I love it and I wouldn’t want to abandon it.”

“Okay, so why don’t you outsource some of the winery grunt work and focus on the parts you love best? That would give you more time. If you needed the extra money, you could probably sell some of your grandma’s crazy furniture.”

He tugged at his collar. The thought of publicly offering his baking made him deeply uncomfortable. The wine was one thing—it was proven, practically a chemistry experiment in a bottle. But the baking was his special secret, and his creations were far from perfect.

“We should be talking about you. You’re the one in crisis here.”

“Yes, thank you for reminding me.”

“Are you feeling inspired? Did this help?”

There was a beat of silence. “I was really hoping it would.”

Damn.

“Well, there’s always tomorrow.”

They chatted through their entrees—prime rib and garlic mashed potatoes with apple chutney for Jade, blackened ahituna and fall vegetables for him. The fish was tender and smoky with a hint of spice, and the vegetables had a crisp snap. It was delicious, but nothing was about to distract him from the fact that in one hour, he’d be uncorking the first bottle of sparkling wine.

If it was terrible, his financial investment was worthless. He’d either have to try again or give up and sell the equipment. Admit defeat. Find another path forward.

“Hey,” Jade said in the darkness.

“Hmm?”

“You can do this.” Her hand landed on his, soft and invisible.

He squinted in her direction. Could she see him spiraling? Shouldn’t he be reassuring her that everything was going to be fine?

“Your energy is super intense right now,” she said gently. “Do you want to go so we can try it?”

“I think so,” he admitted. “I’m sorry.”

She cleared her throat. “What do you always say to me about unnecessary apologies?”

“This was a necessary one. I didn’t mean to make this about me.”

“It’s fine. Your anxiety makes me feel a little more normal. Let’s go.”

After some fumbling in the dark, they exited the restaurant and took the road south toward Hammondsport. Jade held his free hand but her worry line was back. Now he had ruined her night with his nerves.

Maybe it had been a mistake to tie the wine to this date. He should have just tried it by himself. But for some reason, he wanted her to be there.

After a quick stop to let Penny out—thankfully she hadn’t eaten the couch—Rett crawled up the driveway to the winery.

He turned the truck off, and they sat outside in silence.

“Do you need a pep talk?” she asked.

He straightened his shoulders. “I’m sure everything’s fine.”

She turned his face so he had to look at her. “You are a gifted winemaker. Whatever is in that bottle won’t change that. And you know what else? Nothing is ever promised. Tomorrow isn’t guaranteed. Seize this moment. Pop that cork. Bake your desserts proudly. Have sex with the weird artist from Manhattan.”

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