Page 79 of Corkscrew You
No way. She cannotbe asking me that.
“I know it’ll be uncomfortable,” she presses on. “But, please – can you do this for us? For Mom?”
“You don’t even know it’ll work,” I protest. “Why would Dad listen to a stranger, when he’s ignored his whole family?”
“We’re desperate,” is her response. And her face reinforces it as the truth.
“I can’t ask her, Ava.”
I sound pretty desperate myself.
“Iwill,” she says, quickly. “I’ll go see her tomorrow morning.”
When it comes to the family stubbornness, Ava always had me beat. And, frankly, I’m too exhausted to argue. Shelby will never say yes, so I may as well let Ava try and fail.
“Fine,” I say. “Go see her, butdon’tinvolve me. OK?”
“Deal,” says Ava, and adds, “Thanks.”
“You’re welcome.”
I haul my carcass out of the chair.
“Now, if you don’t mind,” I say, “I have to go sleep like the dead.”
ChapterTwenty-Seven
SHELBY
Fig. I look like I fell face down in a clump of poison oak. My eyes are all puffed up, and red as a white rat’s. Good thing I have no intention of stepping outside today. Any business I need to do can be done via my trusty phone. Folk on the other end needn’t know I’m calling from my bed, either.
Theymightdetect that I’m not a hundred percent focused. Right now, all my senses are on full alert, waiting for the sound of the pickup, knowing it will instantly bring on the cold sweats.
Anxiety, embarrassment, and regret are already churning around inside me. Soon as Nate arrives, who knows what mad urges will take control? Will I run to him and throw myself at his feet, while lashing my back with some kind of cat o’ nine tails?
Wouldn’t put it past me. Pretty sure I could dig out a strip of leather from somewhere in this house. If that fails, I could always use an actual cat.
Oh, poop. I’m a mess. Physically and emotionally. But, much as I want to grovel for forgiveness, my instinct tells me it’s better if he makes the first move. Until then, I’ll have to be patient.
And pray he eventuallydoesmake a move. Because I don’t think I could stand it if he didn’t.
One bright side is that only he and I know about this. I couldn’t bring myself to text Chiara or Jordan. Maybe later today. Unless I have to spend that time crying again.
Come on, Shelby. You can’t change what happened, so you may as well buck up and focus instead on being productive. The winery needs customers. Nate told you that. So go out and get them.
I snuck into the office at dawn and stole the customer mailing list off Nate’s desk. He’s ruled (with an actual ruler, by the looks) pencil lines through a bunch of names. I may not have been on the ball the last few months, but even I can tell what that means. They won’t be placing orders. And I thought I liked those people.
Then again, they haven’t heard fromme. Nate’s efficient and capable, but he’s not a people person. The first impression he gives is the same one I got, that he’s aloof and a little superior. OK, soImay come across as needy, and a mite touched in the head, but at least I’m warm and friendly. Our customers adored Dad because his warmth enveloped you like a big bear hug. I’m more of a Beanie Baby-sized bear, but I’ll give it my best shot.
Fig! I hear a vehicle! Because my heart’s pounding in my ears, it takes a moment to realize it’s not the usual rumble of the pickup. This is the throaty roar of a sports car.
I pull back a curtain, enough to peek outside. Double fig! It’s the black Porsche! Nate must have told his brother it was me who dented it, and now he’s come to demand payment! Crap, where can I hide—?
Oh.That’snot a guy. That’s—wow—a female Nate. Same hair colour, same cheekbones, same posture. Minus about a foot in height. Plus boobs.
Nate’s sister, for who else could it be, is not heading to the office, but tomyfront door. Must be a mistake. Nope, there goes a quick, impatient knock.
Hastily, I rush to the bathroom and splash cold water on my puffy eyes. Then I head downstairs, slowing as I reach the door. What on earth can she want? Do you think she has bad news about Nate?
