Page 74 of Corkscrew You
“Ladies, good evening.”
It’s Ted. Making an unexpected appearance and lookingparticularlydapper in a slim-fitting suit. Its subtle charcoal-on-black check emphasizes his startling blondness. Ted even has blondeyelashes.
“Burberry?” says Chiara, eyeing the suit.
“I’m sure you’re right,” Ted replies, with a smile. “You so often are.”
“Always,” Chiara corrects. “I amalwaysright.”
Ted turns his smile my way. “I gather I’m meeting with your friend, Nathan, tomorrow.”
This is news to me. “What about?”
“Oops,” I hear Chiara mutter.
“Oh.” Ted glances between us. “Have I made a blunder?”
“Might have forgotten to mention he didn’t want Shel to know,” Chiara says.
“Hetoldyou that?” I demand.
Chiara raises her hands in the not-my-fault gesture.
“OK, fine,” I say, huffily. “So now the cat’s out of the bag, what’s the meeting about?”
“Er…” Ted looks to Chiara for help.
“Getting more customers for Flora Valley Wines,” she says. “That’s all I know, so don’t come at me.”
Fig. That’s not good, on several levels. One: it means the lack of ordersisa problem. Two: it shows Nate’s keeping secrets from me. Several: it proves I’ve been useless at running the winery up till now. It’s my fault we’re in trouble – and, worse, I should haveknownwe were in trouble. But I didn’t, because I’m useless.
“He wants to expand.” Ted always knows how to put a positive spin on things. “An excellent plan. Your wine deserves a wider audience.”
“Does that mean you’ll stock it here?” I say, beadily.
“If you charged twice as much, I’d certainly consider it,” Ted replies, unabashed. “Now, if you’ll excuse me…”
And off he swans.
“That’s ironic,” says Jordan. “You can’t get your wine in the Silver Saddle because it’s too expensive, and you can’t get it in here because it’s too cheap.”
“Thought you weren’t ever going to mention that place again?” I say, crossly, though it’s not Jordan I’m pissed at.
“Bar’s OK,” she says. “It’s the owner who’s dead to me.”
“It’s not like he led you on.” I’m being unfair, because I’m still crabby.
“HeknewI liked him!” Jordan retorts. “He should havetoldme he was spoken for!”
She has a point. It’s important to know where you stand. I wishIdid. And why don’t I? Why is Nate keeping stuff from me?
One of Ted’s waitpersons glides up.
“There are three gentlemen at the bar who would like to buy you all a drink.”
We glance over. They actually look like nice guys, not sleazes.
Jordan responds on our behalf. “Men arecreeps.”
