Page 23 of Love on the Vine
I snorted. “Am I the cupcake in that equation? You don’t know me that well. I’m notthatsweet.”
He cocked his head at me.
“Okay, I’m a recovering people pleaser. At least I’m aware of the problem and am trying to set boundaries.”
“You know what would be the perfect therapy? Going after what you want for a change!” Jin slapped his hand against the table for emphasis, sending my spoon flying.
Despite Jin’s optimism, I wasn’t convinced that Jake wanted me. “This isn’t the kind of thing you can force anyone into.”
“He already wants it. He just won’t admit it to himself.” He reached over the table and plucked at the sleeve of my plain black shift dress. “But, honey, if you’re going to do this, we need to get you a new wardrobe. I can’t work with the sale rack at the Gap.”
So much for the simple but professional summer look I’d been going for.
“Don’t you have anything a bit more fun? Like that sexy outfit you were wearing the first day I met you?” I could feel my cheeks warming again.
“I don’t know, Jin . . .” It was a big risk, and I was not used to taking those.
“Well, I do. Just leave it to me.”
* * *
Jin didn’t waste any time. The next day, when I went to the kitchen to make some coffee, he and Jake were standing across the island from each other, arms crossed. You could cut the tension in the air with a knife.
“Hi, guys. What’s going on?” I asked as blithely as possible as I snuck a cup from behind Jin’s head. He was dressed all in red today, from his sunglasses to the toenails that were peeking out of his leather sandals, like he was geared up for battle.
“Not much. Just the end of our world as we know it.” Jin lowered his sunglasses dramatically over his eyes.
“Jesus, Jin, don’t exaggerate.” Jake’s deep growl reverberated through my bones. “It’s nothing we can’t handle.”
Another moment of intense silence passed while I sipped at my coffee, not knowing whether I should offer to help or slip back out the door.
“Olivia,” Jin said finally. “When you look at me do you see someone capable of handling a crisis?”
I was afraid this was a trick question. Quite honestly, in our brief acquaintance, Jin had twice lost his shit over some poorly filed bottles (my fault entirely) and gone into a twenty-four-hour depression because he’d eaten an entire bag of salt and vinegar chips after downing a small pizza. “Um, sure, of course you can handle a crisis.”
Jake shot me a warning look over his shoulder, and I knew I had given the wrong answer. God, did he have to look so sexy when he scowled? His triceps flexed as he leaned against the sink, his hair falling over his forehead. I tore my eyes away from him to peek at Jin whose mouth now held the slightest hint of a smile.
“Fine. You win. Buy your ticket.” Jake grunted, snatching up his coffee. Without another word, he left the room.
“What was that about?” I asked, plucking two eggs from the iron basket on the counter.
“We just found out that our contract with the Shangri-La Group is officially dead and that Sungate has picked it up,” Jin explained. “Thomas is out for blood. He’s been contacting our winemakers with exclusive deals to outmaneuver us.”
“Oh no! Is there always this much drama in the wine world?”
“Only if you’re lucky. That means you’re doing something right.” Jin flipped the ends of my hair. “I’ve got some argan oil for these ends if you need it.”
I swatted his hand away. “So why all the talk about you handling a crisis?”
“I had to convince Jake that I can handle this. I have a good relationship with the COO of the Shangri-La Group.” He sipped his tea. “Jake wanted to go himself, as usual. He’d already bought a ticket to Shanghai, but I told him if I was ever going to become a worthy partner for him, I should handle it. And,grace à toi, I’m going.”
“You mean, that one sentence from me convinced him?” I laughed. “No way. I think he believes you can do it. He just needs to let go.”
“Amen, sister.” He gave me a peck on the cheek and whispered into my ear. “And you can thank me later.”
“What does that mean?”
“It means I can’t go to Burgundy with you, so Jake has to.” He gave me a little hip bump. “I’ll pack your suitcase if you pack mine.”
