Page 41 of Champagne and Daisies

He could feel the heat in his cheeks. “You just played me, to figure out how I feel?”

Molly nodded happily. “I wouldn’t say played, as such, but I wanted to know, and now I do.”

Grant shook his head. “I didn’t think she was interested.”

Molly laughed. “Men can be so dumb.”

He rolled his eyes. “Thanks.”

“Not a problem.” She looked up as a large group came in. “Here’s your menu. I’ll be back to take your order in a few minutes.”

Grant watched her greet the newcomers. He wasn’t sure what to make of their exchange. Part of him was thrilled that she thought Chelsea would like to see him stick around. Part of him was wary. He didn’t like that she’d told him without Chelsea knowing. That felt a little like high school. He’d been burned back then by girls telling him their friends liked him—setting him up to make a fool of himself. This wasn’t high school, though, and Molly didn’t seem like a trouble causer; she seemed far too down to earth for that. Okay, so she’d tricked him into admitting that he liked Chelsea, but he had a feeling she had his best interests at heart, as well as Chelsea’s.

He looked up as the door opened again. An older guy came in by himself. He looked familiar, but, at first, Grant couldn’t place him.

“Hi, Gene. I’ll be right with you,” called Molly. “Grab a seat wherever you like.”

Gene looked around, and Grant caught his eye with a smile. Gene came over to join him. “Hi, Grant. I’m glad to see you found the best eatery in town.”

Grant smiled. “Me too. Would you like to join me?”

“No, thanks. I’m not stopping. I’ll take a seat for a few, but just till Moll comes. I’m only here to see her.”

Grant smiled. “It’s funny, Napa’s known worldwide for its wines. It has a reputation as one of the biggest wine capitals, and yet, it’s still just a small town in some respects, isn’t it?”

“I guess it is, to those of us who live here. You’re right, of course, about it being a famous place, but I don’t tend to think about that. I just get on with my life, and so do my friends.”

Molly came to join them. She bent down and dropped a kiss on Gene’s cheek. “Hey. How are you doing?”

“I’m great, thanks. I’m feeling better than I have in years.”

“That’s good to hear. Are you staying for a bite?”

“No, I’ve not got time. Rita’s got me running errands to get ready for tonight. Do you have her order ready yet?”

“Oh, gosh, no. I’m sorry. I didn’t think she’d want it early. I was planning to arrive at five-thirty and bring everything with me.”

Gene patted her hand. “Don’t worry. That’s what I said. I think Rita just wants me out from under her feet while she gets everything ready, so she made up a list of things for me to do—I think maybe half of them are bogus.”

Molly laughed. “You should make the most of it. Take your time.”

Gene shook his head and winked at Grant. “Only half of my chores are bogus. Some of them are very real, and they include a trip to the grocery store and a stop at the dry cleaners.” He turned to Grant. “It’s just a cookout, just casual, but I have to get my shirts back from the cleaners.”

Grant laughed.

“Are you going?” asked Molly.

Grant shook his head.

Gene gave him a hard stare. “Why not?”

Grant shrugged and gave them a sheepish grin. “For one thing, I’m not sure what you’re talking about, and for another, I am sure I wasn’t invited.”

“Dammit.” Gene shook his head. “I didn’t ask you?”

“Nope.”

“Well, I’m asking you now, okay? As you have no doubt gathered, we’re having a cookout this evening. It’s nothing fancy, despite the fact that I need my shirts back from the cleaners. Just friends, mostly from work.” He met Grant’s gaze, and there was a noticeable twinkle in his eye. “Chelsea’s coming.”

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