Page 3 of Champagne and Daisies

“And you think this Grant person you’re bringing in is the right one to help her?”

Cole smiled. “We’ll just have to wait and see. Won’t we?”

~ ~ ~

Grant went to the window of his hotel room and stared out at the setting sun. He hadn’t been back in Napa Valley in years. It was beautiful; there was no denying that. It was also the place to be if he wanted to make a name for himself in the world of wine. He’d spent the last ten years working his way around the world, consulting, turning businesses around. He was damned good at it, but it wasn’t where his heart lived. His heart lived here in Napa. He’d grown up here on a small family winery. His grandfather’s business. It had gone under when he was twelve years old. He shook his head and turned away from the window. And this was not the time to be getting nostalgic. He was here to do a job. He’d do it and do it well. Hopefully, it would be his in to the world of wine. If he made a success of turning Zosca around, he was hoping that it would impress Cole Hamilton, Senior and give him an in with the mighty Hamilton-Groves Corporation.

His cell phone rang, and he picked it up off the dresser.

“Hello?”

“Grant? Where are you?”

“Hey, Antonio. I just checked in to the hotel a little while ago. I was going to call you once I get settled.”

“No time for getting settled. It’s Saturday night. It’s time to party.”

Grant chuckled. “You’ve not changed then?”

“No. My tastes are a little more expensive, but then I imagine yours are, too?”

“Yeah, I’m more Michelin Five Star and a Fine Reserve than pizza and a six pack these days.”

Antonio laughed. “Good, then you’ll enjoy Muse. Wine bar, stroke night club, stroke place to be seen.”

Grant rolled his eyes. “I don’t really want to be seen. I don’t want to announce my presence here until the client knows I’m here. I should lay low until after Monday.”

“Bullshit!” said Antonio with a laugh. “Your reputation may go before you, but I’m sure it isn’t accompanied by a photo. We can say you’re my old college buddy, which isn’t a lie. That way there’ll be no chance of word getting back to your poor unsuspecting victim that the hatchet man’s in town.”

“I’m not a hatchet man! I’m a turnaround specialist.”

Antonio laughed. “Whatever you say. I’ve heard about the path of destruction you leave in your wake. I just hope whoever your client is spends this weekend in blissful ignorance of the bloodbath that awaits them on Monday. In the meantime, we need to go out and have a good time. It’ll be good to catch up. What do you say, do you want to meet me in the lobby in fifteen?”

“Sure, but I’m looking for a good steak, a glass of wine and a catch-up, not a night of debauchery.”

Antonio chuckled. “You’re in Napa now. This is the place where you’ll find everything you’re looking for and more.”

“I don’t need more.”

“Yeah, you do. You need to get laid. I can hear it in your voice—you’re tense, wound up. You need to lose yourself in the arms and the charms of some sweet little thing. It’ll help you relax.”

“Whatever you say. I’ll see you in the lobby.” He hung up and went to get changed. Maybe Antonio was right. He was wound up. This project was important to him in so many ways. He’d love to make a name for himself here, and there was a lot riding on turning this little winery around. Maybe he should do as Antonio said; have himself a good time and relax.

When the elevator doors opened, he spotted Antonio immediately. There was no mistaking him, and no missing him. He was leaning on the reception desk chatting with the girls working there. Grant chuckled to himself as he approached. Antonio hadn’t changed a bit. To say he was a flirt was the understatement of the year. He could charm the bird from the trees and the panties off any woman he met. The two girls looked like they were already willing to drop theirs for him. He looked up and smiled. “Excuse me, ladies.” He came and gripped Grant’s shoulders. “It’s been too long, my friend.”

Grant punched him playfully in the chest. “It has, but we both lead busy lives.”

“We do, and we’ve earned a break. So, tonight is the night we kick back and have some fun. Let’s go.” He raised a hand to the girls at the desk as they made their way outside.

The Maître D’ made a beeline for them as soon as they entered Muse. “Antonio! It’s good to see you. Your usual table?”

Grant shook his head in amusement and followed behind as they made their way through the restaurant and out onto the terrace. It was a beautiful balmy evening, and the outdoor seating area was busy. It didn’t surprise him that the table with the best view was miraculously empty, or that the Maître D’ led them to it. Once he’d gone, Grant looked at Antonio. “You really haven’t changed, have you? The best table, the best service at the best places in town.”

Antonio shrugged. “It doesn’t hurt that I own the place.”

Grant laughed. “I should have known.”

“Not really. I don’t shout about this one. I’m known for the wines and the womanizing. No one gives me credit for my business sense, and I prefer to leave it that way.”

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