Page 57 of A Thirst for Franc

“She is.”

“Then don’t fuck it up.”

A laugh burst out of me. Laurent was always direct. “I don’t plan on it.”

A silence spread between us as an understanding cemented itself. All this time I thought Laurent had been tiptoeing around me. I’d convinced myself he didn’t think I could handle another relationship when it was the complete opposite. I was the one who didn’t think I was capable, who didn’t trust my own judgment.

The door opened, and my attention swung to the front porch. Quinn stood there in an oversized pair of my sweatpants that she’d tied a hair tie to the excess material at the waist. Her curves were lost to the large Vine Valley Vineyard t-shirt that she donned.

“My clothes aren’t dry yet. I restarted the dryer.”

Damn it. I should have checked.

Phoebe got out of the car dressed in another fitted power suit, this one a vibrant green. Her signature heels click-clacked on the driveway as she went around to the backseat. She pulled out a stack of nicely folded clothes and walked to Quinn. She was only a couple of inches taller, but the heels gave her another five inches. “I thought you would want something to change into. You’re a bit more blessed on top than I am, so I went through the clothes my sister left behind at my place. You should find something in here that works.”

Quinn accepted the clothes and offered a smile in return. “Thank you. That was very kind of you.”

“Do you think I could let you walk around in his clothes? A small thing like you. I imagined you’d be drowning in material, and I was right. I do like the hair tie trick.”

“Thanks. My mom taught it to me.”

“I have to get to work before my phone rings again with another crisis, but if you need anything, give me a call.”

“Thank you.”

Phoebe spun toward us and waved to Laurent. “Come on. Let’s leave these two alone.”

“Thanks, Phoebs,” I called after her as she opened the car door.

“Anytime Franc. You know that.”

“Can I ask what’s happening with my son?”

“Wyatt is going to bring him here by ten. Give you both enough time to get yourselves together,” Phoebe said before slipping into the car.

“And Rose?”

“I told her I needed help at the winery, so Wyatt’s going to drop her off on the way,” Laurent said.

“You don’t really need help, do you?”

“No, but I know you don’t want our sister sinking her teeth into any of this just yet. Wyatt won’t lie to her, but he won’t ask questions either.”

“I owe you.”

A sly smile spread way too wide on Laurent’s face. “I am so glad you mentioned that.”

I sighed. “What?”

“Tomorrow night is the town hall meeting, and I was hoping you could go in my place.”

“Oh, come on. Can’t Char go?” Our sister was basically the second in command at the winery. Plus, she loved meetings. She lived for them.

“The last time she went, Craig called me and asked never to send her again.”

I laughed. “You’re joking?”

“Apparently she tried to take over the structure of the meeting and told Craig he was a nice guy but incompetent when it came to organization.”

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