Page 13 of Lochlan

“What's Lochlan like to work for?”

He retrieves another fry and swishes it in a tiny plastic cup of ketchup. “You pretty much got the full measure of his personality. The best way to handle him is to stay out of his way and try not to get noticed.”

“He's great with the customers, but is he that grumpy all the time? Does the guy even have a girlfriend?” I say, without thinking that the last question might have been too obvious.

Connell dips another fry into the cup. “He should. It might mellow him out, but I don't think so. For all I know, he's a monk living at the winery.”

“There's a private residence on the grounds? All the buildings look industrial, except for the office block.”

“There's no house on the property; he lives in a room. You passed it on the way to the storage; it was the door marked private. Before you ask, I don't know why. I know he's one of the heirs to the MacTavish fortune, so it's not like the guy doesn't the have money for one of those high-rise residences downtown. I guess he's a purist and wants to live and breathe wine.”

What Connell is describing is a young, antisocial, recluse who does God-knows-what in his room at night when there's no one at the winery. I hope Poppy hasn't selected a psychopath for me to seduce.

Connell tilts his head, his gaze searching. “Why so interested in his private life? Do you have a thing for the guy?”

“I've got a thing for keeping my job,” I quip back. “It's important for me to know the players.” That should have gone over like this is just a conversation about work.

“I like that answer. That means I can see you again, because we're obviously clicking here.” He points a fry back and forth between us to show our compatibility.

I can't help but chuckle at his silly hopefulness.

“You didn't say no. Let's do a real date, not thiswe're just two buds drinking beer.”

When I don't agree, he pushes his half-eaten burger aside and leans his arms on the table. “I know you're busy with volleyball, but you have to relax sometimes. I can teach you about wine. That would impress Lochlan. He likes it when the tasting room associates can discuss more than what's printed on the cheat sheets they give us. A developed palate and real wine knowledge are valuable assets.”

There seems to be more to wine than I originally thought. What little knowledge I have about the subject isn't winning Lochlan over. A private tutor might just be what I need to get through to him. Right now, there's no common ground to build on. “Teaching me wine in exchange for what?” I ask. It's important to know the parameters up front.

“In exchange for the pleasure of your company. And if our time together becomes more than that, it would be a bonus.”

“Agreed. When can we start?”

He blinks with surprise that this was easier than he expected, but he pulls it back into anit's no big dealmoment. “Let me know your schedule after you talk to Layla. We can begin with a tour of the winemaking facilities.”

“They'll let you give me a tour? How's that possible since you're not working as an assistant winemaker?”

“I've been at MacTavish for a year; I know everyone there. Wine is their life, they like talking about what they do, and if Lochlan sees that you're trying to expand your knowledge, he'll take notice.”

* * *

They holdevening practices in the gym, with most of us training in smaller groups. Pru was practicing with another squad, so there's been no time to talk. My practice ended about ten minutes ago. I'm in the stands waiting for Pru's squad coach to end practice for them. When he finally calls it, Pru takes the stairs to where I'm sitting.

“I've been thinking about you all day. I'm dying to find out what happened at your interview yesterday,” she says, taking the seat next to me and resting her feet on the back of a seat in front of us. “You could have waked me when you came in last night. Do you think you got the job?”

“I got the job, and I started working thirty minutes after the interview.”

She glances around to see who's close to us. We're the only ones in the stands, so there's no one to hear our conversation. “We're you able to meet your target?”

I guess it's become cloak and dagger. “Yes, he's training me, and we worked a three-hour shift together.”

Pru scoots over a little closer. “Did sparks fly? Did you fall madly, truly, deeply in love?”

“You read too many romances. I just need the man to fall in lust with me so I can get it over with. It was only my first day, but I know I made an impression on him.”

Poppy is waving from the floor. I hadn't realized she was practicing with Pru. Some wannabe partner I am. I wave back and that's the signal for Poppy to ascend the stairs.

She plops down beside me, an interested smile on her face. “How are things going, Kenzie? Have you made progress on your project?”

I glance at the floor and notice Livi is down there talking to a few players, but she has her gaze on us.

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