He saw right through me.
“No.”
“Then here,” he handed me a wine. “Consider yourself working. Getting to know the neighbors.”
“With wine?”
He smiled. “You own a vineyard. Might as well enjoy the perks.”
Oh boy.
I watched as he sat as effortlessly as a man secure in a family who loved him. A man who could have any woman he wanted. Who just launched a successful new venture.
“Come on,” he said. “A little bit of day drinking never hurt anyone.”
“I’m pretty sure that’s not true.” But I sat nonetheless. The view of the lake in front of us on a warm sunny day. Wine in hand. This was certainly better than my average day a few weeks ago.
“So, to summarize. Your high-handed father, who was probably responsible for your parents’ divorce, sprung a life-change on you because his asshole friend thought running a vineyard, something he knew squat about, was a grand idea. Probably did it to win you back. And you’re trying to decide if being here is a good idea, something to get you away from a wrong career choice, or the worst idea in the world. Especially after meeting me.”
I hadn’t even taken a sip of wine. And I loved wine.
“How the hell...” My mouth was actually open. “Do you just say anything you’re thinking?”
“Usually.”
“Even if it offends someone?”
“Did I offend you, Rae? That wasn’t my intention.”
It was hard to be offended by the truth. “I’m...not. I just don’t know where you got that all from.”
He finished his sip of wine. “From you. I listen. It’s a dying art. Try the wine.”
“And you call my father high-handed.”
I took a sip.
“You know, they say most daughters go for someone like their father.”
I gave him a look. But he didn’t back down. “I really hope that’s not true,” I said, before realizing how much that statement revealed.
I sniffed first and then took a sip. Heaven. “This is one of yours?” I asked, surprised. This region wasn’t known for its dry reds. “How did you know I’d like this?”
He smiled. “Lucky guess. So go ahead, level three sommelier. What’ve you got for me?”
I held up the glass. Smelled and tasted again.
“Aromas of blackberry jam, cassis and cola layered by mint and white pepper. Some type of fruit fills the mouth with hints of vanilla and rich blackberry carrying through to a smooth and well-rounded finish.”
“Cooked berry fruit. Nice. I’m impressed.”
I would not revel in his compliment.
“It is one of ours, the Meritage, a blend. Seventy-nine percent cabernet, twelve percent merlot and nine percent cab franc.”
“Wow, I’m impressed too. It’s a really good wine.”
Marco’s smile was devastating. It was no wonder he had women probably throwing their panties at him.