This was by far the strangest interview I’d ever had. Part of me wanted to stand up, tell Clark Jerkface he could shove the job where the sun didn’t shine, and walk out. But this was the new and improved Brooke. The one told by a half dozen self-help books to think first, act second. And despite the fact that this was a totally harebrained scheme, I wanted it now.
Ignoring Clark, I said to Antonio, “Thank you so much for taking a chance on me.”
He stood. “You’re aware this is a temporary, summer, position?”
I stood too. “I am.”
“I’ll get you the paperwork this afternoon. Do we have your contact information?”
I didn’t want to chance interacting with Clark, so I dug into my purse for a card. “My email is on there. I’m new to the area and in temporary lodgings for now, but hopefully I’ll have a more long-term place by the end of the week. Can I get you my address when I do?”
“Sure thing.”
Clark finally took our cue and stood. This close to me, I realized how tall he was. And now that the thought belatedly dawned on me, I had to ask, “Cosimo...Grado?”
He frowned. “One and only.”
“You guys are brothers.”
“Bingo,” he said in a tone that confirmed he really disliked me.
I honestly had no idea how to manage him. Even in business, when I was on the opposite end of a disagreement, I couldn’t say anyone actually disliked me, to my face at least. I’d gotten into arguments with people, sure. And had a dickhead boss, before the real dickhead who got me laid off. But even with him, I’d been able to manage well enough. But this guy seriously did not care for me.
The feeling was mutual.
I gave Antonio my full attention, determined to pretend Clark didn’t exist.
“So what’s next?” I asked. “Aside from the paperwork?”
In response, Antonio looked at his brother. “Cos? You want to take it from here?”
I really didn’t like the sound of that.
“Not really. But since you’ve forced my hand...” He glared at me. “Come into the back,” he said.
“Really nice to meet you,” Antonio said as he walked away.
“But—” I did everything but reach out to grab him, to hold him back. “I thought...” Shit.
“I’m Grado Valley’s winemaker,” Antonio said, grinning. “You probably won’t see me much, unless you venture into the vineyards.” He nodded to his brother. “Cos is the proprietor here. He’ll take good care of you.”
Proprietor. That meant he was in charge of the whole shebang.
I was not sure how Antonio defined “good care,” but I suspected Cosimo’s definition wasn’t the same as mine.
“See you around, Brooke. So glad to have you on board.”
I waved, still in disbelief. I’d gotten the job, but did I want it? Cosimo didn’t even wait to see if I would follow him. Probably was hoping I wouldn’t. For that reason alone, I held myself tall, lifting my chin, and all but marched through the tasting room and down a corridor that apparently housed the building’s offices.
What the hell had I just gotten myself into?
CHAPTEREIGHT
cosimo
“Fill this out.”I handed her two forms, not bothering to ask her to sit.
Thank God my mother was across an entire ocean. If she’d ever seen me treat someone this poorly, she’d have had my hide. I was not actively trying to be rude, but the look on Brooke’s face irked me. I didn’t want her here, and she knew it. But thanks to my asshole brother, here she was, shuffling in her purse for something.