Chapter 15
Another day in the tasting room. Yesterday, I acted like an asshole, and in the moment, I was completely aware of it, but I couldn’t stop it. I actually liked Damian… until I saw his eyes on Lainey. Then he became public enemy number one.
Somehow, I managed to gather some self-control and brought my ass to the other end of the bar before I did something I’d regret. Damian was a buyer for a string of restaurants along the west coast. He could help us with the current expansion Laurent and Chardonnay had been working on since Gramps died.
Asset or not, I still wanted to kick his ass.
I was tempted to drive by Lainey’s last night to see if she brought the guy home with her, but it was none of my fucking business. I was the one who left her high and dry in Philly. I had no right to deny her a chance at happiness even if seeing her with someone else was literally killing me.
I lifted a rack of glasses and brought them over to where they needed to be unloaded.
The sound of boots on the wood floors echoed through the tasting room, and I glanced toward the door to see Franc walking straight toward me. He tapped the bar with his knuckles.
“What do you want?” I didn’t even bother making eye contact.
“Spoke to Brady last night. He said you and Lainey were pretty cozy the other night.” I could hear the judgment in his tone. He didn’t try and hide it.
“So?”
“What the fuck are you doing?”
“Nothing. I’m a worthless piece of shit, right? And Lainey deserves better than that. I’m completely aware. So nothing happened. We’re friends, and lucky for you, it’s going to stay that way.”
Franc’s demeanor softened, his eyebrows curving toward the strong bridge of his nose. “I never said you were a worthless piece of shit.”
“Just because you didn’t say it doesn’t mean you weren’t thinking it.” I’d known him long enough to know how to read in between his lines. Lainey was family, and we only wanted what was best for our family, and I was definitely not it.
“I don’t think you’re a worthless piece of shit.”
“Could have fooled me.” I grabbed a towel and went to wipe down the bar top.
“Hey!” Franc grabbed my arm and yanked me back. “I don’t think that.”
I glared at him. Intensity grew in his eyes.
“What now?” Laurent demanded as he moved toward us. “I don’t have time for this shit.”
“You have a wedding to plan. We know,” I said, ripping out of Franc’s grip. Everyone fucking knew. It was all he talked about since he proposed.
“Is this about Lainey?” Laurent asked.
I’d be impressed he guessed correctly, but it seemed to be the only thing that had been talked about since I decided to kiss her. “Seems to be everyone’s favorite topic right now,” I snapped.
“Franc, leave him the fuck alone. He’s an adult. Lainey’s an adult. It’s not our fucking problem what he decides to do with his dick.”
“Huh?” Franc and I both exclaimed. This was the man that not too long ago told me to keep my dick in my pants.
“I might have mentioned it to Phoebe, who not so nicely told me Lainey is a thirty-four-year-old woman and not the twelve-year-old girl I remember. I have no right to get involved in her life, and Phoebs is right.”
“At least someone is on my side,” I said.
“I never said I wasn’t on your side,” Franc said, and that intense gaze from seconds before was gone. “But if you hurt her, you’ll have a lot of people to answer to. Remember that.”
“Trust me, I know.”
“For the record. I think it’s messy and complicated and not something you can handle, but it’s none of my business. Now Franc, come with me. I have to go over the production schedule before I meet Phoebe to go look at tuxes.”
They headed up to Franc’s office, and I leaned against the bar. At least I had one Grasso on my side, even if it was only because he was scared of his future wife. Can’t say I blamed him. Phoebe was a sweetheart, but there was a reason she was the VP of Operations for Green Mountain Resorts. She was ruthless when she had to be. I’d have to thank her later for sticking up for me. It made me appreciate her even more.
The rest of the day went by in a blur as I poured tasting after tasting and the memory of Lainey’s touch grew fainter and fainter. God, I fucking wanted to see her again.
“Nero?”
I turned at my name and held back the growl that wanted to rumble up my throat when pretty boy Damian appeared in front of me. I reminded myself that he could potentially do good things for the business, and though I couldn’t muster up a smile, I gave him a nod.
He was in a tailored navy-blue suit, and I glanced at my jeans and button up. I never gave two shits about what I was wearing. I had the confidence to pull anything off, but this guy made me feel completely inadequate, and I hated him for it.
“What can I do for you?” I asked.
“I have a meeting with Laurent and Chardonnay, but before I headed up to Laurent’s office, I wanted to talk to you about Lainey.”
“What about her?” The edge to my voice was unnecessary but completely out of my control.
“I don’t want to step on any toes. I’m going to ask Lainey out again.”
Every fiber of my being begged for me to yell, ‘NO!’ to jump across the bar and stake my claim, but Lainey wasn’t mine to claim. “You don’t need my permission.”
“I wasn’t asking for it, but since I’m heading into a business meeting with your brother and sister, I figured I’d give you the courtesy of letting you know.”
“If you want to ask Lainey out, that’s your prerogative.”
“It’s been a pleasure as always,” Damian said.
“A real fucking joy,” I mumbled.
Damian sighed and turned away. Guilt slammed into me like a Mach truck going ninety-five on the freeway. “Wait,” I said and stepped out from behind the bar. I was acting like a damn kid. Damian was just a man who wanted to ask a woman out—a woman who was perfect in so many ways.
Damian waited for me to speak.
“I’m a dick.” Not exactly the most eloquent way to handle things. “I appreciate the courtesy. You don’t get much better than Lanes, so don’t fuck it up.”
As much as it pained me, I held my hand out, an offering of peace when really I wanted to head into war.
He took my offer and smiled. “I don’t plan on it.”