Chapter 16
“How’s the head?” Laurent asked from my office doorway. He looked like he was posing for a damn magazine cover in his designer dress pants and button-down. The Grasso genes were something else. Scientists were doing themselves a disservice by not studying them.
“Never better.” I glanced up, trying not to squint as a sharp pain shot through my temple.
“You’re a terrible liar.”
I sighed. “I know. It’s not fair. I’m surrounded by tall, handsome Grasso’s with perfect cheekbones, carved by actual angels, and here I am, just barely six feet and unable to tell a lie.”
Laurent leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed over his chest, clearly enjoying my rant. “You’re very dramatic today.”
“Blame it on the hangover.”
“So your head…?”
“Hurts like a bitch.”
“Figured as much.” He nodded toward the chair across from my desk. “Is it okay if I sit?”
“Of course. My name might be on the door, but you sign my paycheck.” A nervous laugh slipped out.
“Unless you’re here to fire me. Oh God… Are you firing me?
” My eyes widened, heart slamming against my chest. I got this job because of Rose.
Because I moved to Vine Valley to be with her.
I started in the warehouse, learning everything I could, and I moved into my own office, overseeing the entire operation.
Other than Rose, this was my entire life.
I loved my job.
My breath heaved in and out. “I think I’m having a panic attack.”
“Jesus Christ. I’m not firing you. Calm down.” Laurent held his hands up and took a deep breath, encouraging me to do the same as if we were in some Lamaze class for over hyped-up lunatics. “You good?”
“Fucking fantastic,” I muttered, pushing my fingers into my temples and massaging.
“I came to check on you, maybe talk, but we can always talk later.”
“No, it’s fine. Sorry. I’m just losing my mind.”
“Perfectly understandable. Your entire life got upended. I’d be more concerned if you weren’t falling off your rocker.”
“Excuse me, this is a top-of-the-line desk chair.”
“That I paid for.”
“Well yes. It was in the budget.”
“I’m kidding.”
“Oh.” While I was enjoying this very productive conversation with a man I thought of as the older brother I never had, I did have actual work to do. “What did you want to talk about?”
“Last night you said some things.”
“I don’t really remember last night, so I apologize if I insulted you or said something inappropriate.”
“You slurred something about not being an honorary Grasso anymore right before busting out a very enthusiastic rendition of Total Eclipse of the Heart.”
I groaned. “Ben informed me of my karaoke moment. Sorry I didn’t pick a cooler song.”
“Total Eclipse of the Heart is a great song.”
I flung my hand toward him. “Thank you!” I dropped into my chair, eyes scanning Laurent. “Are you here to tell me you have video? Are you going to blackmail me?”
“I do have video, but I’m not going to blackmail you. I wanted to tell you that no matter what happens between you and Rose, that doesn’t change anything. You’re still a part of this family. Always will be.”
“Even if she brings home some big, strong, rugged outdoorsman?”
Laurent barked out a laugh. “Do you honestly think that’s Rose’s type?”
“I never thought about it, actually, but it would make sense.”
“Rose was obsessed with Steve Urkel when she was six. As a teen, she had posters of Michael Cera and Jesse Eisenberg on her walls. Then she brought you home from college, and none of us batted an eye.”
“So I’m the natural evolution of her nerdy crushes.”
“Let’s put it this way. If Michael Cera and Pen Badgley had a baby, and that baby hit the gym and was blessed with a few extra inches of height, we’d get you.”
“So I’m Adam Brody.”
“Actually… that’s exactly who you look like.”
“I’ll take it. He’s a handsome son of a buck.”
“Son of a buck? Wow. You sure you’re not an eighty-year-old man stuck in a thirty-one-year-old’s body?”
I shrugged. “Anything’s possible.”
Laurent shook his head and pushed from his chair. “I have to get back to being the boss.”
I saluted him, and he headed for the door.
“Laurent.”
He stopped and turned back to me.
“I appreciate it.”
He tapped the doorframe and nodded. “By the way, I know you think my eyes are pretty, but I’m happily married.” With a smile, he walked away.
Another thing I must have said out loud… I slumped into my chair, the fear that had been deep inside of me easing. Now I just had to find a way to get Rose back before I lost her forever.
And it started with coffee.
***
The late summer heat was getting on my damn nerves. My shirt stuck to my chest, and it felt like a greenhouse in my pants. Fall could not get here fast enough. I pulled up to Espresso Yourself twenty minutes early to make sure our table would be available.
I grabbed the handle, but just as I yanked it open, Odette stepped out. “Oh Wyatt! Tell me it isn’t true.” Odette threw her arms around me and pulled me into her bosom. Helpless, my arms hung at my side, waiting for her to release me.
“Odette, you’re suffocating me,” I said after her grip tightened.
“Oh dear, I’m sorry.” She let go but didn’t step out of my way. If anything, she blocked the door with her entire body.
“It’s all right.”
“How are you holding up? You must be absolutely heartbroken. You two were perfect together. Perfect, I tell you.”
“Can you leave the poor man alone?” Albert’s gruff voice echoed from behind me.
He had parked his tractor behind my car.
He was in his usual overalls, Vietnam veteran hat, and American flag pin just above his chest. “He doesn’t have time for your nonsense.
” Albert slapped my back, nearly causing me to face-plant in Odette’s floral blouse.
I’d already been there, and I did not want to be there again.
I managed to stay upright. “Give the man some space.”
“Who invited you to this conversation?” Odette asked.
“I didn’t know I needed an invitation. I’m sure he didn’t get one. You just forced your nosy ass into his business.”
Odette gasped. “Language.”
“I didn’t even fucking curse.”
Odette gasped louder, a look of absolute disgust and disbelief on her overly made-up face. “You’re a… a…”
“Come on, you can do it,” Albert said. “I’m an asshole.”
Odette’s mouth snapped shut, and I inched toward the door. “This has been great, but I am meeting someone.”
“Rose!” Odette exclaimed. “Are you going to win her back? Oh, that’s so romantic. I knew you wouldn’t let her go without a fight.” She patted my cheek like I was five.
“I’m not here to win her back.”
“Why not?”
“Because—”
“Leave the kid alone,” Albert barked, and for the first time in my life, I wanted to hug the town grump.
“Mind your business.” Odette pointed a red nail at him.
“I am. You’re the one who has some soap opera planned out in your head and thinks it’s going to play out in front of you. News flash. Life isn’t a damn soap opera, and people’s lives are not your entertainment.”
I stared at Albert, seeing the old bastard in a different light. He was the man who purposely slowed his tractor down to crawl on the main roads to piss off the tourists. He never had a nice thing to say to anyone. Yet here he was, defending me.
Was I in the Twilight Zone? What the hell was happening?
“Don’t you get tired of being a grump?” Odette asked Albert. I made another inch toward the door.
“No, it keeps me young. That and yelling at tourists who try to pet my chickens.”
“I hope one bites you.”
“Wouldn’t be the first time.” He shrugged, then turned his attention to me. “You going to stand there and melt into the sidewalk or get inside before she plans your wedding to someone else?”
My body froze.
Odette’s purse flew up and smacked Albert in the chest.
“What the hell was that for?” Albert demanded.
Odette’s gaze met mine, an understanding filling her eyes. She knew. She knew exactly why Rose and I broke up. How, I had no idea. But she knew. She stepped aside, letting me through.
I gave her a small nod of gratitude, and as I walked by, she grabbed my arm and gave it a squeeze. “A love like the two of you have doesn’t just disappear.”
Albert scoffed behind us. “For crying out loud! Let the man get his damn coffee before you quote Hallmark movies.”
“Language!” Odette exclaimed.
But I turned, a big smirk on my face. “What do you know about Hallmark movies, Albert?”
“Oh, for Pete's sake.” Albert swatted his hand at me. “Last time I help you out.”
With a laugh, I headed into Espresso Yourself. It was quiet this early. The low hum of the espresso machine, the soft clink of mugs, and the strong scent of roasted beans filled the air. I turned, surprised to see Albert right behind me.
“Since when do you come here?” I asked. Albert was a Folgers at home kind of guy.
“Can a man not get a damn cold brew without being ambushed?”
I held my hands up. “Sorry. After you.” I motioned toward the register. Albert didn’t hesitate. Michael, one of the owners waved to me before spinning around and grabbing another cup.
Rose’s and my usual spot was open, so I made my way over, sliding onto the chair with a deep sigh. It was seven am, and I was already exhausted. I should have offered to meet Rose at our place. Her place. Whoever’s place it was. Hell, my name was still on the mortgage, so for now it was still ours.
But I didn’t want to pressure her. I figured the public was safe, neutral ground.
No arguing, no crying, no spontaneous declarations of love.
Not that I was planning one. I had zero plans, but sometimes my mouth had a mind of its own.
This morning, we were just two people getting coffee, celebrating a huge career win. Totally normal. Totally fine.
I reached for the napkin dispenser, taking a napkin and attempting to fold it into a football. Albert dropped into the chair across from me.
“Your girl's not here yet?”