7. QUINN
7
QUINN
I jump every time my phone rings. It has become an automatic reaction these last few days, and I try to keep my ringer silent just so I won’t have to go through that feeling over and over.
“It’s too much, Laurie.” I clutch my phone in my hand. “I don’t know what to do.”
“Have you tried blocking his number? That would stop him, right?”
I shake my head. “He just finds new numbers to call me from.”
Ever since I went live at the wine-making class, Liam has been calling me every night without fail. The conversations are always the same, peppered with threats that he’ll somehow make me pay for what I’ve done to betray him.
“Has he gone mad?” Laurie says, frustrated. “Where was this dedication when you needed it? It’s like all men are the same, they don’t know what they have got until its gone.”
“Well, I’d like to stay gone. I’m constantly on edge that he’s doing to do something stupid and can’t even enjoy my time here because of it.”
“Oh, honey. He can’t do anything except try and scare you with empty threats. You shouldn’t let him get to you like that.”
“I wish it were that easy.” I sigh, tucking a strand of my hair behind my ears. “I’m just too overwhelmed. Should I just fly back, and deal with him in person?”
“Absolutely not,” Laurie says. “You are going to do no such thing. You still have like, two weeks left there. Just turn off your phone and do something that makes you feel better.”
My mind trails over to Enzo. He’d been the only one to notice that I wasn’t being quite myself. Something as simple as him asking how I was doing did wonders to me.
“I don’t think I can do the things that make me feel better either.” I sigh.
“What? You’re being cryptic again,” Laurie complains.
“Listen, I should take a shower to get my mind off things. I’ll call you back later if he bothers me again, okay?”
“Okay,” her tone softens, “Just take care of yourself, alright? I worry about you.”
I end the call and make my way over to the bathroom. The hot steam fills up the room immediately, and the hot water running down my back is exactly what I need to calm myself down.
Throwing my head back, I let myself enjoy the sensation for a moment.
My mind drifts over to Enzo again and our kiss. There hasn’t been a single day that I haven’t thought about that moment ever since it happened.
I knew passion like that would make me forget about Liam and his stupid drama. But could there ever be another kiss? Or was it just a silly little dream and an unrequited infatuation?
I’m still bothered by thoughts of him when I step out of the shower, quickly draping myself into a plush towel as beads of water cascade down my body.
A sharp knock sounds from the door.
“Who is it?”
My heart races.
Surely, Liam’s too cheap to fly down all the way to Italy. Let alone find my exact location and room number—
A letter slides inside from the small space underneath the door.
I jump at it, curiosity overcoming me. It’s a nice envelope, and my heart races at the Valentina Vineyard emblem embossed on top of it.
Tearing it open, I quickly begin reading.
It’s an invitation from Enzo. For a moment, I think he must have sent it to everyone as part of some activity.
But it’s specifically addressed to me and signed personally.
I sink down against the floor, feeling a mixture of excitement and nervousness.
What’s this about?
“It’s probably just business,” I tell myself.
A man like him wouldn’t want much to do with me. He’s been avoiding me since our kiss.
I know Enzo is serious about his company. At most, this is just his way of arranging a meeting to discuss a possible sponsorship in the future.
Right?
I turn the card around to look at the back, and there are instructions. Apparently, there’s a courier waiting outside my door for me to send back a reply.
ASAP.
My mind is all over the place.
A part of me wants to say yes, but I know that would be risky. Putting myself in a situation alone with Enzo has never worked out before. I’d be fighting myself to jump his bones before he even uttered a word.
Yet, it feels foolish to say no. My emotions shouldn’t make me lose sight of my career, which is still the most important thing in my life.
Perhaps this meeting could yield a lucrative business opportunity. I’d be insane to pass that up.
Knowing that I can’t possibly make this decision alone, I call Laurie.
“Is he bothering you again?” Her tone is alarmed when she picks up.
“No, this has nothing to do with Liam,” I reply. “Laurie, there’s been something I’ve been keeping from you…”
I can almost imagine her frowning at me. “What did you do?”
“Well…” I sigh, “Remember when you said I should go out and see what’s out there on this trip? I kind of already did.”
“Quinn!” Laurie exclaims, charged up, “Wow, you need to explain yourself.”
I bite down on my lip, tracing the fingers on my free hand against the surface of the letter. “I sort of accidentally kissed a man—well, the guy who owns this entire winery.”
“Naughty girl.” Laurie laughs. “So, what’s the problem? Is he claiming to be in love with you now?”
“Quite the opposite. It’s been awkward between us ever since, but I cannot get him out of my head.”
“Sounds like you have unfinished business with him. Maybe you should do more than just kiss the next time you see him.”
My face heats up at the implication of her words, and I realize how badly I want that to happen.
“Well, he’s asked to see me now. But I don’t think it’s for anything other than business. I mean, he literally sent up a letter to my room as an invite.”
“Wow, he sounds like a real romantic. Tell me this—did you initiate the kiss or did he?”
“He did.”
“Then I don’t really think he wants you to meet him for just business. I mean, isn’t it late there right now? Hardly the time to discuss business.”
“Laurie, even if I believe you for a moment, it’s just unlikely that anything is going to come out of this.”
It’s nice to share my worry with someone, and I feel lighter all of a sudden.
“Don’t you think you’re speaking a little too soon?”
“Trust me.” I shake my head. “He’s a lot older than I am…”
“An older guy?” Laurie gasps, laughing loudly. “Oh my god, Quinn. You’re really letting loose and pushing past your comfort zone. I’m proud of you.”
I roll my eyes. Trust my best friend to encourage any sort of sordid behavior.
“Be realistic, Laurie.”
“Quinn, you’ve spent most of your life being ‘realistic’ when it comes to relationships. You never got a chance to have some fun since that asshole Liam tied you down so young. Don’t you think this is your shot to do that, finally?”
I consider her words, tempted to respond to the invitation with a yes.
“You know I’m right. Aren’t I?”
“You’re annoying.”
But she’s also right.
“Mwah, honey. You always know I give you the best advice…”
But now a different kind of worry consumes me. My nails dig into my palm, and I hold the phone closer to my face.
“There’s one other thing…”
“What? Another guy?” she teases.
“Shut up,” I say. “It’s that… well, it’s been a while since… you know…”
“Since you had sex?”
My face burns. “Yes.”
“So? It’s not like you’ve forgotten how it works. What’s the worry?”
“You’d understand my worry much better if you knew what he looks like. He’s always getting hit on by the girls here. It’s almost comical to watch. I feel like… he’s out of my league almost.”
Laurie snorts out a laugh. “He kissed you . Pretty sure he wouldn’t do that if he wasn’t at least a little interested.”
“You’re right, but he probably has a ton more experience than I do. If something were to ever happen, how I do know I don’t end up being a total disappointment?”
Laurie hums. “I guess there’s only one way to find out—get wasted and climb under the sheets, just how god intended.”
I roll my eyes, realizing that Laurie is having way too much fun with this, and her advice is getting redundant.
“Thanks, Laur. I’ll make sure to write that down.”
“Trust me, Quinn. You’re overthinking things way too much—you’re in the prime of your youth. These are your best years, go ahead and enjoy them while you can.”
As I hang up the phone, I’m mulling over what my best friend has said to me. I still have not decided on a reply, and it’s been about half an hour since I got the invitation.
Taking a leap of faith, I decide to go with my gut and write down my answer.
When I open the door to take the letter to the lobby and ask someone to deliver it, I come face-to-face with who I assume is the courier.
“Ready to answer, madam?” He smiles at me politely.
“You were waiting all this time?” I ask, surprised.
“I had orders to not return until I received an answer.”
“I’m sorry I kept you waiting so long. I had no idea.” I hand the letter over to him.
When he leaves and I close the door, I can’t help but think how asking the courier to wait is a small gesture, but I cannot help but find the dedication to receive a response sexy.
I once again sink down to the floor.
I made my decision. I just hope that it’ the right one.