Chapter Nine
Lila
The showcase was everything I'd dreamed it would be—and everything I'd feared.
Sparkling Oak's main tasting room had been transformed into an elegant venue, with candlelit tables scattered throughout the space and servers in crisp white shirts moving seamlessly between the groups of potential clients.
The late afternoon sun slanted through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting everything in a warm, golden glow that made the wine glasses sparkle like jewels.
I stood at the edge of the room, smoothing my black cocktail dress for the hundredth time and trying to calm my racing heart. This was it—my moment to prove that I belonged here, that all the years of study and planning and careful control had been worth something.
"You ready for this?" Griffin's voice behind me was low and professional, but I caught the undercurrent of warmth that he couldn't quite hide.
I turned to face him, my breath catching slightly at the sight of him in a tailored charcoal suit. He looked every inch the successful businessman, but I could see the firefighter underneath—the steady confidence, the way he carried himself like someone who was used to handling crises.
"As ready as I'll ever be," I replied, keeping my voice equally professional despite the way my pulse kicked up at his proximity.
We'd managed to maintain our careful distance all day during the setup, speaking only when necessary, keeping everything strictly business. But now, standing here together as the room filled with wine buyers and distributors, the air between us crackled with unspoken tension.
"Remember," I said quietly, straightening his tie in what I told myself was a purely professional gesture, "we're representing a partnership between Sparkling Oak and Rhodes Select. This is business. Nothing more."
His eyes darkened as my fingers brushed against his chest. "Nothing more," he agreed, but the way he said it suggested he thought we were both lying to ourselves.
Madeline Foster appeared at my elbow, resplendent in a silk navy dress that probably cost more than my old Honda.
"Lila, Griffin—excellent timing. Our VIP buyers from the San Francisco market just arrived, and I'd like you to start with them.
They're considering a significant increase in their orders. "
My stomach fluttered with nerves, but I nodded confidently. "Of course. We're ready."
As we moved through the room toward the VIP section, Griffin fell into step beside me. "Just remember what you told me yesterday," he murmured. "You're not giving them a chemistry lesson. You're telling them a story."
The reminder settled something in my chest. He was right—I knew these wines inside and out. I knew their stories, their personalities, the passion that went into every bottle. All I had to do was share that knowledge.
"Ladies and gentlemen," I began as we approached the group of well-dressed buyers, "welcome to Sparkling Oak Winery. I'm Lila King, and this is Griffin Rhodes from Rhodes Select Imports. We're here to take you on a journey through some of California's most exceptional wines."
What followed was perhaps the most natural hour of my professional life.
Griffin and I moved through the presentation like we'd been working together for years, our different styles complementing each other perfectly.
Where I provided the technical expertise and passion for the wines themselves, he offered insights into market trends and distribution strategies.
When I got too detailed, he'd jump in with a relatable analogy.
When he focused too heavily on business, I'd bring the conversation back to the artistry behind each vintage.
"The 2019 Pinot Noir is like that perfect autumn day," I said, swirling the wine in my glass. "It starts crisp and bright, then warms you from the inside out with layers of cherry and spice that seem to go on forever."
"And from a distribution standpoint," Griffin added seamlessly, "we've seen a thirty percent increase in demand for this particular vintage over the past six months. The market is clearly responding to the quality Lila's describing."
The buyers were hanging on every word, asking thoughtful questions and scribbling notes. I could see genuine interest in their eyes, the kind of engagement that led to orders and long-term partnerships.
"Tell us about the Cabernet," one of the buyers requested. "We've heard exceptional things about your 2021 vintage."
This was my moment—the wine I'd been practicing with yesterday, the one that represented everything Sparkling Oak stood for. I glanced at Griffin, who gave me an almost imperceptible nod of encouragement.
"The 2021 Cabernet," I began, letting my voice carry the passion I felt, "represents a perfect storm of ideal conditions. That year, we had just the right amount of rain in the spring, followed by a long, warm growing season that allowed the grapes to develop incredible complexity."
I moved closer to the group, drawing them into the story.
"But what makes this wine truly special isn't just the weather—it's the winemaker's philosophy.
Every decision, from when to harvest to how long to age in oak, was made with one goal in mind: creating a wine that tells the story of this place, this moment in time. "
"The first sip hits you with bold, dark fruit flavors—blackberry, cassis, a hint of dark chocolate.
But then," I paused, taking a sip myself and letting the wine linger on my palate, "it settles into something deeper.
Something that speaks to tradition and craftsmanship and the kind of patience that only comes from truly understanding your craft. "
"It's a wine that demands your attention," Griffin added, his voice carrying a rough edge that made several of the female buyers lean in closer. "But rewards you for giving it. Much like the best things in life."
His eyes met mine as he spoke, and for a moment, the professional facade slipped. The heat in his gaze reminded me of everything we'd shared, everything I was trying so hard to keep locked away.
"The finish," I continued, my voice slightly breathless, "is long and complex, with hints of vanilla and spice from the oak aging. It's the kind of wine that lingers, that makes you want to savor every moment."
"Well," said the lead buyer, a distinguished woman in her fifties, "if that description doesn't sell itself, I don't know what will. We'd like to discuss a significant order for the fall season."
The rest of the showcase flew by in a blur of successful conversations and promising leads. Griffin and I worked the room together, our professional chemistry drawing buyers like moths to a flame. By the time the last guest had left, Madeline was practically glowing with satisfaction.
"Exceptional work, both of you," she said, shaking our hands with genuine enthusiasm. "I've never seen buyers respond quite like that. The partnership between Sparkling Oak and Rhodes Select is going to be very profitable indeed."
As Madeline walked away to handle the final details with the catering staff, Griffin and I found ourselves alone on the now-empty terrace overlooking the vineyard. The sun was setting, painting the sky in shades of pink and gold that rivaled the wines we'd been serving.
"We did good," Griffin said quietly, loosening his tie.
"We did," I agreed, kicking off my heels and letting my toes sink into the cool stone of the terrace. "I can't believe how natural that felt."
"I can." He moved to stand beside me at the railing, close enough that I could feel the heat radiating from his body. "You were incredible up there, Lila. Watching you work... you're a force of nature when you let yourself shine."
The compliment sent warmth flooding through me, but it also brought back all the complications I'd been trying to avoid. "Griffin..."
"I know what you're going to say," he interrupted, turning to face me fully. "That this was just professional. That what happened yesterday doesn't change anything. But I watched you today, and I saw something you might have missed."
"What's that?"
"You were happy." His voice was soft, but the words hit me with unexpected force. "Really, truly happy. Not just successful or accomplished—happy. When's the last time you felt like that?"
I opened my mouth to argue, but the words wouldn't come.
Because he was right. Today had felt different—not just because the presentation had gone well, but because of how it had felt to work alongside him.
The easy banter, the way we'd anticipated each other's moves, the shared looks of triumph when a buyer showed interest.
"It doesn't matter," I said finally, but my voice lacked conviction.
"Doesn't it?" He stepped closer, his hand coming up to cup my cheek. "Lila, I've been thinking about what you said yesterday. About this being just physical, about us going back to our separate lives. And I think you're wrong."
"Griffin, please don't—"
"I'm not asking you to give up your career or your independence," he continued, his thumb tracing the line of my cheekbone. "I'm asking you to consider that maybe you don't have to choose between having a life and having love."
The word hung between us like a challenge. Love. He hadn't said it directly, but it was there in his voice, in the way he looked at me.
My phone buzzed, and I glanced down to see Bowie's name on the screen. "I should take this," I said, grateful for the interruption.
"Hey, sis," Bowie's familiar voice filled the quiet evening air. "How'd the big presentation go?"
"It went really well," I said, moving a few steps away from Griffin. "Better than I could have hoped, actually."
"That's my girl. I knew you'd kill it." There was a pause, then his voice turned more serious. "You sound different, though. Everything okay?"
Trust my brother to pick up on things I wasn't even ready to acknowledge myself. "I'm fine. Just tired."
"Lila." His tone was the same one he'd used when we were kids and he could tell I was hiding something. "What's really going on?"
I glanced back at Griffin, who was leaning against the railing, giving me space but clearly listening. "It's complicated."
"The firefighter guy?"
"How did you—" I started, then shook my head. "Never mind. I don't want to know."
"You like him."
It wasn't a question, and I found myself nodding even though he couldn't see me. "Yeah. I do. But it's—"
"Complicated. You said that already." I could hear the smile in his voice. "You know what I think?"
"That I should focus on my career and not get distracted by a man?"
Bowie laughed. "Actually, I think you should stop trying to control every aspect of your life and let yourself be happy for once."
The words hit me like a physical blow. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"It means," he said gently, "that you've been so focused on building the perfect life that you've forgotten to actually live it. I'm proud of what you've accomplished, Lila. But I want you to be happy too, like I am with Angie. And if this guy makes you happy..."
"It's not that simple."
"Why not? Because it might be messy? Sis, life is messy. When something good presents itself, grab onto it with everything you’ve got."
I closed my eyes, feeling the careful walls I'd built around my heart starting to crack. "I'm scared," I whispered.
"I know you are. But you're also the strongest person I know. You survived foster care, you put yourself through school, you built a career from nothing. You think you can't handle falling in love?"
Falling in love. There it was again, the thing I'd been running from since the moment Griffin's truck had appeared on that desert highway.
"I have to go," I said suddenly.
"Lila—"
"Thank you," I interrupted. "For everything. For believing in me, for pushing me to take risks. I love you."
"I love you too, sis. Now go get your man."
I ended the call and turned to find Griffin watching me with careful eyes. "Everything okay?"
"My brother thinks I'm an idiot," I said with a shaky laugh.
"Smart man."
"Griffin..." I took a step toward him, then another, until I was close enough to see the flecks of gold in his brown eyes. "I need to tell you something."
"I'm listening."
"I lied yesterday. When I said this was just physical, that it didn't mean anything." I reached up to cup his face in my hands, feeling the rough stubble against my palms. "It means everything. You mean everything."
His breath hitched, hope flaring in his expression. "Lila..."
"I'm terrified," I continued, the words tumbling out now that I'd started. "Terrified of losing control, of getting hurt, of messing this up. But I'm more terrified of losing you."
"You're not going to lose me," he said fiercely, his hands coming up to cover mine. "I'm not going anywhere."
"How can you be sure?"
"Because I'm falling for you," he said simply. "Hard. And I don't know about you, but when I commit to something, I see it through."
The words broke something open inside me, something that had been locked away for so long I'd forgotten it existed. "I’m falling for you too Griffin," I whispered. “In fact, I think I already have. As in head-over-heels.”
He kissed me then, soft and sweet and full of promise. When we broke apart, we were both smiling.
"So what happens now?" I asked.
"Now we figure it out together," he said. "I'm thinking I might take Elise up on her offer to split my time between here and Foxfire Valley—for now. Oakcrest Bay could use a good search and rescue pilot."
"And I could use a good distribution partner," I added with a grin.
"Just partners?"
I kissed him again, longer this time, pouring all the emotions that filled in my heart into the contact. "Partners in everything," I said against his lips. "If you'll have me."
"Always," he murmured. "Always."
As the sun set over the vineyard and the first stars appeared in the darkening sky, I realized that sometimes the best things in life were the ones you never planned for. Sometimes, you had to let go of control to find what you were really looking for.
And sometimes, love found you on a desert highway when your perfectly planned life fell apart.
I wouldn't change a single moment of it.