12. Isabella
Withmy fingers smudged with hints of chalk from sketching out seating arrangements and the earthy smell of fresh flowers enveloping me, I carefully adjusted the placement of the last wineglass on the port-tasting table. The evening was finally upon us, and the fluttering in my stomach was unmistakable. I was eager, anxious, and everything in between for two significant reasons.
Thisevent marked my first foray into planning and hosting a high-profile occasion in what felt like forever. Not only did I desperately want it to unfold seamlessly for the club’s sake, but I also had a personal stake in its success for Max. I yearned for it to draw in more interest toward the club’s wine offerings, showcasing the depth and passion he brought to the table.
Morethan that, I had set myself a goal: if tonight resulted in at least ten new member sign-ups, it would solidify my place in taking the reins of event organization at the club. Such an outcome would not only be a testament to the evening’s success but also a thrilling leap forward in my career, one that felt both daunting and incredibly exhilarating.
Then, there was Max. Those deep, thoughtful looks caught me off guard every time he glanced my way and filled me with a warmth I wasn’t expecting to feel in such a professional setting. It wasn’t just his looks that made my stomach flutter. It was the fleeting touches, the way his fingers would occasionally brush against my lower back as he passed by, igniting a cascade of tingles that raced along my nerves. These small, innocuous interactions stirred a tumult of emotions within me, blending anticipation with a kind of nervous excitement I couldn’t quite pin down.
Everycasual touch and shared glance seemed to blur the lines between professional collaboration and something much more personal—something I wasn’t sure I was ready to explore, yet found myself drawn to nonetheless. It was as if, amidst the stress and bustle of event preparations, we were dancing around the edges of a deeper connection, leaving me to wonder about the possibilities that lay beyond the professional fa?ade we maintained.
Wedefinitely hadn’t ignored that we’d slept together, but we hadn’t exactly had enough time to figure out the details of it either. So, for now, it was our little secret, flashbacks of it shared through heated glances from across the room as we worked.
Ithad turned a switch on in Max, though, one that I was obsessed with figuring out more. Ever since our time in the cellar, Max had become hell-bent on making sure I was taking care of myself. He’d refill my water during shifts, silently setting a fresh glass on the bar top for me. He brought my snacks and ordered food while I worked away on the third floor setting up for the event. By the time the day of the event came, I barely had time to stop to pee, so I was extra grateful for his odd attention.
AsI chugged a fresh glass of water I watched as Natalia meticulously draped the last of the table linens, her practiced eye ensuring perfection. Having my best friend Natalia by my side was a godsend. She had been just as busy the last two weeks so having her here today felt extra special.
Despitetaking on her family’s business, Nat was happy to help out, and it put a smile on my face. Years of attending fancy parties had sharpened Nat’s designer eye for detail, which could be seen in her work that day. We worked in a fluid tandem, utilizing the muscle memory we’d built from decades of friendship.
Everyinch of the room was a masterpiece—a verdant secret garden, hidden away from the bustling city outside. Velvety moss, cascading purple orchids, and twinkling string lights illuminated each tasting zone with an enchanted glow.
ThePinotNoir’s pink peonies mingled with ivy, while Champagne’s cream roses invited each guest to explore further. A dash of cinnamon sticks surrounded by vibrant orange ranunculus beckoned for the Syrah lovers. An elegant setting of deep red roses paired with eucalyptus marked the CabernetSauvignon corner—fit for royalty.
Floorlanterns lit a path through this paradise of taste, and I hoped our guests would be swept up in the flavor and beauty of it all. I was proud of what I’d helped create. It had scratched an itch and lit a fire in me that I didn’t know I’d had.
“Isabella,” Max’s voice interrupted my thoughts. I turned, seeing him standing at the entrance of the atrium. His normally confident demeanor was replaced by nervousness, his fingers playing with the cuffs of his tailored suit. He stepped closer, and his eyes widened in awe as they surveyed the transformed space. “This is . . . breathtaking.”
“Thank you,” I said softly, feeling my heart swell with pride. “Let me walk you through it so you know the flow.”
Guidinghim, I began at the port station, explaining the choice of orchids and moss, how it played with the richness of the wine, and the sweet depth of the accompanying chocolates. We moved seamlessly from one zone to the next, with me detailing the thought behind every element.
“You really outdid yourself, Isabella. The layers, the attention to detail,” Max mused, pausing at the Champagne table to admire the cream roses. “Every station perfectly complements the wine it hosts.”
Ilaughed lightly, brushing a stray curl behind my ear. “That was the idea. And you better be ready to wow everyone with your impeccable wine knowledge.”
Maxsmirked, his playful side returning. “Challenge accepted. ThoughI think my sommelier skills have met their match with your event planning.”
Oureyes locked for a moment, the world around them blurring. My heart raced, but I broke the gaze, my cheeks coloring. “Well, you better be ready. We’re a team tonight.”
Maxstepped closer, a teasing glint in his eyes. “Always, when I’m with you.” He brushed a thumb over my cheek, sending shivers down my spine. “Thank you, Isabella. This means more than you can imagine.”
“Well, you know,” I replied, trying to keep my voice steady, “always here to save the day.”
Mychuckles echoed in the atrium as guests filtered in, marking the beginning of a magical night. I took a deep breath, smoothed the fabric of my black dress, and watched as the event began.
Asthe night progressed, Max slipped seamlessly into his role, guiding guests through the intricacies of each wine. I observed from a distance, admiring the way he swirled the wine in its glass, allowing it to breathe, before explaining its distinct aroma and taste profile.
Max’senthusiasm for wine transformed the tasting into an intimate gathering of old friends. His knowledge about the vineyards, the soil, and the vintage years made the pairings come alive, enhancing the experience with each sip. Guests were visibly moved, murmuring their approval, particularly enamored with the Syrah and caramel chocolate pairing.
Asthe room buzzed with energy, the chemistry between Max and me became a silent conversation. His casual touches and proud glances sent waves of excitement through me, which Natalia noticed and couldn’t help but tease, “There’s more than wine and chocolate chemistry here, Iz.”
Tryingto maintain focus on the event proved challenging as the night unfurled into a blend of animated discussions and laughter. Max’s skillful presentations, like describing the Champagne’s interaction with white chocolate truffles, captivated everyone. His ability to engage and educate created a magical atmosphere, underscored by the soft glow of string lights and the melody of clinking glasses.
Theevent showcased our combined efforts and positioned Max as a sought-after sommelier for private tastings. Watching him, his passion so evident, filled me with a deep sense of pride and connection to the work we were doing together.
Natalia’swords, acknowledging the unique vibe of the place, echoed my sentiments. It was indeed a night to remember, a testament to the harmony between meticulous planning and genuine passion.
“There’s so much potential here,” Nat said, coming up to stand next to me. “You know, with the new departments I’ll be overseeing, I’ve been thinking about the concept of self-love and indulgence. What if we introduced an aspect of this kind of luxury, this kind of exploration into the family business? There’s nothing quite like self-care, right?”
Iraised an eyebrow, intrigued. “Are you suggesting what I think you’re suggesting?”
Natsmirked. “A little wine, a little relaxation, and perhaps . . . a touch of the risqué? It could be an entirely new way of approaching wellness.”
Ichuckled. “You always did have an adventurous spirit. ButI love the idea. A unique blend of sophistication, relaxation, and exploration. It’s bold.”
“I’d want to work with you, though. To make it happen.” Natalia turned to face me, her eyes serious.
“Nat, I’m just a cocktail waitress, so you’re going to need to talk to Dom and Max about that move.” I took a small sip of wine, the warm red liquid coating my tongue.
“You and I both know that’s not true. I mean, come on, look at what you did with this whole event. You always knew how to take a theme and run with it.” Nat smiled.
“I’d have to talk to the guys. AndI don’t know the first thing about finding a place and all the logistics about opening a club like this and?—”
“Leavethose details to me.” Nat put a hand on my shoulder. “Just tell me you’ll help with the overall vibe and theme of the place. And of course, getting him,” she cocked her head over to Max, “to come on board. Something tells me we’d get a lot of new clientele just from having the promise of Max and wine.”
Ichuckled. “This is crazy, Nat, you know that, right?”
“And what about it?” Nat tilted her wineglass up, draining it, before making her rounds around the room.
Ididn’t want to encroach on my brother’s entire business model, but the concept of helping Nat create something like this was exciting. AndI couldn’t help but think it’d be a lot easier to try out the spicy side of the club if my brother wasn’t roaming the halls.
Itwas impossible to not daydream about the activities going on upstairs as Max and I worked the lounge downstairs. But this was my brother’s space and the last thing I wanted to do was cross some unspoken boundary. But if Nat led her own space . . . now that would definitely let down some walls for me.
Notthat I had anyone to take upstairs. But that was kind of the point, right? Sexual exploration for the sake of exploration is what the club promised.
“What are you daydreaming about over here?” Max’s voice cut through my thoughts and my cheeks warmed instantly. I hadn’t been thinking about spending time behind one of those oxblood doors with a stranger just now. I’d been thinking about what that would be like with Max.
“Uh, nothing, just, uh, about to get started cleaning up,” I stammered out my response, unable to make eye contact with him. Guests were filing out now, heading downstairs.
Maxchuckled at my nervousness. “Well, I just wanted to say thank you. Truly. For everything tonight. And everything you did to prepare for it.”
Iregained my composure enough to say, “Of course. You’re welcome. It was a lot of fun.”
“You know, if you ever get tired of working with me in the lounge, you should definitely go into event planning,” Max said. “You really crushed it tonight, Isabella.”
Ichuckled. “You know there’s been a lot of career opportunities talked about tonight. I guess we’ll just have to see.”
Icleared my head while I started cleaning up the space, tossing wine bottles in the recycling bin and shaking off tablecloths. I should most definitely not be daydreaming about my boss-slash-younger brother’s friend.
Evenif the opportunity with Nat turned into something real, there was no promise that Max would want to work there. I couldn’t let myself get distracted by how easy it felt to be around him. Or how his stupid smile made a tiny little flutter in my ribs.