Chapter 3
CRU
“You need to stop acting like the best friend, so Daphne can see you as the leading lady—err, man.” While the reference Brix had made to be the leading lady was weird as fuck, the rest of what he said resonated.
Stop acting like the best friend. But how?
Especially since she’d just said she didn’t want to do anything to ruin our friendship.
Did she mean by working for Los Cab? To me, it was the perfect solution. Or was it staying in Brix’s house? Which I guess wouldn’t be his; it would be mine. I hadn’t addressed either subject other than with a quick mention. Maybe I should.
“So, about the job, I’ll be taking over the first label and am looking for someone to oversee the second.
Since sales of the primary varietals are what bring in the most income, I’ve used the secondary to experiment with different blends and fermentation processes.
What you tasted earlier was an example of what I consider a success. ”
“As you should.”
I couldn’t look over at her. The friend comment still stung.
“You’d have a lot of freedom to experiment.”
“Cru, you don’t have to do this.”
I sighed and gazed out the side window at the curves of the hillside illuminated by the lights from the sparse houses. The drive from Cambria to Paso Robles was one of my favorites—day or night.
“Actually, I do. I can’t make both.”
“I’m sure there are other—”
“Daphne, you’re looking for a job; I’m looking for a winemaker. If you aren’t interested in working for Los Cab, or if it’s working with me that is giving you pause, just fucking say so.” My tone was harsher than I’d intended, but her hesitation was pissing me off. I saw it as the perfect solution.
“I would appreciate the opportunity very much.”
Her voice was soft, which made me feel worse about the way I’d snapped at her. “I’m sorry.”
“Apology accepted. You mentioned you wanted me to see the house?”
“You know how crazy it can get, depending on the time of year. Living on the ranch makes it easier, even if it isn’t full time. Brix’s place is huge. From what I remember, there are five bedrooms. Maybe six. If you stayed there, you wouldn’t even have to see me if you didn’t want to.”
I glanced over at her, but her arms were folded and she wasn’t looking in my direction.
“Or not,” I muttered.
She sighed. “Why even say that? Is there some problem I’m unaware of? You asked me to just fucking say it if I didn’t want to work with you. Why are you making these offers if you don’t want to?”
She was right. I sounded like I was hoping she’d turn me down. Meanwhile, it was my fear—my insecurity—giving her an easy out. “Look, can we start over?”
“Sure.”
I cleared my throat. “Daphne, there’s a job opening at Los Cab for a second-label winemaker.”
“I’m interested.”
“It comes with an optional place on the ranch to stay rent free.”
“Rent free?”
I looked over at her and smiled. “It’s the friends-and-family discount.”
“I’m interested in that as well.”
“Great. It’s settled. Now, we just need to get Brix and Addy to move out.”
Daph chuckled, and I did too.
I breathed a sigh of relief that things were back to normal between us, but the ache in my chest remained. Normal was the last thing I wanted. Had I just confirmed friendship was the only thing between us?
“Come on in,” said Brix, opening the front door and motioning us inside. “Addy’s got dinner just about ready.”
“Aren’t you helping?” I asked.
“I was until she kicked me out of the kitchen. Apparently, having my arms around her is some kind of distraction.” Brix looked over at Daphne. “Hey, I’m sorry for what I said this afternoon.”
She nodded. “Apology accepted.”
“Appreciated. Can I pour you a glass of wine?”
“Please.” Daphne pointed to the kitchen. “Okay if I say hi to Addy?”
Brix nodded. “She’d love it.”
When my brother walked away, I followed.
“I’m interested in the house, after all. As soon as you’re ready.”
Brix raised a brow but smiled. “I’m glad you’ve had a change of heart. Timing is the reason we asked you to come over. We’re leaving sooner than expected.”
“When?” I asked.
“Tomorrow.”
I raised a brow, too.
“We decided last night. Addison thinks we’ll make better progress on the house if we’re there, and I agree. As far as the vines are concerned, you don’t need me for pruning, which is all we do at this time of the year. Actually, there isn’t anything you need me for between now and harvest.”
“Understood.”
“So, about adding another winemaker, I was thinking you could—”
“It’s already handled.”
Brix handed me two glasses of wine. “Yeah?”
“Daphne will be taking over the second label.”
He motioned with his head, and I followed him to where she stood waiting, looking out a window at the night sky.
“I hear congratulations are in order.” Brix raised his glass at the same time I handed one to her. “Welcome to the Los Cab team.”
“Thank you. I’m excited to have the opportunity,” she said, taking a sip when Brix did.
Since I knew which wine he’d poured, I waited for her reaction. I was rewarded when she looked at me with wide eyes.
“Another of yours?” she asked.
“Yes and no,” Brix answered before I could. “You can explain. I haven’t seen my wife in almost five minutes, and you know how I get.” He winked at Daphne before going into the kitchen.
“What did he mean?” she asked.
“The blend is one of my father’s. We haven’t released it since not long after he died. I’m bringing it back.”
“It’s first label, yes?”
“It is. It will be my first official release since taking over as winemaker.”
“It’s a spectacular offering.”
“Thanks.” I couldn’t help but smile. Daph had no idea what her opinion meant to me, both personally and professionally. “Oh and, by the way, Brix and Addy are leaving for Mexico tomorrow.”
Daphne’s eyes widened. “That soon? Or wait, on holiday?”
I shook my head. “For good. I mean, I’m sure they’ll visit. They’re just moving out of the house.” I held up one finger. “Be right back.” I stuck my head in the kitchen. “Hey, Addy.”
She looked over her shoulder. “Hi, Cru. Dinner will be another twenty minutes or so.”
“Does that mean I have time to give Daph a quick tour?”
“Of course,” said Brix. “You know the way.”
“We have a few minutes before dinner, so I’ll show you around,” I said, leading Daphne to the staircase.
“There are two bedrooms on the main floor and three more on the second level. I’m not sure, but I think there’s one more on the third.
” When we reached the landing, I motioned to the right, where the sleeping areas I mentioned were located. “Each has its own bathroom.”
Daphne stuck her head in. “Very nice.”
We walked through the den to the opposite side. “This is a second master,” I said, going through the doorway. “You could have your pick of this or the one downstairs. They’re the same design. Actually, one is right above the other.”
She walked over to a door leading outside. “What’s this?” she asked.
I joined her and opened it.
Daphne gasped. “Wow, a sleeping porch. This is brilliant.”
“Wanna check out the third level?” I asked.
“Of course.”
When we did, I wished we hadn’t. It was set up almost like an apartment, albeit without a dedicated entrance. There was a third master bedroom, with a full bath, a living room, and a small kitchen.
Daphne surveyed the space but didn’t appear interested, thankfully.
“Shall we?” I asked, motioning to the stairs.
“This is interesting,” she said, resting her hands on the half wall framing the open area that went from the main floor to the roof, where there was a skylight in the same shape.
“The house was constructed using Vastu design principles where the center is open.”
“I noticed it on the first floor and wondered,” she commented.
“I don’t know that much about it. All the buildings on Uncle Tryst’s ranch were built the same way.”
“Very cool.”
“Dinner’s ready,” Brix shouted up to us.
“On our way,” I responded. “So, what do you think?” I asked as we made our way downstairs.
“It’s an amazing house.”
“Do you think you’d want to live in it?”
Daphne was in front of me, so I couldn’t see her face or her reaction. When we reached the second-floor landing, she stopped. “Are you sure about this?”
My eyes scrunched. “Why wouldn’t I be?”
“I might cramp your style. You know, if you wanted to have someone over.”
I had no interest in anyone other than her, so it wouldn’t be a problem for me. Would it be for her? “Is that what you’re worried about? I mean, that I’ll cramp yours?”
She shook her head. “The weirdly awkward conversation is back.”
“It doesn’t have to be. A simple no works.”
She folded her arms and raised a brow. “Does it?”
“Yes, Daphne. Or rather, no. You won’t be cramping my style.”
“Neither will you.”
Brix talked more about the house, as well as the one they were building in Mexico, over dinner. “Every time we visit, Tryst has added another room,” he joked.
“That may be my fault,” said Addy. “I would really miss this dining area.”
It was off the kitchen and had garage doors made of glass panels that could be rolled up, making it an outdoor space, or left down like they were tonight, when the weather was chilly.
It was difficult for me to stop myself from gazing at Daphne. I could stare at her for hours, but when she closed her eyes and kept them shut, I couldn’t look away. What was she thinking about? Beau? Some other guy? Why was it never me?
I could feel someone else watching me and turned toward my brother. He frowned and shook his head.