Chapter 18 #4
“The effects really make the whole presentation,” Jack teased.
“Yeah, I may have gotten a little carried away when I was making my final tweaks last night.”
The room was quiet for a moment before Jack broke it. “Still can’t believe you hid a whole vineyard from us, your best friends, for years.”
“Don’t worry, I’m sure she’s been quietly torturing herself about it,” Dani said, tossing Max a knowing smile. Wow, okay, maybe her friends knew her a little too well.
“You have no idea,” Max deadpanned as everyone began to stand and collect their belongings.
Dani was the first to reach her, wrapping her in a hug as she practically vibrated with excitement.
“This is huge! I’m absolutely jazzed for you.
Can’t wait to dive into this.” She wiggled her folder of information.
“I’ve gotta run; I pushed a patient’s appointment to be here, but let’s walk soon, yeah? ”
Max squeezed her back. “Yeah, absolutely. Thanks for coming.”
Lynn approached her next, a cocky smile firmly in place. Max rolled her eyes. “How long did it take you to figure it out?” She grinned as they both laughed.
“Sometime around mid-April. You two”—Lynn tilted her towards Annie—“aren’t as quiet as you think you are. Your stairs are right above my front porch.”
Max beamed. “Ever consider maybe I wanted you to overhear? I mean, c’mon, at this point my vineyard is Wellington Point’s worst kept secret thanks to the Dynamic Dillinger Duo over there.”
Lynn laughed too, then sighed as she looked back at Max.
“I hope you’re really proud of yourself and the way you’re embracing all this change and opportunity.
” Lynn’s gaze flicked to Annie, a knowing smile crossing her face.
“It looks really good on you.” She adjusted the strap of her canvas tote bag, sliding the folder inside.
“We’ll chat about this over tea on Saturday morning.
I have some more questions, but right now I’ve got to get to my karate class. ”
“Can’t wait.” She hugged Lynn before she took off.
And then it was the four of them: Max, Annie, Jack, and Drew.
Jack scooped her up in a hug, lifting her completely off her feet. “You suck, by the way. You should have told me about this”—he brandished his folder at her—“years ago. Think of all the scheming we could have done. Talk about a missed opportunity.”
Drew cut in, his sincerity replacing Jack’s teasing tone. “And by that, he means we are incredibly excited about this opportunity for you. I know we both can’t wait to see where it takes you.”
“Only incredible places, I’m sure,” Annie said, intertwining their fingers.
“Thanks, you guys. I’m definitely still having those pinch-me moments, but this is real, and it’s happening, and I’m a weird combination of excited and terrified.”
“That’s how you know it’s a big dream. If it feels like your stomach is about to fall out of your ass, you’re doing something right.”
“Wow, my boyfriend, the poet, everyone,” Drew deadpanned.
Jack laughed, amused at his own humor. “Double lunch date, anyone? I’m starving.”
Max glanced at Annie, who tilted her head silently, saying, it’s your call. “As much fun as that sounds, I’m kind of beat from all the excitement of the last few days. Kinda want to go home and crash.”
“Say less.” Jack grinned. “Love you, man. You’ve given us one hell of a lunch conversation topic.”
Max hugged Jack first, then Drew before the two of them slipped through the heavy doors, leaving her and Annie alone in the room at last.
Max burst out laughing, the sensation starting in her toes and moving through her entire body almost uncontrollably. “Wow,” she breathed, the massive wave of excitement and nervousness from the day rising up to the surface. “Wow, I’m doing it. Like there’s a formal business plan and everything.”
Annie slipped her arms around her waist, pulling her close. “Yeah, there’s a whole-ass plan ready to go. You did that. You made all of this come true.”
“I couldn’t have done any of this without you. You believed in me. You believed in the chimera I was chasing—the dream of a winery I couldn’t bring into focus because it seemed so far-fetched.”
“I see what you did there,” Annie sing-songed. “Your wordplay is cute.”
“Stop,” Max teased gently, meeting Annie’s gaze. “I’m being serious.”
“I know you are, but I take umbrage with your assessment.” Annie reached for her folder of papers still sitting on the table. “All of this isn’t because of you or because of me. It’s because of us. We made this a reality, and I hope it’s the first of many things we get to build together.”
Max swallowed the last of Annie’s words in a kiss she hoped said all the things she always seemed to fumble when it came to spoken words, every appreciation and admiration transferred through touch until they pulled apart, just barely, foreheads touching as she whispered, “We’re doing this.
We’re really moving to Michigan. We’re really starting a winery. ”
Annie smiled, her voice dripping with her cocky confidence. “You bet we are, and it’s going to be fucking amazing.”