“You always taste the floral notes better than me.”
Emma glowed when she talked wine.
“You two are simply adorable,” Nancy said with a sigh. “That was very entertaining.”
“You certainly know your wine,” Mike pointed out.
“I hope so . . . all things considered,” Emma said.
“You have cabernet grapes on your land, right, cara?”
“Not a lot, but yes.”
“Your land?” Mike asked.
“My parents have helped me get started on my own vineyard. Completely private label,” Emma told him.
“Is that right?”
Gio once again used his free hand to touch Emma’s back. He liked where she was going with this.
“Yes. In Temecula. The vines are sturdy, but my production needs some TLC before harvest.”
“Good for you,” Nancy quickly said.
“Say that in a couple of years when I have entries in the black column.”
“I’ve seen your plan, amore. It may not take two years,” Gio told Emma.
“One could hope. Truth is that’s part of why I’m here,” Emma told her captive audience. “Networking is part of the job, right?”
Mike smiled. “When your father owns what he does, you probably don’t need that.”
“I don’t plan on failing, and I’m not counting on bailouts.” Emma lowered her voice and inched a little closer. “My father hasn’t been too receptive of me taking responsibility within R&R. He reserves that for my brother.”
“We’ve seen Richard quite a bit over the years,” Nancy told her.
Emma’s smile was starting to fade. “And now you’ll see me.”
Mike regarded them both and then waved at another waiter. “I promised you the merlot. Try this one.”
Gio took Emma’s still-full glass from her hand and moved them aside, then accepted the next vintage.
He turned to face her, saw she’d regained her smile. They went through the same routine of swirling and smelling. As they did, two more parties of people turned to watch them.
“Much richer,” Gio started.
“The merlot for certain. Chocolate,” Emma said.
“More hibiscus?” he asked, knowing that was exactly what he smelled.
“Absolutely.”
They took a taste together and Emma hummed.
It was that good. “I’m going to say ten years aged in oak.”
“I think you’re right.” Emma took another taste. “An expensive bottle to be serving at a function with this many people.”
“When you’re ready for more information on write-offs, Miss Rutledge, give my office a call,” Mike told her.
“I may just do that.”
Gio saw the invitation to keep in touch for the win it was.
“Well? Were we right about the wine?” Gio asked.
“One hundred percent.”
Gerald lifted his glass. “I just know it tastes good and gets the job done.”
They all laughed and lifted their glasses. “Cheers.”
“Emma? Is that you?” Beth’s voice was behind them.
Gio saw Emma suck in a breath before she turned around.
CHAPTER THIRTY
Emotion tore through Emma’s soul . . . from the high of having Mike Caldwell give her an open invitation to call him for advice to the crushing low of turning around to see her father’s stern expression and her ex-husband standing by his side as if he belonged.
“Mom.”
Gio took the glass from her hand before Beth had a chance to move in for a hug.
“Did we know you were coming?”
“Last-minute decision,” Emma lied. She pulled away and moved to her father.
“I’m surprised to see you here,” he said. His lips smiled . . . his eyes didn’t.
Emma kissed his cheek and did everything in her power to keep from shaking.
“Isn’t this where owners of wineries go, Father?” she asked.
Kyle huffed a short laugh.
Emma didn’t give him the courtesy of a glance. “Richard, you look good.” Her brother offered an awkward hug. “Where is Kristen?”
“Headache.”
I bet.
“Giovanni, it’s so good to see you again.” Beth hugged Gio.
“Mrs. Rutledge. You’re absolutely stunning.”
“Oh, please,” Kyle uttered before taking a swig out of the wine in his hand.
Gio turned, his shoulders pushed back. “And you are?” Gio asked.
Kyle dared him with a look. “Emma’s ex-husband. And you?”
Emma took a step closer to Gio.
“Her future,” Gio said, deadpan.
Emma’s heart beat so hard she was sure everyone heard it.
A split second of silence followed the exchange that no one missed.
Thankfully, Emma’s mother cut the tension. “Giovanni, I don’t believe you met Emma’s father. Robert . . .”
Gio turned his attention away from Kyle and shook her father’s hand.
“Beth had a lot to say about you. Restaurant business?” Robert said.
“Correct.”
Emma watched as her father and Gio took each other in.
Gio didn’t linger, he went right to Richard. “You’re the oldest brother.”
“Richard . . . yes. Good to meet you.”
With the introductions out of the way, Emma took a step back and once again felt Gio’s hand on her hip. Its presence was a constant reassurance.
“I didn’t realize your daughter was so engaging, Robert,” Mike pointed out.
“You’ve been keeping her from us,” Nancy added. “We need more young people in this room. Keeps things interesting.”
Emma felt the heat under her father’s gaze. “Emma’s been here before.”
“Very true.” Emma glanced at Kyle, paused. “One time.” She looked away. “But now that I have my own label, I’m back.”
Her dad blinked; fake smile plastered.
“We offered our daughter a piece of our land . . . she decided to be a veterinarian instead,” Nancy said.
“It will all go to her eventually,” Mike said. He looked at Emma. “She’s an only child.”
“Oh . . . well, hopefully she likes wine.” Emma tried to keep the conversation going while her parents, Richard, and Kyle simply stood staring.
“Sometimes I wonder,” Nancy said with a laugh.
Her dad lifted his chin. “How are your vines faring after the fire?” Robert asked Mike.
“Not bad. We were able to save around forty percent . . .”
In that moment, Emma felt the dismissal of her father.
Gio squeezed her waist.
She turned to him. “If you’ll excuse me. I need the ladies’ room.”
Nancy set her glass down. “I could take a break, too.”
Gio kissed her cheek. “You’re doing great,” he whispered.
“Don’t start a fight,” she whispered back.
He winked before she walked away, and then started a conversation with her mom.
Nancy led them both to the bathroom. Once behind the doors, Emma let out a sigh.
“Are you okay?” Nancy placed a hand on Emma’s shoulder.