"Did she now?" Elise raised one perfectly shaped eyebrow. "And you believed her?"
"She was pretty fucking clear about it."
"Language, Griffin." But there was amusement in her voice. "Tell me, what exactly did she say?"
I replayed the scene in the parking lot, Lila's voice echoing in my memory.There is no us. There can't be."She said we couldn't be anything because it would complicate her job."
"Ah." Elise nodded knowingly. "She's scared."
"She's focused on her career."
"She's terrified," Elise corrected firmly. "There's a difference. I've been in business long enough to recognize someone running from their feelings when I see it. And that girl was definitely running."
I wanted to argue, but something in Elise's tone made me pause. "What makes you so sure?"
"The way she looked at you, for starters. Like you'd hung the moon and she was afraid it might fall." Elise leaned forward, her expression serious. "Griffin, I've watched you keep everyone at arm's length for years. You've built yourself a nice, safe life where you're always the one doing the rescuing, never the one needing to be saved. But that girl? She threatens that."
"That's not—"
"Isn't it?" She tilted her head. "When's the last time you let someone take care of you? When's the last time you stayed in one place long enough to build something real with another person?"
The questions hit too close to home. I'd been telling myself for years that I was fine alone, that my work was enough, that I didn't need the complications that came with letting someone close. But Lila had shattered that illusion in the span of a few days.
"What are you suggesting?" I asked.
"Stay." The word was simple, but it carried weight. "Not just for tonight, but really stay. Rhodes Select could use someone with your organizational and management skills, and Oakcrest Bay could use a good search and rescue pilot. The coastal mountains see their share of emergencies."
"You want me to give up my crew? My life in Foxfire Valley?"
"I want you to consider that maybe it's time to stop running too." Elise's smile was soft. "You could split your time. Keep your connections to Foxfire Valley but build something here too. With her."
The idea was tempting in a way that scared the shit out of me. "She doesn't want that."
"She doesn't think she can have it," Elise corrected. "There's a difference. Trust me, Griffin. I didn't build this business by being afraid to take risks."
An hour later, I found myself walking through the barrel room at Sparkling Oak Winery, my aunt's words echoing in my mind. The space was cool and dimly lit, rows of oak barrels stretching into the shadows like sleeping giants. The air was thick with the rich, earthy scent of aging wine.
I heard her before I saw her—Lila's voice carrying through the space as she practiced what sounded like a presentation. She stood at the far end of the room, gesturing animatedly at an imaginary audience, her dark hair catching the golden light that filtered through the high windows.
"The 2021 Cabernet represents everything Sparkling Oak stands for," she was saying, her voice confident and passionate. "Bold, complex, with layers that reveal themselves slowly to those patient enough to savor the experience."
I leaned against a barrel, content to watch her work. She was in her element here, surrounded by the tools of her trade, speaking about something she clearly loved. This was the Lila I'd fallen for—passionate, intelligent, completely focused on excellence.
"The finish is long and smooth, with hints of dark chocolate and espresso that linger on the palate," she continued, then paused, frowning. "No, that's not right. It's too technical. People want to feel something, not get a chemistry lesson."
"Try this," I said, stepping out of the shadows. "The 2021 Cabernet is like a perfect night—it starts bold and exciting, then settles into something warm and comforting that you never want to end."
Lila spun around, her eyes wide with surprise. "Griffin! What are you doing here?"
"Elise wanted to show me around the operation," I said. "Thought I should familiarize myself with Sparkling Oak'sfacilities if we're going to be working together. I didn't expect to find you practicing."
She clutched her notes to her chest, suddenly self-conscious. "I was just... the showcase is tomorrow night, and I want to make sure I get it right."
"You will." I moved closer, drawn by the vulnerability in her voice. "You're a natural at this, Lila. You don't need to keep second-guessing yourself."
"Easy for you to say. This isn't just another presentation for me—it's everything I've worked for."
"I know." I stopped just out of reach, close enough to catch the faint scent of her perfume. "And that's exactly why you're going to be amazing. Your passion shows when you talk about wine. People will feel it."
