Page 109 of Tempted Hearts
Reluctant to wake her, I looked around for a pen and paper. I found one and wrote,Text me when you’re up, and laid it beside her.
But I didn’t leave.
What was it about this woman sleeping so peacefully that had me acting like somebody else? Taking off my glasses, which I’d done the second I realized she liked me better without them. Multiple dates. Coming back home unexpectedly from New York. All of it added up to one truth.
The question was, how had it happened so quickly?
And what to do about it?
Figuring it was time to return the pickup, I texted Cosimo and also Parker to see if he could pick me up at Grado Valley at some point. He wasn’t at a job yet and could come now, so that was where I headed.
Parking next to the other GVV trucks behind one of the tasting room buildings, I made my way into the main room, for Cosimo was already in his office working.
“Hey, how’d it go? Work okay for you?”
“It was a huge help. Thanks for the loan.”
“Anytime. Coffee?” he asked, standing and heading to the coffee machine.
“Sure. I’ll take it black.”
After he handed the coffee to me, I asked, “So, things seem to be going pretty well here?”
“Better than ever. The brewery is a huge hit. We have some things going on down at the lake. It helps that we all have partners now, and more than one works here with us. Nothing like an almost fully family-run business.”
I detected a hint of sarcasm.
“I’m sure that has its challenges.”
“Sibling stuff, you know.”
I sort of knew. My sister and I got along pretty well. It was my brother and I who tangled at times—the brother who would never come to Brattle Valley. Would never marry. Would never realize his dream of following in his father’s footsteps. I shrugged off the memories.
“I do. So your wife works here too?”
“She does. Works like crazy. She should be here any minute. Happy to introduce you.”
I didn’t want to wear out my welcome. I had some things to figure out. But instead of moving, I found myself considering a question I should be asking one of the guys, but at least he didn’t have the same bias as my buddies.
“Can I ask you a question about you and Brooke?”
“Shoot.”
“How did you know she was different?”
Cosimo sat back in his chair and folded his arms across his chest. “How did I know she was different?” he said to himself. “Man.” He shook his head back and forth. “So many signs, looking back. But I thought it was because she worked here.” He shrugged. “It just became undeniable. The more I fought it, the more I wanted to be with her. I guess the thought of her being with somebody else, and not me, probably had a lot to do with it. Even when I was being a stubborn asshole.”
His eyes narrowed.
“You’re obviously asking for a reason. Have anything to do with Juliette?”
“Has everything to do with Juliette.”
Cosimo took a deep breath in and out. “Relationships can be complicated as hell. But rewarding as hell, too.”
“Obviously, we’re very different,” I said.
“Different is good. Brooke and I are like night and day. Sometimes that works even better.”
