Page 24 of Work and Play
My head jolts up, narrowly missing the hatch of my trunk. “No, no. I’m fine, Pierre. Really.” I scramble to try and pick up everything I need to take inside.
“Let me help.”
Finn’s gruff voice sends shivers down my spine. Damnit. He’s way too close to me; his warm, manly smell making my insides turn to goo. My only option is to say nothing and let him carry things inside. That should put some distance between us, I hope. In silence, I hand him the chair cushions I was unloading, and I grab the box of coasters I had designed as a surprise. Pierre showed me the logo they were thinking of, and I took a chance, making a few artistic changes before ordering a small batch of disposable coasters. If they don’t like them, it’s fine, but I’m hoping they’ll see how it will go with the whole feel of the tasting room.
Inside, the construction crew is already hard at work and the space is filled with the sound of hardwood floor being installed. I take a minute and survey the room. The warm rust colour on the walls has already transformed it from a blank industrial building to a cozy, intimate space. The light floors tone well with the walls and brighten the entire place. Once the lighting is complete, furnishings and décor is set up, the room will be the perfect blend of elegant and eclectic. Truly, it’s my dream space. Nothing I’ve worked on to date has so closely embodied my aesthetic.
“I wasn’t certain the flooring would work with the paint, but Ashley, you have done it. It is, parfait.” Pierre makes a cliché chef’s kiss of admiration with his hand as he walks over. “Truly, when your father asked if I could use your talents, I knew that you would be the right person for our winery. My instinct. It is never wrong.” He taps the side of his head with an enigmatic smile.
“I appreciate the opportunity to work on this project, more than I can ever say,” I answer honestly. I may have come to this job because of Pierre’s friendship with my father, but it really is Pierre I have to thank. He took a chance on me, not knowing my design style or skill level, and I’ll never forget that. Even if it is mildly embarrassing my business opportunities had dipped so low, I needed dear old dad to step in.
“And are you enjoying your time in Dogwood Cove? It is a lovely town.”
“Yes.” I smile. “It’s a beautiful place.”
“Pierre, the truck is here with the latest batch of Chardonnay juice. I’ll be in the barn for the day.”
I force myself not to react to Finn’s voice.
“Ah, wonderful. Have you shown Ashley the process for creating your magic yet?”
Oh Lord, no. Please no. Don’t do this to me…
“Not yet.”
Geez, does Finn have to sound so reluctant. My head lifts up of its own accord and I frown at him.
“Perhaps this is the perfect opportunity. Ashley, you really should learn how Finn crafts our exquisite wine from nothing but juice.”
“It’s not nothing but juice,” Finn comments, and I hate the warmth and amusement he shows Pierre that he apparently can’t show me. “But yes, Ashley, if you want to come and see how it’s done, you’re welcome to do so.”
Seriously, am I the only one who can hear how unenthusiastic he is about the idea?
“Fine. Thanks.” Pierre frowns at my clipped response, but I ignore him, picking up my coat and shrugging it on before I follow Finn out into the cold. The walk to the red barn that houses the fermenting tanks and whatever else Finn needs for his magic is thankfully short.
Inside are huge steel tanks, and the sweet smell of fermentation fills the air. Everything is gleaming, clean, and organized. I can see a long hose attached to one of the tanks and a man is busy with some controls I can’t make sense of. Finn gives him a nod of greeting as he leads me briskly down the middle of the row of tanks.
“This is where the juice ferments. I add yeast to adjust sweetness and encourage the natural process. Eventually it’ll go into barrels to be aged until it’s ready to be bottled. Most of this will go to straight oaked chardonnay, but I’ll pull some to put into our proprietary blend.”
I have to speed walk to keep up, which I know he’s doing on purpose. Still, it’s interesting walking around and seeing the inner workings of a winery for the first time.
“I’ve never really liked the oaky flavour of chardonnay.” Apparently, that’s the wrong thing to say, judging by the scowl Finn gives me.
“It’s an acquired taste.”
I come to a stop. When he turns around, my hands are on my hips, and you better believe I’m glaring right back.
“Look, I get it. You don’t want to be doing this right now. But do you really have to be such an asshole?”
He has the decency to seem chagrined, but that doesn’t stop my rant now that I’m started.
“We kissed. It was great, at least for me it was. But if you want to pretend it didn’t happen, fine. I’m here to do a job, not start dating or fall in love. So we’ll chalk last night up to a mistake, or whatever. It was just a kiss. The least you could do is act like a decent human being.”
“It was more than great.”
My eyes widen. “Excuse me?” Out of everything I just said, that’s the part he holds on to?
He looks up at me, and the scowl that had me feeling so mad at him has been replaced by a smoulder that should be illegal. “You heard me.”
