Page 12 of Taurus

“I am?” I look to Austin. “He hasn’t told me anything that I’ll be doing, actually, but I’m happy to shadow you, obviously.”

“I’m going to introduce her to the marketing team and Val, then I’ll bring her back around to spend the day with you,” Austin tells us both. “Sound good?” Linds and I both nod in agreement.

I take a deep breath because I feel immediately at ease knowing Linds will be the first shadow of my time here. I like her energy. It’s chill and easy, and I can use all the good vibes I can get.

Austin leads me to the back of the large building that houses the tasting room and we come to the original spiral staircase my grandad installed when this was only offices, back in the day. I basically begged him because I always wanted one in my house one day. This was his way of giving me that.

“You kept it,” I say with a smile.

“Of course we did… he did. You think Warren would have let us get rid of this? No way. He loved it just as much as you did.”

I slide my hand along the cold, black metal railing, “It’s so silly this is here, that he even did this, but damn I loved it… and I still do.”

“We eventually had to get an elevator placed, ADA compliance and all, but Warren never dreamed of taking this away, even when the contractor said it would make the remodel easier.”

Grandad is everywhere within these walls, remodeled or not. It brings me a sense of peace, being here, honestly.

“It makes me emotional,” I admit to him.

“I know.” His tone is soothing and filled with empathy. I know he misses him too. “Okay, let’s go introduce you to Val.”

Val, Linds’s wife, is the exact opposite of Linds.

She’s tall with long, blond hair that is perfectly curled and styled. She’s wearing a pencil skirt and a white, silk sleeveless top and there isn’t an ounce of visible ink on her skin.

But their energy is identical. I’m instantly at ease around her. We could absolutely be friends.

“It’s so great to meet you, Parker.” Val extends her hand to shake mine.

“Likewise,” I tell her.

“Val is our marketing director here at Pesca. She’s the lifeblood of getting customers on site and to our website,” Austin tells me.

“Don’t give me all the credit. I have a wonderful team I manage that helps with every step along the way. I just sign off on things and run meetings.”

“Now she’s being modest.”

Val rolls her eyes and smiles. “Where are you going to be working today?” she asks me.

“Downstairs with Linds, actually.”

“Uh oh. She’s a handful, that one, but she’s damn good at her job. You’ll learn a lot and have a lot of fun. Though, admittedly, I am a bit biased.”

“Maybe, but I have no doubt that it’s the truth,” I respond.

We are continuing our conversation when another voice breaks in, “Wow, you weren’t going to come say hi to me, Austin?”

I turn to look and see a very leggy knockout with fiery, naturally curly red hair and lips painted an equally bright red. She’s stunning.

“What? Not going to introduce the infamous Parker to little ole me?” she says to Austin, grabbing his arm and giving his bicep a slight squeeze. Her Southern accent is thick, almost too thick, like she’s amping it up on purpose.

“I thought you were off today, Carrie,” he responds then clears his throat. “But now that you’re here, of course I’ll introduce you.” She steps into his side, flashing me a smile. I’m not sure how genuine it is though. The tension that her presence has added is immediately evident. “Parker, this is Carrie Shaw. She’s the social media manager here in the marketing department.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Carrie,” I tell her, extending my hand for a shake, which she accepts.

“So this is THE Parker Scott. Wow, you look completely different in your pictures.”

“You’ve seen pictures of me?”

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