Page 103 of Que Será, Syrah

“C’mon,” Bee whispers, pulling me along as she goes to stand beside Rosa. “That’s us.”

“No,” I whisper back. “I shouldn’t.”

“Yes, you should,” she hisses, pushing me in front of her, so that I’m sandwiched between them, no way to escape.

“As we embark on this next step in our journey,” Rosa continues, her eyes dancing. “This exciting new adventure, the latest iteration of the Caparelli, Bianchi, Lamberti, Martinelli wine making tradition.”

Rosa nods at Jake who signals to the interns standing ready on either side of the sign.

“And now, if you’ll all please raise your glasses, I give you…Le Tre Sorelle Winery!”

A roar goes up from the crowd as people cheer and clink glasses. Somewhere in the distance I hear someone, I think it’s Leo saying, “Ha! What did I say? I knew that’s the one they’d go with!”

Bee and Rosa are right beside me, squeeing in excitement as they squeeze my shoulders. “Well? Isn’t it great?” they demand gleefully. “What do you think?”

But I can’t think. My mind’s a blank. Le tre sorelle. The three sisters. Nonna’s name for us all. The words on the sign keep blurring as tears flood my eyes and I blink them away. I have no idea where my wine glass went, but both my hands are clasped over my mouth in an effort to keep from bawling.

Now Jake and Jansen have joined us on the stage. Everyone’s smiling and laughing. Kissing. Toasting. I’m so proud of my sisters, of everything they’ve accomplished. And I’m so happy for them. But I still can’t process any of it.

“You all right, babe?” Clay asks. Turning, I find him eyeing me ruefully. I gaze back at him helplessly, unable to answer.

“Yeah,” he says, stepping forward and pulling me into his arms. “That’s what I thought.” And that’s when I start crying for real—gulping for a breath I can’t seem to catch. “Listen to me, mia,” Clay’s voice vibrates in my ear. “You’re okay, understand? There’s nothing to cry about. It’s all gonna work out. Trust me.”

And I nod urgently because I know he’s right. Except that he’s not. Le Tre Sorelle. It’s the perfect name for our winery. My winery. But it’s not that anymore, is it?

The microphone growls as it comes back to life. “It’s okay, folks,” Jake assures the crowd. “Nothing to worry about. Those are happy tears.” Which only makes me cry harder.

I burrow my face deeper against Clay’s chest. He leans down and whispers in my ear, “You’re getting me sooo wet right now.”

I gulp back a laugh and jab a finger between his ribs because that’s so not funny. I mean, it is…just not right now.

“Legs?” Rosa’s voice is tentative. She lays a hand on my shoulder and squeezes gently. “What is it? Don’t you like the name?”

“I do,” I mumble. “It’s perfect.”

“Then what’s wrong?”

“N-n-nothing. It’s like Jake said, these are ha-happy tears. I’m just…s-so happy…f-for b-both of you.”

“Both? But…no! Legs!”

“Shit!” Bee exclaims, sounds horrified. “I knew we should have done things the other way around. Legs, honey, of course we wouldn’t— I mean, we’d never?—”

“Perhaps I can be of service?” another voice interjects. Jimmy? Oh, fuck. Have I ever mentioned how much I hate looking vulnerable? Well, I do. “Allegra? Could I have your attention for a moment?”

“Oh, hey, Jimmy,” I mumble, trying for a normal tone—that’s a big L, by the way. Normal has officially left the building. “What’s up?”

“I have some paperwork here that needs your signature.”

I bite back a curse. What kind of paper—? And then it hits me. I’m being served? Now? What fresh hell is this?

I turn in the circle of Clay’s arms. Then immediately clamp my hands on his wrists to ensure that he won’t let go. “What’s this about?”

Jimmy’s smile is gentle and understanding. “It’s very simple, actually. Your sisters asked me to draw up a partnership agreement, making you all equal partners in the Le Tre Sorelle Winery,” he explains, as my mind goes blank again.

“W-w-what?”

“I mean, Le Tre Sorelle,” Rosa says, and now she’s fighting back tears too, turning to Jake for comfort. “Tre! The clue’s right there in the name! I can’t believe you thought we’d…what? Just…not include you? Really?”

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