Page 28 of Secrets, Scandals and Baby Shoes

“You look like you were dipped in jam,” Elliot commented, pointing at her feet.

“And you look like you’re wearing purple socks,” Lucy replied, giggling. “How long do you think this will last?”

“I don’t know, but I hope it’ll be a while.” Elliot turned his leg from side to side. “I think I look quite fashionable.”

Lucy giggled again. “You really do. I think this will add a lot of gravitas to our next pitch. Please wear shorts.”

“I will.” They grinned at each other. Lucy wasn’t even tempted to make a snide comment.

“You guys have great chemistry.”

Lucy and Elliot tore their gaze away from each other to see Monica walking toward them. A wave of awkwardness and nostalgia swirled over Lucy. This was just like all the times they’d hurried apart when they spotted Dominic. She took a step away from Elliot.

“We’ve known each other for a long time,” Elliot said simply. “Since college.”

“That’s lovely.” Monica smiled at them. “Next up, we have dinner followed by a private wine-tasting session for you both. Ready?”

“Ready,” Elliot and Lucy agreed, for once completely aligned. Lucy couldn’t meet Elliot’s eyes, though. Theyhadhad great chemistry back in college, but their interactions now were more about insults and anger than pleasantries.

Lucy wished it weren’t so.

CHAPTER 14

ELLIOT

Elliot was enjoying himself more than he’d expected to, and it wasn’t just the vineyard tour, though that was both fun and enlightening. It was Lucy. For the first time since they’d seen each other in the meeting with Borderless’s lawyers and board, he saw her not as a creative designer or a woman who had broken his heart, but as the smart, silly, happy girl he’d known in college. He missed that girl. Now, he wondered if she wasn’t gone after all.

Over dinner, Elliot and Lucy didn’t get a chance to talk much. They were seated at a table with a family — parents and two adult children with their partners — who’d come up from San Francisco for the weekend. Elliot and Lucy spent the meal asking the family about their experiences at the vineyard, which was very enlightening. The food was delicious, too. It was all locally grown specialties, including fresh-caught fish from just off the coast and a wine made at the vineyard.

After dinner, Monica escorted them up to a balcony at the top of the hotel. From here, they could see the darkened vineyards andgroups of guests below, talking, eating, or participating in wine tasting.

“Usually, we hold wine tasting down in the cave,” Monica explained as she showed them to their small table. “But this is more private, and the view can’t be beat. Plus, it’s warmer up here than in the caves, which is nice at night.”

“It is a lovely view,” Lucy agreed.

“As you might know, our server will bring a variety of wines, as well as some breads and cheeses,” Monica explained. “You should already be full from dinner, which will help. Make sure to drink plenty of water, take notes if you’d like, and ask questions if you have any.” She briefly explained how to smell and taste the wine and what to look for. “That’s it. Enjoy your evening, and I’ll see you tomorrow.”

The server stopped by and introduced herself, then poured the first glass of wine. “I’ll run downstairs and bring your next glass in a few minutes,” she explained.

Once she was gone, Elliot turned to Lucy and raised his glass. “Shall we?”

“All right.” Lucy took a sip and Elliot followed suit, filling his mouth halfway as Monica had suggested.

“What do you think?” Elliot asked.

“Definitely some floral notes,” Lucy said. “And a woody aftertaste.”

“I taste some tannins,” Elliot said. “Or maybe I don’t. I can’t remember which one is better.”

Their eyes met, and they both burst into laughter. “Okay, I’ll be honest, I don’t know anything about wine,” Lucy said, giggling. “I tried to remember as much as I could about what Monica said, and I do enjoy a glass of wine now and then with dinner, but I can’t identify anything about wine beyond the color and how sweet it is.”

“I’m in the same boat,” Elliot agreed. “I can tell if I like something, but not much more than that. And honestly, I don’t love this one. It’s, maybe, a four.” Elliot wondered if Lucy would notice his reference to the rating game they’d played in college, and he saw a flicker of a smile lift the corners of her lips that signaled that she did.

“Me neither. It tastes bitter or something. I agree — four.”

“I think that’s because of the tannins.” Elliot grinned. “I remember that Monica said those make the wine bitter.”

“Look at you, what an expert.”

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