Page 137 of Love Among Vines

“It was supposed to be a sure thing,” Chris muttered. “Beauchamp had it in the bag. But then he tore his ACL.”

Jade swore and went to get up, but Rett tugged her gently back down.

“I’m not an ATM. You never paid me back last time, and that’s part of the reason why the winery is where it is today. That money was slated for upgrades. You told me you could double it. So where is it?”

“I don’t have it, okay?” Chris threw the clicker onto the couch. It bounced off and hit the floor with a thunk. He pointed at Rett with a shaking finger.

“You’re so fucking selfish. I’m the oldest brother. This should have all gone tome. But no, grandma gave it to Rett the Golden Boy.”

Rett stared at him. “This isn’t Downton Abbey. You’re not owed anything just because you’re older than me. You don’t even like wine.”

“I love wine.”

“Really? What’s terroir?”

“What’s terroir?” Chris mimicked in a high-pitched voice. “Pack your bag, Lexi,” he yelled. “We’re leaving.”

“Finally,” Jade muttered.

As Chris and Alexa stomped up the stairs, Jade gasped. “What’s Alexa’s last name?”

Of all the topics in the world, she wanted to keep discussing his ex-girlfriend?

“Dumont,” he said.

“Does she have a friend named Shelby? Or Sheldon, maybe?”

“Yes,” he said slowly.

She pulled out her phone and frantically tapped at the screen. She shoved it in his face. “That drug-peddling internet troll. She’s LexiD from the mean Yelp reviews. And these must be her friends.”

Rett stared at the series of one-star reviews, all from the same day. He assumed a group had had a lackluster tasting. But it was a hell of a lot more likely that Alexa and her friends had left them after the will reading.

“Did she dump you because she thought your brother was inheriting the vineyard and the house?” Jade whispered.

“No, that would be insane—” he began, but Jade had already rushed up the stairs.

He dashed after her, but she was already yelling at Chris and Alexa.

“Delete your review,” she said in a voice he had never heard from her before. Gone was the relaxed, fun Jade. This was City Jade, and she looked ready to throw down.

Alexa straightened up, pair of jeans in one hand and a suitcase open on the bed. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Then how did you know I was talking to you?”

Alexa went pink again. “I’m not taking it down.”

Jade took a step into the room, and Alexa flinched. Chris stepped in front of her.

“There are people—real people—who work at the winery and depend on Rett for their livelihood. You’re hurting them more than you’re punishing Rett. I know you must be a good person, because Rett wouldn’t have dated you if you weren’t. Do the right thing. Take the review down. In front of me. Right now.”

“Even if I did know my password?—”

“You know it. And I’m going to sit right here until you delete it.” Jade juked around Chris and perched on the end of the bed. She looked calmly at Alexa.

Alexa let out a frustrated noise and pulled her phone out. She scrolled for a while, then turned her phone to Jade. “There, see?” She swiped a finger. “It’s gone.”

Jade hopped up. “Thank you for doing the right thing. I look forward to seeing you guys at the party.” She grabbed Rett’s hand and pulled him out of the room and back down the stairs.

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