Page 61 of Let It Breathe
The phone rang, and Reese glanced down at the caller ID. She frowned. “Shit, it’s the bank. I’ve gotta take this. So we’ll talk again later?”
“Absolutely,” Clay said. “Enjoy the rest of your day.”
He stood up, part of him wishing they’d had a chance to finish the conversation.
But most of him damn glad they hadn’t.
Reese was reviewing a draft of the Sunridge Vineyards e-newsletter with Larissa late that afternoon when her phone rang for the millionth time that day. Larissa leaned across the desk, spilling cleavage as she peered at the readout.
“Who’s Wallace O’Brien?”
Reese looked down at the phone. “That’s Dr. Wally. He’s the vet who took care of Leon yesterday.”
“A vet, huh? Cute? Single?”
“These are the criteria I should use when selecting a veterinarian now?”
“What do you mean now?” Larissa grinned. “They’ve always been the criteria.”
Reese rolled her eyes and picked up the phone. “Sunridge Vineyards, this is Reese speaking.”
“Reese, this is Wallace O’Brien. We met yesterday after your alpaca ate?—”
“Right, right—I remember,” she said, leaning back in her chair as Larissa leaned forward to eavesdrop. “Thanks again for everything. For coming out on short notice and all.”
“Of course. How’s he doing?”
“Perfect. He seemed a little hungrier than normal last night, but other than that, he seems fine.”
“Good. That’s good.” Wally cleared his throat. “Look, I won’t keep you long. I just wanted to say that I’m going to the Friday Art Walk tonight in Newberg. I was wondering if you might like to join me?”
“Tonight?”
“I’m sure you’ve been before—it’s the first Friday every month, and all the shops and galleries have art and wine and cheese.”
“Oh—well?—”
Dr. Wally laughed. “Sorry, is that dumb to invite a wine pro on a date where wine will be served? Too much mixing business with pleasure?”
“No, actually, it’s great,” Reese said, her brain sticking a little on the word date as she tried to decide how she felt about that. “Um, I think I’m free tonight.”
Across the desk, Larissa perked up. She mouthed the word date? and made a kissy face while Reese tried to ignore her.
Dr. Wally rattled off details about the artists and galleries and shops, and Reese wondered if she should be writing down the information or feeling her heart go pitty-pat in her chest. She couldn’t seem to muster up the enthusiasm for either one, so she settled for grabbing her letter opener.
“So can I pick you up around seven?” he asked.
“I was thinking I’d just meet you there, but?—”
Larissa shook her head vehemently. She grabbed a piece of paper out of Reese’s recycle box, then snatched a pen and scrawled something in big, block letters. She shoved it across the desk at Reese, who was still trying to focus on the conversation with Wally.
Let him drive! Car sex is fun!
Reese rolled her eyes and shoved the note back at Larissa.
“Sure, go ahead and pick me up,” Reese said. “Not for car sex, but?—”
“What?”
