Page 26 of Hot Hearts
She taps her fingers against her glass for a moment, pondering this information. “How do we prove that it’s not wine and that he’s faking it?”
“Have another sommelier go on a broadcast with him and they can do a taste test?”
“He wouldn’t agree to that.”
“I could host a wine tasting event at The Plate. We could broadcast it and have everyone give their opinions of the wines.”
“That wouldn’t really show that he was faking his reviews on his channel, though. At best, it would show that he doesn’t have as much knowledge as some other wine guys, but it wouldn’t prove that he’s stealing empty bottles from the restaurant andpassing them off as his own. Besides, I think he’s up to something else.”
“What’s that?”
“I don’t know. I saw Sara today.”
“The cheater?”
“Yeah. She was the one that kept pushing me toward Felipe. I’m not a wine person. I like regular people food, and my booze is usually a wine spritzer.”
I make a face. She laughs. “I know. This is really good. I think I taste…maple syrup?”
“Yeah, a non alcholic version of a hot toddy.”
“It’s perfect. I like mixed drinks, fruity drinks, and stuff that doesn’t taste like strong booze. Wine doesn’t do it for me, although Felipe tried to get me interested. Anyway, that’s not where I’m going. Sara was the one who hooked me up with Felipe, only to sleep with him behind my back. Today she said he doesn’t take her calls and was trying to get me to mend their relationship.”
I do not understand people. “Why?”
“I don’t know. There’s something going on with Felipe, though, because why did he want to get with me? Why did Sara push me into his life?”
“Isn’t it because you’re hot and funny?”
This time, Slater’s laugh is genuine. “No, I mean, thank you for saying that, but Felipe didn’t try to date me because I’m hot and funny. It’s for some other reason.”
Fame, probably, but I keep my thoughts to myself. I finish off my whiskey and take Slater’s hand. “We’ve discussed the asshole enough for the day. Let’s do something we both will enjoy a lot more, such as me proving to you that the only reason any guy would want to be with you is because you’re hot”—I kiss her neck—“and funny.” I lift her onto the counter. “Open up, darling. Time for dessert.”
Chapter Seventeen
SLATER
I’m going stir-crazy. Brooks's condo might be big, but it’s not helping at the moment. I’ve wandered from one room to another, bored out of my mind. A few months ago, the idea of being trapped in my apartment sounded like a dream. The reality of that is way different.
I know I can go outside, but I don’t want to. I’m keeping myself off of social media so I don’t have to face or deal with it. I want to keep my stress to a minimum. I read in one of the baby books that it is for the best.
“Babe.”
I smile when I hear Brooks call for me. He has been my saving grace through all of this, even though it has affected him as well.
“I’m in the living room,” I shout back, shoving my book under the pillow on the couch.
“What’s that?” Brooks asks, catching me.
“Nothing.” I shift to sit in front of it. Brooks comes over, leaning down to kiss me. My eyes fall closed, and I lean forward, kissing him back. If I could kiss him all day every day, I wouldforget about all my problems. Brooks has the superpower of making me forget about anything else in those moments.
“Got it.” Brooks smirks, his mouth still against mine.
“Hey. You tricked me.” I push at his chest and try to grab my book. He’s way quicker than me. He glances at the book in his hand and back at me. “I can explain.”
“Now that you’ve been busted? Would you have told me?”
I shrug one shoulder. “I’m bored,” I huff in my own defense.
