Page 73 of Love Beyond the Illusion
Stopping mid-movement, I raise my head to give everyone a friendly wave, glancing up and down both sides of the table. Members and business owners in the community dressed in more formal wear clap as I give them a quick, polite wave of my hand.
“Why don’t you come up here and say something? I’m sure everyone is eager to hear some of your thoughts and plans with Bradley Wines.” The clapping gets louder, and my ears start to ring. I have nothing prepared.What am I going to say?Looks like I’m going to have to wing it.
Fuck.
Piper’s eyes stared up at me with confusion but also empathy. Seeing the uncertainty on my face, she quickly squeezes my hand and mouths the words, “You can do this.”
I reluctantly release her hand. Feeling the immense pressure from the entire room, the barrels stacked on either side of the wall close in on me. On my way to the front, I let my fingers feather Piper’s hair. She gives me a comforting smile. Nerves inch up my back as I walk by the smiling faces of our community members.
“Didn’t mean to put you on the spot, my friend. I thought this would be a good opportunity to get in front of the wine grower members,” the president apologizes.
I extend my hand to shake his. “No worries, Tim. Next time, give me a heads-up.
He chuckles, then hands me the microphone. “For sure, Jack. Thanks for being flexible.”
Sweat mists the hairline on my forehead even though there’s a chill here. If I had to guess, the temperature is probably in the low sixties. I stand at the head of the long banquet-style table with close to eighty of Dupara’s winery and vineyard owners, as well as influential members of the community. Ones with pride, whose families can be traced back three to four generations, all involved in the wine industry in one way or another.
But more importantly, Piper.
Her strawberry blonde hair is pulled to the side. With her hand resting on her chin, those beautiful eyes stay on me.
Rubbing my lips together, I prepare to address a room full of people who understand me only as Bradley Wines’ heir and someone who abandoned his family business and the people whom he grew up with. But now they’re the ones I need the most support from if I’d like to keep the winery as successful as it has been. My brain spins with anxiety and self-doubt as I scramble to prepare the appropriate words at the last minute.
“Good evening,” I begin, feeling the weight lay heavy on my chest. Then, my eyes find Piper’s and beyond the orange glow of the dimly lit room, I can see the encouraging smile on her face. With a quick nod of her head, I know that it’s only her and I in this room.
I block out everyone else before clearing my throat to begin again. “We’d like to continue this wonderful evening filled with good food and even better wine, so I’ll keep this short and sweet. I’m so grateful to be back in Dupara with all of you. During the time I’ve spent in Arizona, I’ve obtained a degree in business and marketing, which allowed me to work for one of the most successful hospitality marketing firms in Phoenix, preparing me for this exact moment. I look forward to taking over Bradley Wines and continuing my father’s legacy while incorporating innovative marketing trends to enhance the business and the community. I plan to continue the local initiatives created and run with the support of Bradley Wines. I see my family’s winery being directly involved in fostering and cultivating the growth of smaller businesses—”
I’m interrupted by the steady buzz of clapping throughout the room. It dawns on me that these members want to be assured that there won’t be a shake-up in their small community and that things will continue to be as normal as expected. The realization washes over me, bringing a sense of peace with it. They’re not looking for perfection or glaring at me through eyes of judgment. They’re looking for stability.
“Thank you,” I say, humbled by the surrealness of this moment. This is what Preston and Steve crave. They want to inherit the adoration and respect that my father worked so hard to maintain from his fellow business owners—whom he often referred to as his wine family. An accomplishment of his that I’ve always taken for granted.
In my eyes, this world has always been a burden to bear, holding me back from being myself and the ability to chase my dreams. When in reality, they could’ve been the anchor and support system the entire time.
“Also, I hope to support our community the best way I know how. I promise to give you all my best, coupled with the unwavering backing from the incredible staff at Bradley Wines, some I’ve known since I was a child. We will continue to build and maintain the relationships needed for stable, organic growth. I look forward to immersing myself back into the people of this town, and I can't wait to get started. I don’t want to take up too much of your time during this event. Again, thank you all. Cheers!”
With a round of applause and an unexpected standing ovation, I hand the microphone back to the president and stroll past the rows of chairs filled with members whose eyes follow me as I move. I stop to shake hands with almost every person I pass, and if not a handshake, I’m greeted with a smile of encouragement or nod in approval.
It feels good, and I know my dad would have been proud.
I’m halfway down the long table when I reach Piper. She starts to lift from her chair with open arms, but I don’t go in for the friendly hug she’s anticipating. Instead, I bring my palms to both cheeks and crash my lips into hers. A kiss not for show and not for the little thing that’s been going on between us. It’s a kiss for me—us, and who we are together.
The sound of the president speaking at the front of the cask room is drowned out by the hum of energy blasting through my veins. Piper crosses her wrists behind my neck, pulling me in closer. With her soft lips roaming over mine and a slight slip of her tongue into my mouth, I decide this night will end soon. I’m anxious to get her back to the villa where it’s only the two of us.
“Wonderful job, Mr. Bradley,” Piper whispers into my lips.
“Couldn’t have done it without you here,” I say, keeping my voice hushed that only she can hear.
“Yes, you could.”
“Maybe—” I pull out the chair behind her so we can both take our seats. “Maybe not.”
My eyes quickly glanced around and noticed that my hearing had returned because the string quartet had begun playing again. Piper and I are seated across from Leslie and Lyle Hockley. They’re my parents’ friends and come from a long line of growers. Leslie is a retired college professor and only recently started taking on more with their winery. She and Lyle both sit on several local boards.
“Such a bummer your mother couldn’t make it.” She frowned before sipping the starter soup. The first course in a seven-course dinner tonight, each paired with a specific wine selection.
“I know she looks forward to this event all year, but she had some things to take care of out of town,” I reply, gliding my palm across Piper’s leg under the table. She wiggles in her seat.
“How are you holding up after losing your father?” Lyle asks, creasing his forehead. “We all do miss him.”
