Page 57 of Love Unforgettable
Chapter 19
Lexie
Wine events always stress me out and this one is no different. Especially with this being our inaugural event before our grand opening and there’s still a ton of stuff to finish. It did not go by unnoticed that I failed to hear from Trevor again since he hung up on me after I wouldn’t have phone sex with him. It leaves me with an odd feeling not having talked to him before tonight. Knowing that I’m going to see him is either a bonus or a curse, I’m just not sure which it is yet.
I also haven’t talked to Kat or Remi since I saw Remi at the hospital. The girls don’t know I haven’t heard from Trevor. And they don’t know I had dinner at Cole’s house, threw myself at him, and then had him reject me.
Take a breath. Get centered. Be here now.
I look around the room at the people drinking and enjoying my wines. It’s an intoxicating feeling, no pun intended, knowing that you alone have created something that other people enjoy. Winemaking is an art, though not everyone sees it that way. Don’t get me wrong, there’s a ton of science involved as well; and farming if, like me, you’re growing your own grapes. It’s deceptively hard work. I can geek out for way too long on all things wine and winemaking if someone gets me going. Stopping only after I see their eyes glaze over and that look on their face that saysI only asked to be polite, just give me more wine.
Tonight, I’m pouring six of my wines. Each guest, of age, gets a two ounce pour to go with a paired tray passed appetizer from In Queso Emergency,a local cheese and charcuterie shop I often work with for events such as this. It’s a decent size crowd that has shown up. I have a capacity of 250 people for events, and I would say we are close to it now. Yet, still no Trevor. And even more curious, no Kat and Remi. They’re usually first in line at my events. Standing slightly to the side of the bar, so as to not get in my way, but still close enough that we can talk about people. They say it’s just for the free wine, but I’d give them free wine anyway. So, I know it’s really for moral support.
And I need them now, so where the hell are they?
Trevor must be here. The event is starting, and it’s for him, so I can’t believe he would miss it. Doc Richardson didn’t say anything about it when I saw him earlier and I didn’t ask, but I have yet to see him. I open a new bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon as someone clinks against their glass, calling for attention.
I hate it when people do that.
I use the nice Riedel glasses. Glass in the tasting room, but crystal in the VIP room. And I splurge on three different styles/types, which is a huge pain in the ass when it comes to cleaning and storage. But the best thing Stone taught me is to give everyone who comes in the experience you want.
So, I try to do exactly that. Right down to the glass type.
But half the time when someone starts clinking on their wine glass, whether it be with a utensil, jewelry, or even another glass, they break it. I look up and see Doc Richardson in the middle of the room, clinking his glass with his house key, holding his hands up to get people to quiet down.
“Hi. Hi. I’d like your attention, please. Thank you. First, I’d like to thank everyone for coming tonight. This is clearly a bittersweet event for me. On the one hand, I won’t be seeing most of you on a regular basis any longer. On the other hand, the missus is going to see a lot more of me. Which may not be a good thing, I don’t know you’d have to ask her,” he chuckles and continues, “I guess this means my golf game will improve, huh? Second, I want to thank Lovestone Winery, and especially Lexie Harrington, for their generosity in hosting this event.”
“You still pay, Doc. My Lexie not work for free.” I hear a voice sounding suspiciously like Mavis getting closer to me. And then her little head pushes through the crowd and is at the front of the bar with Babs at her side.
“Bubbe, of course he will pay,” I scold her at the same time as I pour her and Babs extremely generous glasses of wine. If I don’t, she’ll just come behind the bar and do it herself.
“Feh,” she says, waving her free hand in the air. “You know last time, so late with the payment he was.Shnorrer.”
“He’s not a cheapskate. Keep your voice down, he’ll hear you,” I tell her. She and Babs take seats at the bar and turn to watch the crowd. Doc Richardson is still talking about his retirement. After another minute or so, I have a feeling that, like me, over half the crowd must just want him to get on with it at this point.
Which he finally does. “So, it is with great pleasure that I introduce to you my successor, all the way from Syracuse, New York, Doctor Trevor Vaughn.”
Trevor makes his way to Doc’s side and the two men hug.
So, he is here. He looks good.
People clap and wait to see if Trevor is going to say anything.
“Thank you,” Trevor says. “It’s an honor to be following such a great man. I can only hope that someday I’m half the veterinarian that he is. Now, please, enjoy!”
After the long windedness of Doc, I can tell that people are grateful that Trevor kept it short. The bulk of the people invited have arrived and the party is in full swing. I still want to talk to Trevor, but the bar is busy. I have ample staff to cover, but people are still constantly asking me questions and/or complimenting me on the wine, so I’m hesitant to leave. Or I’m just nervous to see him.
And, for God’s sake, where the hell are Kat and Remi?
I grab my phone from my pocket to see if they texted.
Nothing.
I send them a quick text asking where they are. Mavis asks Courtney, my tasting room manager, for a bottle of wine for she and Babs. Courtney looks to me questioningly.
“What am I gonna say, Court? No?” I smile then nod in approval in Mavis’s direction, grateful that neither she nor Babs drive any longer.
“Help me up, Mommy,” I hear a little voice say. I peek up over the counter to see a woman helping a child up onto a bar stool, with a groan. Once she stands I see that she’s a very pregnant, very beautiful brunette.
