Page 95 of Blue Hawaiian
She put her head in her hands. “Oh, God. He’s done it, too, hasn’t he?”
“You didn’t know?” Her reaction hit him like a physical blow. “I didn’t mean—”
“It’s fine. I’m not surprised. I’ve had my suspicions.”
“Dad’s a dick. He always has been.”
“I’m supposed to meet with him on Monday morning to discuss the situation. With Ben canceling this late in the game, we won’t get any of our deposits back. Which means I’ll owe Dad more than ever.”
His pulse pounded. What kind of a man cared more for the bottom line than for his only daughter’s well-being? “Sorry. That sucks.”
“It does indeed.” She leaned back in her chair. “Right now, I want to drink and forget everything.”
Given the ache he felt over Jess’s absence, he wasn’t the best person to console her, but at least he could offer her food. “Have you had dinner yet?”
“No. It all happened so fast. After Ben told me the news, I couldn’t go back to his place. And I sure as hell wasn’t going home to Dad. So, I headed for the only refuge I could think of. I haven’t eaten since eleven this morning.”
He went over to the table and picked up the tray. “Come on. I’ll make us dinner.”
“Fine.” She got to her feet, collected her heels, and followed him into the lodge. “But you’re cooking.”
“Not much to do. Before I left yesterday, Tom Bartolli’s wife brought me a pan of homemade lasagna. I heated it up last night, but there’s a lot left, and I can whip up some garlic bread and a salad.”
As he prepared dinner, he gave Victoria an update on his winery. The last few months had been so intense that he’d rarely made time for conversation. After they were done eating, they went into the great room to relax. While he started a fire, Victoria fetched another bottle of wine from the pantry and refilled their glasses.
She settled herself into an oversize armchair. “I’m not cramping your style, am I? If you want to go into town and pick up company, I can retreat to my room.”
If he wanted company? Of course he did. But the woman he wanted had yet to make an appearance.
“I’m not interested. Not right now.” He kept his voice neutral, hoping Victoria wouldn’t push him on the subject.
“You’re not interested in picking up women? In what universe?”
“In this one. I’m not the reckless asshole I used to be. I own a third of a winery and sixty-five acres of vineyards.”
“Which means what? You’re turning into a tight-ass like Darren?”
He repressed a shudder. No matter how big his winery got, he’d never turn into Darren. He set the iron screen across the fireplace and sat in the chair next to Victoria’s. “I’m still up for a good time, but I’m done with mindless one-night stands.”
She set down her glass and stared at him. “What’s going on? You’ve been acting strange ever since we got back from Maui. And don’t tell me it’s because of the winery. Iknowyou, Connor. It’s more than that.”
He looked away, but her piercing stare was hard to ignore.
“Wait.” She laughed. “This is because ofher.You’re still fixated on Jessica Chavez.”
Damn it.
She gave him a smug grin. “I’m right, aren’t I? You haven’t gotten over her.”
“You win. I’m still in love with her.”
“You’rein lovewith her?”
How had he let that slip? Talk about rolling over and showing his underbelly. “Forget it.”
“I will not forget it. My own brother, felled by another of those damned Chavez women. Why haven’t you gone after her? Didn’t she move back home two months ago?”
At any other time, he might have hesitated to share Jess’s scheme with his critical sister. But Victoria could use a laugh. So, he told her everything. Sure enough, when he was done, her eyes danced with amusement.
