Season of Change(99)

                “Not me.” Flynn seemed so sure. He had no idea what was coming. “I’ll say no.”

                “And I’ll have to reiterate. If you don’t take my advice, I’m leaving.” Alone.

                * * *

                “WOW.” CHRISTINE HUNG UP the phone. “I wasn’t expecting that.”

                “What?” Ryan looked up from his desk, where he was searching for articles about the vineyard’s history.

                Working in the second-story office was no longer an exercise in sweat. Nana’s curtains helped the air-conditioning do its job. It would have been conducive to productivity if not for the constant buzz of text messages. Several of her friends, and those she wasn’t so friendly with, texted with news that their winery was bidding to buy Christine’s permits or the winery itself.

                Footsteps sounded on the stairs. Slade arrived, looking attractively unperfect in paint-splattered clothing. His black hair was mussed, as if he’d thrust his hands into it and forgotten to smooth it back down.

                “Oh, good. You’re here.” Christine sounded happy to see him, and she was, especially in this cute, disheveled state. Even millionaires had an off day, it seemed.

                But that phone call... “That was the bottling-line manufacturer. They can start the install at the end of the month. It’ll take a few weeks to set it up.” She looked expectantly at Slade.

                Here was where he proved she could trust him as a boss or prove she didn’t have to rein in her feelings of love. Or both.

                “That’s good news.” The neutrality in his voice proved nothing. He didn’t even sit down.

                “If you’re not selling, yes, good news. I told them I’d call back to confirm the dates. I figured that bought you a day or two to make a decision. To sell or not to sell,” she said with false cheer. “That is the question.”

                Ryan’s face looked green, as if the unpredictable roll of the situation was making him seasick.

                “I don’t need a day or two.” Slade’s neutrality morphed into annoyance. “The partnership isn’t selling.”

                Christine looked to Ryan. “Why don’t I believe him?”

                Ryan, bless his heart, tried to shrug nonchalantly. A valiant effort considering he was probably worried about his rent, his car payment, and his student loans. “He looks believable, but everybody has their price, I suppose.”

                “Good point.” Christine mustered up the courage to look her boss in the eye. “What’s your price?”

                “More than anyone has yet to offer.” Slade crossed his arms over his chest.

                “Ah, but that means you have a price.” She doodled on her pad.

                “Christine...”

                She waited for Slade to speak, but saying her name had apparently drained him of speech. “Well, I hear a truck rumbling down the driveway. Duty calls.” She stood.

                “I’ll go.” Ryan leaped up and raced passed Slade down the stairs.

                Christine sat back down slowly. “You intimidate him.”

                “A hazard of first jobs. The fear of disappointing the boss and being fired.” He glanced about the room, as if suddenly uncomfortable being alone with her.