The shockon Tristan’s face isn’t something I factored into this plan. He tried talking to me at the wedding, even after I blew him off for months. I figured this would be a dream for him.
“So, do we have a deal?”
“I-I don’t know.” He shakes his head and stares at the ground. “Why would you even make that suggestion?”
To his credit, it is a half-cocked plan. It sparked after Kate said we could take the order. He doesn’t need to know they didn’t co-sign on it.
“You need something, I need something. It works for both of us.” I only hope he doesn’t hear the desperation in my voice. I cannot face my entire family on my own. They will come at me like starving lions.
Finally, he lifts his eyes until they meet mine, and there’s fire in them. “Is this coming from you? Or did the bosses say it?”
Damn it. So much for trying to throw that in there. “It’s from me, okay.” I pick at my nails while avoiding in and all eye contact with him. “They said they can fill your order. Even the ones for the other bandmates.”
Tristan crosses his arms over his chest and smirks. “That’s great. Can I give you the info and give you, my card?”
“Yeah.” I grumble.
He moves closer and leans on the glass case. “You know, you didn’t have to try to trick me into going on this trip with you.”
“Okay.” I roll my eyes. “How else would I have gotten you to agree to this?”
“By asking.” He shakes his head as if it was the obvious answer. For him, maybe. But I don’t typically ask for help. Anytime I’ve done it before it’s come with strings attached.
“Sure, like you would have said yes after I basically gave you the cold shoulder at the wedding. Besides, I didn’t even know you were back in town.”
“Then why offer this now?”
“Because you were here. It’s not like we dislike each other. We just want different things. And you are a safe option.”
“But you know how much I travel.” I can feel his eyes staring a hole into me. “How do you even know I’ll be able to make the dates? It would have all been for nothing.”
He has a point. I didn’t even consider that. Especially when I don’t know the dates for the vacation yet.
“Look.” I sigh. “It wasn’t a well thought out plan. Iknow that, but I cannot be around my family for that long alone. It was worth throwing the idea out there.”
“When is the trip?”
“I have no idea. My baby brother is supposed to send me the dates today.”
His eyebrows scrunch in confusion. “Wait, are you telling me, your family hasn’t given you the dates but they expect you to be there?”
“Welcome to the shit show.” I raise my hands in defeat. “There’s no telling these people no. It’s unacceptable.”
“Wow. Kind of glad I only have one sibling.” He takes a moment to think about what I’ve said. “Why is it so critical that you’re there?”
A million reasons jump to the top of my head. Because they want to control my life. Because they don’t want me to be successful unless they have some sort of input in it. But that’s not what I tell him.
“They still want me to be a part of the business. And, not just a voice. They want me to be hands on, and my heart isn’t in it. Running a winery has never been my passion.”
“Do they know that?”
As much as I want to say yes, they do, I’m not sure that’s right. I’ve never explicitly told them I don’t want a part in the business. I’ve only ever dodged their questions or given vague non-committal responses.
“I think so.”
He reaches across the counter and places his hand on mine. “How important is it that you go on this trip?”
“According to my brother, it’s very important.”
