Which somehow made it worse.
Several minutes later, Lark had finished her wine tasting, so Nora waved her over. “Hey, Lark. Can I talk to you a second?”
She nodded, tossing a towel over her shoulder and excusing herself from the customers with a promise she’d be “right back.”
“Nora, I really am sorry.”
Nora waved off her apology. “Listen, let’s wipe the slate clean again. You were only a few minutes late and you’ll more than make up that time at the festival this weekend.”
Lark frowned briefly. “Festival?”
Nora crossed her arms. “You do remember that you volunteered to work the wine festival in Norfolk this weekend, right?”
It was obvious to Grayson that Lark one hundred percent had not remembered, but she lied anyway.
“Of course, I remember. It’s no problem. No problem at all,” Lark insisted, a little too forcefully.
“Great,” Nora said. “Maverick’s going to be busy with wedding stuff, so you’ll be going with Grayson.”
Lark’s poker face completely fell with that news. “Oh. Um…okay.”
Maverick snickered, because Lark clearly wasn’t any happier about the two of them working this festival together than Grayson.
“We’ll leave Saturday morning at six a.m. Sharp,” Grayson added, hoping to make it clear he wouldn’t put up with her being late.
Lark made an exaggerated face. “Six a.m.? Ouch.”
“Lark,” Nora said softly.
“I’ll be here,” she added quickly.
Grayson nodded. “Good. I’ll need some help loading the truck and then we’ll be on our way.”
Lark gave him a jaunty salute. “You got it, boss man.” With that, she turned back to the bar, asking if anyone wanted something to eat.
“This is going to be a disaster,” Grayson muttered to his brother and cousin.
Nora giggled. “I look forward to your recap on Monday.”
“You’re enjoying my pain too much, cuz,” he chastised.
“So much.” Nora grinned, giving him a wink before walking toward the staircase that led up to her office.
Grayson exhaled slowly as he and Maverick rose to return to work.
Maverick bumped shoulders with him. “You know, if you loosen up a little bit, you might actually have some fun this weekend.”
“I’m perfectly capable of having fun,” Grayson felt compelled to say, even if that skill felt far too rusty of late. “It’s just that my idea of a good time and yours differ greatly.”
Maverick’s idea of fun was partying ’til he dropped. He was happiest surrounded by a raucous crowd, loud music, and wild dancing.
Grayson, meanwhile, preferred quiet nights with just a couple of friends and easy conversation. That didn’t mean he didn’t get the concept, just that his kind of fun didn’t match up with his brother’s…or Lark’s.
Before Maverick could reply, Lark threw her head back, laughing loudly.
So…fucking…loud.
He rubbed his eyes wearily.
