Chapter 11

Eleven

Sam

"I still think we should cater something in." Vivian's announcement drew Sam's attention from the wine rack in front of her. Sam jotted down a four on the paper on her clipboard and moseyed over to lean on the end of the bar.

"I thought we were planning on that," she said around a yawn.

"Why are you yawning? And we talked about it but didn't agree on it."

"Tired," Sam answered. "Viv, you're the owner. If you want to cater some hors d'oeuvres in for the book signing, do it."

Vivian, leaning on the opposite end of the bar, nodded and laughed. "I don't think we ever agreed on what to order."

"I think we agreed little weenies aren't our vibe," Sam mumbled.

"Nope, I think we like them big."

Sam snorted. "Why do I laugh at you? If my mother said that, I would cringe."

"So. Should we stalk Jesse?"

"I'm all about stalking Jesse Vaux," Sam agreed.

"You think he's sexy?" Vivian took a drink from her water glass and wandered down the bar to stand closer to Sam.

"No. But I'm so ready for another book."

"He finished the Wolf Heart series," Vivian reminded her.

"But he could start a new series." Sam shrugged. "Like, he could make a list of names or numbers, or a grocery list, and I would read it."

Vivian rolled her eyes, but her smile made it obvious she was teasing Sam.

"I meant stalk his page to see what kind of food he likes."

"Nah." Sam shook her head. "Let's do some seafood stuff. Some charcuterie."

"What kind of seafood stuff?" Vivian plopped her elbow on the bar. "Are you done with that?" She nodded her head at the wine rack.

"No, because you keep interrupting me." Sam beamed an innocent smile at her.

"You're leaving early today, right?" Vivian pulled her phone from her pocket.

"Not if you need me?—"

"I don't." Vivian cut her off. "I suspect you have a date, and I wouldn't ask you to stay and work if I had ten busloads of thirsty wine snobs coming in."

"It's not a date," Sam told her. "I'm just going to show him around Love Beach."

"Roman Ewing has lived in Love Beach for a month. Now, I know we're not a tiny town, but a month is more than enough time for him to have seen Love Beach."

Sam laughed and stepped back toward the wine rack.

"It's not a date," she insisted. "We're just gonna hang out. Ever been on the Faro Lady?"

"Yep." Vivian nodded. "You haven't?"

"No. I like my money too much to gamble it away."

"Oh, so you're going to gamble the good doctor's money away?"

"At his suggestion."

"Nice." Vivian smiled. "How about we table the hors d'oeuvres discussion until tomorrow?" She glanced at her phone again. "We'll get those details nailed down, and I think we'll be good to go for the signing."

"Perfect. I can come in early."

"Don't you dare."

"Seriously. I'll bring some breakfast. What do you want?"

"For breakfast?" Vivian put her phone down and tipped her head at Sam. "I want you to be snuggling up to someone tall, dark, and handsome, warming the sheets or wrecking the sheets or drinking coffee naked or better yet, in the throes of an earth-shattering orgasm."

Sam swung her gaze to the door when it opened. Her cheeks lit on fire when Roman walked in. She peeked at Vivian with an evil eye, mortified at the thought of him overhearing what Vivian had said.

"Hi." He flashed a casual smile at both of them, seemingly unaware of Vivian's comment and the flames shooting from Sam's face.

"Roman." Vivian nodded at him. Sam held her breath, praying her friend would behave. "Can I get you anything?"

Sam swallowed hard when he turned his attention to her.

"Do I have time for a glass of wine?"

She laughed softly and nodded. "I don't think we have a timeline," she said more as a reminder to Vivian that this wasn't a date than an answer to Roman.

"How about a sauvignon blanc?"

"Changing it up," Vivian said with a nod. "I like it when people step outside their box."

Sam ignored her pointed look and went back to inventorying the wine rack.

"That's what today's all about," Roman announced.

Sam glanced at him over her shoulder. "What is?"

"Gambling." He shrugged, his smile effortlessly charming.

"Friend of mine hit the jackpot on the Faro Lady last month," Vivian told him as she poured his wine. Sam knew without looking she was pouring the Chansonnier white. Chansonnier Vineyards was by far she and Vivian's favorite winery. "She went home with five k more than she started the night with."

"My uncle won a big jackpot in Vegas once." Roman took the glass from Vivian and nodded his thanks. "Turned around and blew it the next day."

"Craps?" Vivian asked him.

"Nope. Bought his wife a new car. They were divorced within two months."

"So, money is the root of all evil." The tone of Vivian's voice caught Sam's attention. She peeked at her friend, but Vivian still stood with the bottle of sauvignon blanc in her hands, a look of innocence on her face.

"Actually, the quote's?—"

"I know." Vivian nodded. "The love of money."

Sam quickly finished counting the last of the bottles on the bottom shelf and then walked behind the bar to hang the clipboard up.

"What do you think?" Sam nodded at Roman's glass.

"Crisp." He took another swallow. "I'm getting a hint of peach."

"Are you planning to come to the book signing?" Vivian asked him.

Roman narrowed his eyes for a moment and then flashed them both that charming smile again.

"Of course I am. What would I have better to do than come here, hang out with two beautiful ladies, and meet Jesse Vaux? Not to mention the wine."

"The head winemaker at Chansonnier will be here, too," Sam told him.

"Sounds like a good night," Roman agreed.

"Why don't you head on out?" Vivian suggested. "Or sit down with Roman and have a glass of wine? It's quiet right now."

Sam considered arguing, but with another glance at Roman, she realized she didn't want to. Why not sit down and enjoy a glass of wine? If Vivian were to get slammed, she could always jump up and help.

"Good idea." She nodded at the bottle in Vivian's hands and waited for her to pour another glass before going around to sit by Roman.