Chapter 28 – Conner
“I have another wine for you to test before I call a car to take you home.” I grabbed the empty bottle and went to retrieve the second one. I hoped she liked it as much as I did.
“I drove here.” Lena frowned at me.
“That thing you ride is hardly more than a bicycle, I’m not even sure how you made it all the way here.”
“It was touch and go.” She giggled, and I liked the sound of it. I wondered what it might be like to be the one to make her laugh every day.
“Besides, we’ve put away a whole bottle of wine already. Neither of us should be doing any driving tonight.” I stepped into my wine cellar and grabbed the test bottle. I’d opened it earlier to let it breathe longer.
“My grams would say that makes you a gentleman, but I’m not so sure she has the best judgment. She’s kind of cagey, my grams.”
“And you’re a little drunk.” I set the dusty bottle of wine on my desk between us, shaking my head at Duke, who was curled up beside her with his head on her lap. “You sorry traitor.” I laughed. “I think my dog likes you better than he likes me.”
“He’s got good taste.” Lena brushed her fingers through his fur, and I could swear his eyes literally rolled back in his head.
“You may regret spoiling him. He’s a big baby, and he’s pushy when it comes to head scratches and belly rubs.”
“He can have all he wants of both.” Lena leaned down and kissed him on the head. And just like that, I was jealous of my dog. I poured another round and handed her the glass.
“I don’t drink much so I’m a light weight. I don’t usually even like wine, but that first one was really good.” She reached for her glass, and our fingertips brushed for a brief moment. Despite the urge to curl my hand around hers, I yanked it back.
“Then, this should knock your socks off.” I swirled the deep red wine in my glass, trying not to look up into her gorgeous eyes.
“It’s pretty.” She studied the rich wine before she inhaled the bouquet, an adorable crease of concentration forming between her brows. “And spicy.”
“Mulled wine. I thought it would be an excellent holiday-only, private label for purchase in our finest store.”
“I love that idea.” She breathed in the fragrance like I showed her with the last bottle. “Oh, that smells like Christmas.” She took a careful sip. “I taste cinnamon and nutmeg.” She took another sip. “Allspice and something more savory with a bit of a bite.”
“Cardamom and orange zest, with hint of apple blossom.” For a reason I couldn’t begin to unravel, I wanted her to like my wine, needed her to.
“It’s delicious but not overpowering. I’ve never had mulled wine. I always thought it would be too spicy, but this is lovely.” She swirled the contents of her glass and took another sip. “I could get used to this.”
“The secret is adding the mulling spices early in the process so they don’t overpower the wine but complement it.”
“Well done.” She lifted her glass with a smile, meeting my gaze. “My mom will be our best customer. She’s going to love this stuff.”
“I have several bottles, you should take her one.”
“Oh, she’s not ready for that yet.” Lena laughed, but her face pinched in sadness. “She still doesn’t like this whole partnership thing.”
“I’m sorry for that. I hate to be the source of any … tension within your family.”
“She’ll come around once she sees the results. Once she sees my plans are actually moving forward.” Lena let her hands fall back into her lap, and Duke was quick to nudge her to work on his ears.
“And your father?” I couldn’t imagine how he must have reacted to our partnership.
“Dad is … reserved.” Lena sat quietly in her chair, staring over my shoulder. “He is never quick to give an opinion until he sees the big picture. He doesn’t like you very much.” She gave me an apologetic smile. “But he will respect what we are trying to build together. He just will never want to be beholden to an Ashford for our family’s success.”
“Sounds a lot like my dad.” I was familiar with the type. Quiet. Stern and unforgiving.
“Oh, not at all. My dad’s a big old softy when it really matters.” Fondness entered her gaze. “I’ll talk to him again before we break ground and convince him this is the right move for us. Even if he never agrees with me, he will support me. That’s what dads are for anyway.”
I was definitely not familiar with that type of father.
“I remember when we were little, Dad was always so excited for the first big snow. It didn’t matter if it was the middle of the night or during the school day. Once the ground was covered, he’d come get me and Enzo to play in the snow for hours. He was like a kid himself. We’d go sledding and have snow ball fights, build snowmen. It was always the best day.”
“It’s no wonder you wanted to create a winter wonderland for kids to experience the magic of the holidays.” I smiled into my wine glass, trying to hide my jealousy. I’d never known what it was like to have a father like that, and I never would.
“Maybe. If my—our extension of Orchard Hill can bring that kind of magic to other families, then my job is done, and my dad will be proud.”
“It must be nice to be so sure of their support even when they haven’t given it.”
“I may not have their approval yet, but I’ll always have their support, Conner.” She reached for my hand, and I saw pity in her eyes. That was one emotion I never wanted to see from her.
Maybe it was the wine, or maybe it was the fact that I couldn’t get her out of my head—couldn’t get the idea of her and Carter out of my head, and that left me feeling irrationally jealous. But I leaned forward, closing the distance between us.
The moment my lips brushed hers, something within me shifted. I wanted more. Reaching to cup her face, I let my fingers slide through her silky hair.
She let out a breath in surprise. She had no idea what she did to me, how much she made me want to be better than I was.
“Conner, no.” She pushed against my chest, shaking her head. “We can’t.”
“Why not?” I blurted. “Ever since that day you pushed me into the bay, I haven’t been able to get you off my mind, Selena.” I reached for her hand, hoping we could find the easy intimacy we’d shared over the last few hours.
“Is that why you invested?” Anger sparked in her dark eyes, and I knew I had to lay it all on the line.
“No.” I leaned back in my chair, scooting away from her to give her some space. “I invested in an amazing woman with an incredible plan and a brilliant mind for business. I invested because this town needs you and your fire and creativity.”
“That sounds like a lot of waffle.” She frowned at me.
“I’m serious, Lena.” I smiled, trying to reassure her. “You deserve a chance to make Orchard Hill Farms one of the premier businesses in this region. You will succeed at anything you set your mind to. As Conner Ashford, the businessman, I want to be part of that.” I propped my elbows on the desk between us. “Conner, the guy, though, he likes your fire and the way you stand up for yourself and your family, despite all my family has done to keep you down. I didn’t …” I pushed a frustrated hand through my hair. “This is a surprise to me just as much as it is to you.”
“What am I supposed to do with that, Conner?” Her warm brown eyes reflected the war within. The same war I was fighting and losing within myself. We were in business together, and even that was a bridge too far for our families. There was no way this could end well.
“I used to want to avoid you at all costs. I even convinced myself I didn’t like you or your family. Now, I can’t imagine not being part of this venture with you. I believe in you, Selena Contreras. You have a passion for your work, and that’s something I’ve not had in a long time … if ever.”
"What about your chemistry set?" She quirked a half-smile at me, and I fought the urge to lean forward and feel that smile against my lips.
“It’s a hobby.” I sighed, hearing my father’s disappointed voice in my head. “My little experiments have never really impressed my father.”
“I don’t understand.” Selena’s eyes smoldered with purpose. “It means something to you, and you’re obviously good at it. If he doesn’t see that, fine, whatever, but you shouldn’t let it stop you from doing something that brings you joy.”
“See, there’s that inspiring spirit I admire.” I lifted my glass to hers. “You know, it’s really annoying sometimes.”
“Because I’m right.” She offered me a soft smile. “Get used to it.” She lifted her glass to tap mine, and I knew we’d turned a corner tonight. Maybe not the one I wanted, but it was still an important step for us either way.