Page 12 of Talk Vino To Me
Olivia and I say our goodbyes. I want to stay and listen to him, but we’ve got a lot to do today. I’m hoping to get my exercise in before the weather turns hot.
I tuck the phone away and stretch for a few minutes. The view here is so magnificent. All this gorgeous foliage, in shades of green and brown... it soothes my soul in a way I didn’t expect. I’m going to miss it when I return to my condo in the Pearl.
My phone rings again, and I laugh out loud. That’s Liv. She has such a habit of remembering “just one more thing” after we’ve spoken.
“Okay, boss lady, what’s the one more thing?”
“Daisy? It’s me.”
Shit. Shit shit shit. What was I thinking? I never just answer the phone — and this is the reason why.
“Daisy?” He still sounds someone took a file to his vocal cords, even though I know he gave up the cigarettes years ago. Frankly, I think it’s a miracle he’s still got vocal folds at all.
“Roger,” I grit out. “What can I do for you?”
“Aww, Daisy G,” he wheedles. “Come on. Don’t be like that. Do I have to want something to talk to my beautiful girl?”
“I don’t have time for this game. You only call when you want something. What is it?”
He sighs, like the weight of the world is on his shoulders. I roll my eyes. He needs to get to the point already.
“Your mother tells me you’re working with Courage these days.”
Meaning he’s following Mom on social media, and he correctly interpreted her cryptic post about my new assignment. I know that’s what happened, because she’s only allowed to post about me after I’ve approved the wording.
“Something like that,” I confirm. He gets as little information as possible. “What about it?”
“What about —” he laughs, like I’ve said something hilarious. “Baby, it’s Courage. They’re still huge. People love them.”
“I know.” It’s my job to know. Unlike him, I keep track of the things that matter to me.
“So you know I’m opening the bar in a few months.”
“I can’t get you a discount on the wine.” Unclench the jaw, I tell myself. Straighten the spine. Breathe normally. You’re fine. You can survive this.
Roger laughs, like I’m the funniest person ever. “That’s not what I’m looking for.”
“Then what is it? I have things to do.”
“I need a real splash for the opening night. Having Courage playing for it would bring in tons of people and incredible publicity —”
“I’m hanging up now.”
“Come on, baby girl. Don’t do me like this.”
“You are the most delusional human I’ve ever, ever dealt with in my entire life. Why would I — you know what? No. I’m not doing this with you.”
“I’m not asking for the moon —”
“This is my job we’re talking about. My literal job. I am not going to risk my livelihood for your insane fantasy.”
“You won’t even have to ask. Let me do it. Just get me in front of him.”
“Goodbye, Roger. Please don’t call again. Not about this.” I disconnect the line and try to will myself back into a state of calm, but it’s useless. Damn him. He’s bold as brass and his head’s twice as hard. I curse until the air is practically blue. It doesn’t help.
“Ouch. That’s the first time I’ve seen you be anything other than a pure ray of sunshine.”
“Ahh!” I cover my mouth to stifle the scream that automatically erupts from me at the sound of his voice. Ian’s eyebrows shoot upward, but he doesn’t flinch. I’m impressed. Most people find that my level of freaking out freaks them out.