Page 32

Quinn has set up a selection of wines carefully on a table in front of us.
I observe her as she works, noticing the way her face changes as she focuses on getting everything just right. She is clearly in her element, and I understand how this is a passion for her, as her excitement rubs off on me too.
“Just be yourself.” She smiles. “You’ll do great.”
“No tips from Miss Influencer herself?”
“You don’t need them. As far I can tell, you have a great camera presence as is.”
She slides down next to me and presses the button to go live.
“Guys, I have an amazing guest for you here today. Mr. Enzo Marchetti, the owner of Valentina Vineyard himself. I thought we could have a conversation for you guys here and try some of his product live.”
She has such a bubbly way she is conducting herself that it is hard to ignore.
“Hey, everyone.” I wave into the camera. This is all new to me, but she does a great job at not making me feel out of place.
“The man himself.” Quinn grins. “My audience is itching to know all about your story. You have to take us back to the beginning—what drove to this profession?”
I hesitate for a moment. Usually, I’d have no trouble bringing up Valentina, my wife. But given what had happened between Quinn and me…
“I fell in love with it with a passion. It’s been a singular obsession for me for many years now.”
“Oh, I can see that. The proof is the product. We need to sample some for our audience,” Quinn pours some wine into the glasses for both of us.
We clink our glasses together and take a sip, and she hums.
“Absolutely delicious. I wish you guys could taste this right now.”
With the way she’s acting, you’d think that this is the most divine thing she’s ever tried, and I realize how good this could be for our brand.
“Oh, we have some questions coming in already.” She smiles. “Clark from Ohio wants to know where he can get this in America.”
“We have a few exclusive contracts that are about to expire, so we’ll be expanding to a few select retail stores very soon. When we do, you’ll be the first to know.”
Conversation flows easily.
Interviews were never really my forte, but Quinn makes it effortless. At one point, a lock of her hair falls down in front of her face, and I make to reach out to tuck it away before I realize we still have an audience.
Something about being around her just makes me forget everything else—work, my troubles, anything that wears me down.
She has an incredible lightness to her that rubs off on everything around her.
“So, tell me, Mr. Marchetti…”
My eyes dive into hers.
Her eyes are on mine, and she is silent for a second.
“Yes?” I never tear my gaze from hers. I could lose myself in there. In her.
“Um, I don’t remember what my next question was.”
A laugh escapes my lips, and I wink at her before I remember we are still live.
She flushes and focuses her attention on the questions coming in.
“Apparently, the audience doesn’t want us to end this live.” She bites down on her lip, “You’ve been a real hit, Mr. Marchetti.”