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Baby for my Daddy's Best Friend

How do I explain to my dad that his best friend got me pregnant?

One month in Tuscany. A little too much wine. A man twice my age.

Enzo Marchetti is the one man I shouldn't crave.

A brooding single dad of three, whose sole focus is his company, the Valentina Vineyard.

So when he invites influencers around the world to promote his vineyard,

I couldn’t resist.

We connect instantly despite our broken pasts.

From travelling the countryside to the steamy nights of tasting more than just wine,

I find the beauty in life again.

But when our relationship goes viral on social media, rumors and scandal swirl.

The internet explodes, labelling me a gold digger.

While his vineyard starts to receive unwanted attention.

Putting his legacy and my career at risk.

And when my father discovers the surprise I’m carrying belongs to his best friend,

I’ll be booking a one-way ticket back to the States.

But what happens on vacation doesn’t always stay there – it follows you all the way back home.

Chapter One

“ Living la dolce vita .” A laugh escapes my lips as I pan my camera across the gorgeous Tuscan landscape, replete with rolling hills and sprawling cypress trees. “And of course, no trip to Italy is complete without indulging in some wine.”

I take a sip from my glass, enjoying the fresh, earthy treat sliding down my throat. “Absolutely divine. You guys need to try this. I’ll leave the details in the caption.”

I cut the video off just before Lilly steps into the frame. She can hardly keep a straight face as she sees me struggling to balance my camera alongside my glass.

“Life of an influencer, uh?” She barks a laugh. “Here. Let me get that for you.”

I lend my voice my influencer-perky tone. “Hey, it’s all part of the job.” Then I let my usual voice come out. “I need to get this story up ASAP.”

At twenty-eight, I’ve established a decent online presence recording my passion as a wine sommelier. Being an influencer isn’t exactly a normal career as my work doesn’t end when the clock struck 5 P.M.

Truthfully, work never ends. But I’d be lying if I didn’t say it has its fair share of perks…

Like getting flown out for an all-expense paid trip to San Gimignano in the heart of Tuscany, famous for its vineyards and wine tourism.

It’s exactly the kind of escape I needed. The slow, languid Tuscan life is a total contrast to my personal life, which was recently wrecked with devastation.

My chest tightens, and I scroll over to my messages to see if Liam has made any attempts to contact me since I landed. Not that we talk much, now that I signed the divorce papers, but still.

“Quinn, get off your phone.” Lilly nudges me softly on the shoulder. “You’re here now. It’s time to live in the moment.”

Typical Lilly. I smile.

She’s always true to herself, I have to give her that.

I stash my phone away.

Lilly found her fame online with her yoga and mindfulness content.

“Lovely.” She grins and then leans forward as she looks around almost as if to check no one is listening in on our conversation. “You know, I’ve heard that the owner is a real hunk. He’s supposed to make an appearance here, and some of the girls already have plans ready to impress him.”

“A hunk?” I snort, amused.

“Yeah, real easy on the eyes. I googled him before arriving, and I have to say, if I didn’t have Peter waiting at home for me, I’d be pretty tempted too. Maybe you should try your luck.”

I shake my head, laughing at the ridiculousness of her words. It's been a while since I’ve been back on the dating scene, as Liam and I were together for the better part of my twenties. Now that I’m single again, though…

“I’m here for work,” I immediately state before I can get ahead of myself. “Mixing business with pleasure isn’t really my thing.”

“Even when the business looks like that?” Lilly grins, pointing to the doorway.

All heads turn toward the doorway.

Enzo Marchetti, the owner of the vineyard and the sponsor behind the event, has finally arrived.

“He sure knows how to make an entrance.” I laugh.

I haven’t gotten a chance to see him yet as he’s immediately crowded by a group of girls batting their lashes at him just for a chance to speak to him. If you didn’t know any better, you’d assume he’s some sort of a celebrity.

“I told you. The hype is real,” Lilly muses.

“Mhm.” My hand glides through my hair. Curiosity burns inside of me, but I’m not starry-eyed like the rest. “I think I’ll help myself to another glass of wine.”

I make my way away from the crowd to the wine-tasting table. Since everyone is paying attention to the man of the hour, might as well make the best of it and test out some more of the product.

Even though I’m paid to attend the event, my reviews are always authentic.

“What would you like to try, madam?” the waiter offers me a menu.

My eyes sparkle as I begin to go over the list. They have an impressive selection, and my inner wine enthusiast is salivating.

“I’ll take a glass of Vernaccia.” I hand back the menu, leaning against the table.

“Excellent choice,” a deep voice says from behind me, making me jump.

A pair of dark brown eyes meet mine, and he extends his hand to shake mine. “Enzo.”

I’m struck by how handsome he is. His dark hair frames his chiseled face perfectly, and he has an air of confidence that compliments his looks.

I immediately understand the hype.

A warm smile dances at the corner of his lips.

“Quinn,” I croak, clearing my throat as the waiter hands me the glass of wine I’d just ordered.

“Go on, then,” he urges, his gaze never leaving mine. “I saw that you were the only one here by the table, testing out the wine. I’d love to know what you think.”

Of course, he’d noticed me because I hadn’t immediately flocked over to him as soon as he entered the room. Is that because he craves the attention or is he seriously just focusing on my tasting his wine?

I swirl the red liquid in my glass before finally taking a sip.

Heat floods my cheeks, but I’m not sure if it’s the wine that is causing me to blush or his presence.

“Very smooth.” Again, I’m not sure if I’m talking about the wine or him. “It’s been aged, the flavor profile is quite exquisite. I know that this particular wine is difficult to nail, but yours might be the best I’ve ever tasted.”

With how intently he is listening to me, it is clear that he takes his craft seriously.

As I take another sip, his eyes flicker briefly to my lips.

“That’s quite the endorsement, Ms. Quinn.” He gestures for the waiter to get him a glass of his own. “You seem to know a thing or two about aged wines.”

“Occupational hazard.” I laugh. “It’s all I know, really. Tasting wines and reviewing them is what I do for work.”

“Refreshing. I had my assistant pick out a list of people to come to this event. But I was worried that most people would be more into the lifestyle than they are into the craft.”

“Well, most of the girls here are lifestyle influencers.” I chuckle, glancing around the room. “And they’re fantastic at what they do. Besides, with all the people that follow them, I’m sure that you’ll get a nice endorsement on their socials by the end of it.”

“That’s what my marketing team told me. People buy things that pretty girls endorse.” He cocks his head. “But I think it’s much better when the girl is both pretty and knows a thing or two about wine.”

My cheeks burn at the comment, and I tear my gaze away from him.

It’s been a while since anyone has given me attention like this.

“Ah but you see, Mr. Marchetti, flattery isn’t going to help you get the endorsement on my socials.”

His eyes widen slightly at the comment, and even I’m surprised by my own playfulness.

There’s just something about our interaction, and I cannot help myself.

“Oh, it’s not the endorsement that I’m after.” He smirks, taking a sip from his glass.

There is no ring on his finger.

Is he single?

Why am I even looking at that?

The slight salt and pepper coloring his thick head of hair tells me he’s a bit older than the usual bachelor. In his forties, at least.

But somehow, that makes him even more attractive. As if he’s more seasoned than the guys my age.

“Well, I’m sure you have quite a lot of options as it is,” I tease, gesturing to the other girls in the room. “I was just thinking, I didn’t know anything about you. I’d have assumed you’re a celebrity with how the girls were reacting to you.”

He shrugs, as though he is used to this sort of reception wherever he goes. “There’s always more to a person than what meets the eye. Besides, don’t you like it when there’s a bit of mystery?”

Our gaze meets again, and I find myself growing flustered.

It surprises me that I’m having this kind of reaction to a man I barely know.

I clear my throat and remind myself that I am here strictly for business. “Thanks for the wine, though. It’s delicious.”

“My pleasure.” He nods, before turning away to speak to some of the girls that have been waiting for him.

I take his lack of goodbye as a promise that we will maybe cross paths again this evening.

Some of the other influencers glare in my direction. It’s not my fault he came to me.

I take my glass and walk over to the edge of the pond again, stealing one last glance in his direction.

Even though he’s talking to a group of influencers now, he meets my gaze, and his face lights up with another one of his disarming smiles.

God, I should take another drink.

“You’re all smiles.” Lilly eyes me suspiciously as I walk over to her with a fresh glass of wine.

“It’s the alcohol.” I laugh, but the truth is I’m all giddy from my interaction with Enzo.

Sure, nothing can come out of it. It would be completely unprofessional to even consider the possibility. But after a tough year dealing with a broken relationship, feeling attracted to someone new has me filled with a new kind of hope.

Maybe life doesn’t have to end when you get a divorce after all.

I take another sip from my glass as I soak in the view in front of me.

The sun is beginning to set now, and the sky is a glorious hue of orange.

Normally, I’d scramble to get the perfect shot on my phone so I could display it to my followers and share the moment. But right now, I’m perfectly content with just enjoying it on my own.

I lose track of how long I’m standing there, just enjoying my wine and my solitude, taking in the amazing landscape. I wander over to the pond, hoping to catch the view of the sunset reflected in the water.

Contentment floods me as the world around me fades until a faint movement behind me jolts me back to the present.

Enzo.

“You need to stop sneaking up on me like that.” I laugh.

He clinks his glass to mine.

“A sunset this gorgeous shouldn’t be enjoyed alone.”

As I move over to allow him space to join me, our hands touch for a brief moment, and a jolt of electricity goes through me. My face heats once again, and Enzo smirks at me.

There is no way he doesn’t know the effect he’s having on me. And what’s worse, he seems to be enjoying it.

“I have to ask. With a product like yours, I can’t imagine why you would need any sort of promotion. Surely, it speaks for itself. So, why arrange all this?”

Still feeling the tingles on my skin from when we touched, it’s best to keep the conversation strictly related to business.

He looks at me before looking back at the sun setting over the lake. “We’re looking to expand on an international market. We dominate the local one, quite frankly.”

“Dominate.” I raise an eyebrow. “That’s quite the word choice.”

“It’s the truth. There are a few rival wine producers in the region, but by far, ours is the best.”

“I’m quite aware of wines themselves, but I’d love to know more about the business side of—”

A noise comes from behind us, making us turn.

A tall man makes his way to us, stumbling forward.

“Having a party without me, Enzo?” he slurs as his eyes land on the two of us.

Who is this man?

This does not look good.