Page 25 of Cru's Crush

I glared at him. “Iknow. Would you drop it, please?”

“It’s just that?—”

“I was hoping I’d findthe two of you here,” said Alex, taking one of the empty chairs. She looked directly at me. “I was wondering if you’d be interested in managing Stave.”

“She can’t,” Cru answered before I could. It wasn’t the first time it had happened in the last couple of days, and it was starting to annoy me.

“Okay if I speak for myself, or is a second-label winemaker not allowed to talk?”

“Say what?” Alex jumped out of her chair and pulled me up too. “I’m so excited. Second label? That’s fantastic!”

Alex’s enthusiasm was dampened by Cru’s scowl. Even after we sat down, he glowered.

“What the fuck, Enzo?” Alex said under her breath. Apparently, her use of his given name did nothing to diminish hisirritation.

“Would you leave? No one invited you to join us for breakfast.”

“Touchy, touchy. Well, I’m happy for you, Daph. If you decide not to work for the ogre, the job offer remains open.”

Alex got up, but instead of walking out the door, she went into the kitchen.

“I’m sorry,” Cru said as soon as she was gone.

I folded my arms on the table and leaned closer to him. “What is going on? You’ve apologized to me more in the last two days than in all the time I’ve known you.”

“Things are different between us now.”

I shook my head. “Only if we let them be. Look, if you’ve changed your mind about the job, I’ll be disappointed, but I won’t be angry. Same thing with staying in Brix’s house. I can get a place on my own. I’m not strapped for cash, Cru.”

“We’re friends.”

“As we both keep saying, and the best thing we can do is get ourselves back to that. You don’t want to hire me? No problem, we’ll still be friends. You don’twant me living in your house? Again, no problem. We’re friends.”

“Can wepleasejust drop it?”

“Sure.”

“What can I get you for breakfast?” asked a waitress I didn’t recognize.

“I’ll have a side of dry toast, please.”

“Wheat, rye, sourdough, white, pumpernickel, or whole grain?”

“Whole grain, please.”

“Is that all you’re gonna have?” Cru asked.

“I’m not that hungry.”

“How about you, Cru? Should I get your regular order, sugar?” The waitress smiled and winked at him.

“Skip the toast. We’re not staying,” he snapped. At least I wasn’t the only one he was doing it to.

He stood, and I did too.

“Will I see you later, sweetie?” she asked when we were almost out the door.

“I think she’s talking to you,sugar.”