Page 5 of Cru's Crush

“What?” Cru asked.

I opened one and glanced at him. “What, what?”

“The sigh.”

“I’m hungry.” It wasn’t a lie, but it was misleading. I was starving for a life, not food.

“So, uh…”

“What?” I said like he had, sitting up.

“Brix and Addy invited us over for dinner tonight.”

“And?”

“Do you want to go?”

I shrugged. “Sure. If you do.” Maybe Brix would know of a vineyard owner in search of an apprentice winemaker.

“Can you wait that long?”

I studied him. “To ask about a job?”

Cru’s forehead furrowed. “I was talking about eating since you said you’re hungry. I didn’t know you were looking for a job. Do you think…?”

“What?” I repeated.

“Are you planning on staying here?”

“If by here you mean at Seahorse, then no. If you mean on the Central Coast, it depends on whether I can find something to do with myself.”

“I thought after…”

“Bloody hell, Cru, finish your sentences.”

“What you went through. I wondered if you’d want to return to Australia.”

I raised a brow. “You do remember the guy I was with was an Aussie, right?” It was stupid of me to think I’d be safe with a stranger, regardless of where he was from. When I thought about what could have happened to me, I shuddered.

“Daph?”

“Sorry. What were you saying?”

“Nothing. It was you who said you wanted to talk to Brix about a job.”

“Seems time I got one, doesn’t it?” I rested against the sofa again and shut my eyes.

“What kind of work do you want to do?”

I opened one like I had before and sighed again. “The kind I doubt exists. At least how I want to do it.”

Cru turned his body toward me. “Wine-making?”

“I know I sound like a spoiled ankle biter, but I want to make my own.”

“Interesting.”

“You’re probably going to suggest I purchase a vineyard, but I’ve looked, and there are none I’d want to take on.”