Page 8 of Cru's Crush

His head cocked. “Why?”

“Err, I don’t know. Maybe there’s someone special in your life who might get the wrong idea about me going with you.”

“Everyone knows we’re friends,” he snapped, turning away from me to look around the crowded room. “Would you excuse me for a minute? I see someone I need to speak with.”

“Of course,” I said, staring into my glass, knowing my flush of embarrassment had traveled up my neck to my cheeks. Thankfully, he was too focused on whoever he had to talk to that he wasn’t paying the slightest bit of attention to me.

I turned the stool slightly to see where he went. “Who’s that?” I asked when Alex returned.

“You mean the guy Cru is talking to?”

“Yes.”

She fanned her face. “Muy caliente, right?”

I nodded.

“That’s Anthony Ricci. I’m surprised you haven’t met him. I’m sorry to say he’s happily taken, though, by another winemaker.” She wriggled her brows.

I watched as the two men talked, both laughing at something Cru said. When Anthony reached up as if to touch him, I quickly turned away. It was bad enough thinking about the two men together. I didn’t need to see it.

“Are you okay?” Alex asked again. This time, her eyes bored into mine.

“Yeah. Just feeling sorry for myself. More so, knowing Anthony’s taken.” I winked and smiled, hoping she bought it.

“There are a few other, single, heterosexual guys here tonight. I’d be happy to make an introduction if any of them interest you.”

“Daphne has plans tonight. She’s having dinner with me.”

My eyes opened wide because I hadn’t heard Cru return. Alex’s did too, probably more from his tone of voice.

She looked from her brother to me. “Daphne, are you leaving town anytime soon?”

“She isn’t,” Cru snapped.

Alex put her hand on her hip. “I was talking to Daphne, who I know can speak for herself since she just asked me if Anthony Ricci was available.”

I choked on the wine I’d just sipped.

“Are you okay?” Cru asked, patting me on the back.

“I’m fine,” I said, grabbing a bar napkin to wipe my mouth. “Just tired of people asking me that,” I added under my breath.

“Anyway, what I was going to say is, just because Daphne is having dinner with you this evening, it doesn’t mean she can’t do the same with someone else tomorrow night.”

Cru glared at her. “Knock it off, Al.”

She shrugged at him, then looked at me. “Did you decide on something to eat?”

I turned the menu that was face down over and pointed. “That.” I took a closer look. “Spanish,err, octopus.”

Alex made a face. “Really?”

“If it isn’t good, why is it on your menu?”

“You’re right. It’s fabulous. Cru, what about you?”

“Bring us an order of roasted beets and beef tartare.”