Page 86 of Cru's Crush

While his speech wasn’t one hundred percent, he was perfectly capable of arguing with me, which he did on a daily basis.

Every morning over coffee, the first thing he’d say after “good morning” was that it was time for me to return to California. I’d respond that I’d leave when and if I wanted to, but for now, I planned to remain in Perth until he was able to return to his position as CEO.

By the end of breakfast, he would’ve said I had neither the experience nor the education to run “his” business, after which I’d remind him he’d only gotten a bachelor’s degree, whereas I had a master’s.

That he also felt the need to remind me that my passion was for making wine, not selling it, only worsened the ache in my chest.

All the while, my mum would shake her head and laugh at the two of us.

I never returned to my childhood bedroom after Cru left. Instead, I stayed in the other of the two guesthouses. I couldn’t bear to set foot in the one he and I had briefly shared.

I was desperate to know how the harvest was going at Los Cab, but I’d not contact anyone and ask. I hadn’t heard a single word from Cru since the day he left and didn’t want it to get back to him that I’d been in contact with his family or employees.

If anyone, including my father, had asked if I was enjoying my life, which mainly revolved around Cullen House, I would’ve had to lie or admit I hated nearly every minute of it. Some might say that, in itself, would be reason enough to return to the States, but until I fulfilled the promise I’d made to myself to stick it out until the turmoil with the board was over and Steve Dorian was booted out on his ear, I was staying put.

“Daphne? May I interrupt you?” my mother asked when she found me sitting in the sunroom reading something on my laptop.

“Of course. What is it, Mum?”

“You have a visitor. That’s to say, we have visitors. Many, in fact.”

I rested against the cushion of my chair and studied her. “What do you mean?”

“Well, to begin, Beau Barrett is on his way here to see you.”

My heart sank. For the briefest of moments, I hoped she’d say Cru had returned. “And the others?”

“It seems the entirety of Los Caballeros has arrived in Perth.”

I was even more confused. My brow furrowed, and I shook my head. “I’m not following.”

“I’ll explain,” said Beau. He leaned in and kissed my mother’s cheek. “Good to see you, Beatrice,” he said.

The two embraced, then my mum left the room.

“This is some greeting,” he said when I remained seated with my arms folded.

“I’m mad at you.”

He knelt down and nudged me. “That’s nothing new.”

“Why are you here, Beau?”

“Press and I flew the Viejos here.”

I rubbed my temples with my index fingers. “I feel a migraine coming on. Wait, it’s already here.” I nudged him back.

“It’s time you learned about what, or who, Los Caballeros is outside of the estate and winery.”

I set my laptop aside and stood. “I’m not interested.”

“Hmm. Well, then, I suppose you’ll have to leave.”

“Argh.” I clenched my fists at my sides. “If anyone is vacating the premises, it’s you.”

“Eventually, I will, but not until I tell you everything I came to say.”

“This is a nightmare. There’s no other explanation.”