I slip into a new routine at Scabland Wines, getting used to driving for an hour each day to and from work. After the first couple of weeks my days off switched to weekdays since I have to be available on the weekends to help with events. Labor Day weekend was my first big cluster. We had our biweekly live music night in the on-site tasting room, a large wedding on Saturday, and a smaller one that Sunday. It was stressful, but everything went well, minus a few bridezilla moments. Roger and Max were both on hand that weekend, but let me run the show.
That Wednesday when I came back after a few days off, Roger told me he'd just let me handle all the events from then on. And to let him know if I needed any extra help with anything or ever felt like I was in over my head. It was a nice boost to my confidence to be handed so much responsibility so soon after starting. I enjoy the event planning more than I expected. I was afraid it would pull me away from the business aspect of things, but I'm coordinating with other vendors, managing budgets and people, and exploring how we can exploit the marketing avenues available to draw in more of the type of clients we want. Roger is teaching me everything he handles so that I can cover for him if needed, but my day-to-day work is handling the events, which is getting busier as summer turns into fall and we start planning for the upcoming holiday season.
On Friday afternoon Diana, the on-site tasting room manager, knocks on the door and pokes her head in my office. "Hey, Cate. Can I talk to you a second?"
"Sure. What's up?" I push back from my desk and give her my attention. I'd just gotten in and was going over what I need to get done today.
She comes all the way in my office and lets out an annoyed sigh. "Sarah just went home sick." She shakes her head. "I'm not sure what's going on, but she looked like she was in tears when she left. I don't think it's a physical ailment, though."
I keep my face neutral. Diana and I have gotten to know each other over the last few weeks, and Sarah's one of her problem employees. She knows her wine and does a good job when she works. But that's the problem. She's been out sick more often than not lately. "Okay. Is there something you need me to do?"
"I've called around, and I can't get anyone else to cover her shift. Normally it wouldn't be that big of a deal, but tonight we're open later because it's a live music night." She wrinkles her brow and shakes her head. "I'm surprised Sarah would take off sick tonight if she's not really sick. She's missing out on more money than usual. It's not like her to miss a busy night. I worry about that girl." The last sentence is softer than the rest.
"That does seem strange. What is it that you need me to do? Do you want me to see if the caterer can bring in an extra server to pick up for Sarah?" We use a few different caterers on a rotating basis for these things. Usually they just prep the food and our servers bring it to the patrons unless it's a wedding, then the caterers bring their own servers and our people just handle the wine.
Diana shakes her head. "No. That won't work. The wine is more important than the food tonight. We need someone who knows about wine, or who can learn our wines quickly. An outside server won't be able to handle it."
"Okay." I draw out the word, thinking. "What are you hoping I can do for you?"
She gives me a pointed look. When I review the last thing she said in my mind her meaning becomes clear.
"No. No no no. You can't want me to do that."
"Why not? I know you have serving experience. You mentioned that you were a waitress for a couple years in college."
I groan on the inside, regretting now that I told her that.
"Please, Cate. You'll be here anyway, and we really need the help."
"But I don't know that much about the wines. I've only had a couple of them more than once."
"That's okay. Like I said, we just need someone who can learn fast. If you come now you'll have more than enough time to learn everything you need to know before it starts at six."
Damn. I thought I'd escaped my days as a server. But it's only one night, and they do need the help. And it's part of my job to ensure that all the events go smoothly.
I nod and stand up.
Diana beams at me and takes me by the arm. "Good. You're a lifesaver, you know. I'll give you the smallest section so you don't feel overwhelmed, but we have these things pretty well choreographed on our end, and being down a person throws everyone off. The entire staff will be so grateful you stepped in."
She leads me through the house to the commercial kitchen while I mentally go through what I'd planned to do today. Most of it can wait until next week. I might have to make a few phone calls on my day off, but that's not too bad.
There are several wine glasses set up on the counter and a few wine bottles.
"Who did you manage to con into filling in at—" Max comes around the corner with another bottle in hand and cuts off when he catches sight of me. We've barely done more than exchange greetings in weeks. "Cate."
I take a step back, bumping into Diana, glancing down at my maroon skirt. "Sorry. Um, I don't have the right clothes, so I probably shouldn't do this. I'll just ... go."
Diana's hands come up to steady me as I stumble over my own feet in my attempt to back out of the room, trapping me in this airless space with Max. "What? Nonsense. We keep extra sets of black clothes on hand in case people spill. I'm sure we can find something that'll fit." She looks me over. "Besides, you already have on a black top, we just need a skirt or pants. It'll be fine."
I swallow and nod. I've already told Diana I would do this. They need me. Max is probably just getting wine so Diana can show me what we're offering tonight and let me have a taste of everything. I can feel the weight of his gaze on me, but I can't bring myself to meet his eyes. It's easier to breathe if I don't look at him, the muscles between my ribs don't strain so hard, and my diaphragm remembers how to work.
I step up to the counter in front of the glasses and wine and look to Diana. "Where do we start?"
She gives me a quick smile. "Max here will take you through everything. I need to be out there to help with customers since Sarah's not here. Mark's the only one out there right now, and he's too new to leave on his own for long. Plus, I saw another group of customers pull up on my way to your office. I'll check in with you later." She leans in close, a conspiratorial smile on her lips. "Watch out for this one. He's quite the ladies' man. Just make sure he keeps his hands to himself." With a wink at me and a quick smile at Max, she's gone.
And here I am, alone with Max again. He steps closer to me, almost close enough to brush against me, but I still refuse to look at him, my eyes focused on the counter in front of me, Diana's parting words ringing in my ears. His arm comes up, reaching across me to set the bottle he carries down in the lineup next to the others. I suck in a breath, forcing myself not to move, either closer to him so we touch, or farther away. The barrier that has separated us since my first day has been breached. Now we're magnets, and I'm spinning, unsure if I'll stop so our poles are inexorably drawn together or blown apart, unable to ever touch again. I don't know which one I want.
Max clears his throat and begins to pour the wine, letting me taste each one, a spit bucket at the ready so I don't get drunk at work, and water and light crackers to cleanse my palate between each one. He instructs me on the notes to pay attention to, things to know to be able to make good recommendations to customers, and which wines pair well with the dishes we're serving tonight. His hands are deft, his lips soft and inviting as he sips each glass along with me, his presence both grounding and unsettling as he passes me each glass of wine, his fingers brushing mine each time. I still feel like he's reading me the same way he did that first night, but with his attention diverted by what he's doing and saying it's more bearable. I don't feel the need to hide. I still want to run away, unable to believe he still affects me so deeply after a month with barely any interaction, but I stay and behave like a professional. I have a job to do. I need to learn this so that I can do my job tonight. Max is the owner and the winemaker, making him the best one to teach me, even if I would prefer to have Diana do it. If his avoidance of me is any indication, Max probably feels the same way.
By the time he finishes, my head is spinning from information overload and the overwhelm of Max's focused attention for this long, even buffered by the need to teach me about wine.
"How are you feeling?" He's looking at me now, his eyes heavy and dark. His body starts to lean towards mine, but he stops himself and straightens. He props his hip against the counter and crosses his arms instead.
It's like he can read my mind. "A bit overwhelmed, but I think I've got it. Well enough, anyway." I offer a smile.
He smiles back, his eyes on my lips. "Good. Just grab me or Diana if you need help with anything."
I nod. "I can do that."
He unfolds his arms, his eyes roaming over my face, and takes a step toward me. "Cate, I—"
"How's it going, you two?" Diana pokes her head into the kitchen, interrupting whatever Max was going to say.
I turn to face her and give her my best smile. "Great. We just finished. I think I've got it all okay."
"Good. I knew you were the best choice." Diana steps all the way into the room. "Now we just need to get you something to wear and you can get back to whatever you needed to do today." She checks the time. "We still have about two hours before you'll need to be in the tasting room to help get things ready."
I look over at Max, who has busied himself clearing the glasses and bottles from the counter. He won't look at me, whatever he was going to say now brushed aside. With a mental shrug I let it go and follow Diana out of the room.