Corked by Cabernet Read Online Free Page B

accept. Call the florist and apologize.”
    “I brought you a Diet Coke, too. Could you call them? You’re so good with people.”
    “Call the florist,” Nikki ordered.
    He jutted out his lower lip. “Okay.”
    She tried to eat the burrito, which was usually her absolute favorite, but there was no way. Her stomach was tied up in knots because she knew guests would be arriving in less than an hour and the numerous problems hadn’t ceased. The wrong wine had been pulled from the warehouse for the guests’ arrival. The towel delivery service claimed the spa wasn’t scheduled for that day. And instead of oyster mushrooms being delivered from their distributor, shiitakes had arrived and the chef was having a fit over being stuck with the apparently unsuitable mushrooms.
    Derek popped in to check on things. He’d been wrapping up the business with the unhappy clients and needed to get his things packed to leave that evening. He put his arms around her waist. “How’s it going?”
    She frowned. “A little bit stressful, but I’m handling it.”
    “You always do.” He looked around. No one was in the lobby, so he kissed her. Everyone who worked at Malveaux knew they were an item, but they still needed to keep things professional while at work. Not always easy. “You look beautiful today. I’m sorry that I won’t be here to help you out more.”
    After his kiss and compliment, she had no complaints. “You’re forgiven.”
    He kissed her again.
    They were interrupted by someone clearing their throat. Pulling away from each other, Nikki felt her cheeks blush. She immediately put on her best Vanna White smile and an “Oh yes, Napa Valley truly is heaven on earth attitude.”
    She wished she were still kissing Derek as a squatty middle-aged woman who looked like she’d sucked on a few lemons in her life stared at them. “I’m Rose Pearlman. My husband . . .” She turned around. “Rube! Ruben! Oh God. Where is he? I told him to leave the bags in the rental car and that someone would get them.” She gave Derek a once-over. “Do you think you could do that? Go see if my husband is out front with the bags. Or are you too busy with your girlfriend here?” She clucked her tongue and shook her head. “I wonder what your boss would say if he knew what you two were up to.”
    He smiled. “Yeah, I suppose that could be a problem. I’m sorry about that, Mrs. Pearlman. I’ll go check on your husband.”
    “Thank you.”
    Nikki was holding back her laughter. If the lady only knew.
    She turned back toward Nikki with a narrowing of her eyes. “You do wash your sheets and towels with lavender essential oils, right? And they are organic? That’s what your website said.”
    “Yes we do. Absolutely,” Nikki replied.
    “Uh-huh, well, I called two days ago, and I requested that my husband and my sheets and towels be washed in rosewater . Ruben doesn’t care for lavender.”
    Nikki didn’t skip a beat. “I remember your request, Mrs. Pearlman.” In reality, she had no recollection of the woman’s call. “I’m certain you’ll be pleased to know that the staff has taken care of it.”
    “Wait a minute, I don’t mind lavender at all. I like all scents. Come on, Rosie,” a gray-haired gentleman with one honker of a nose and nice blue eyes—obviously the Mr. to the Mrs.—said as he smacked his wife on her rear.
    Derek came back inside with two suitcases in hand.
    “That’s not all my bags,” Mrs. Pearlman said.
    Derek nodded. “Yes, ma’am, I’m aware. I need to get a roller for the bags.”
    “Rose, quit giving these kids a hard time.”
    Kids? Nikki liked the sound of that. At thirty-seven, she hardly thought of herself as a kid any longer.
    Rose’s eyes bugged out. “Ruben. Go sit down. Weren’t you going to check out the place?”
    “I was waiting for you, dear. Look, they have appetizers set out already. This is wonderful. I tell you, when Alan Sansi puts something together, it’s always first