The Winemaker's Dinner: Entrée (35 page)

“You didn’t answer my question, man. Was she worth it?”

He shoved his hands into the shallow pockets of his jacket, rocked on his heels, and dropped his head. As his hand brushed the rounded edges of the black box, he realized he hadn’t answered that question for himself, let alone this guy. He pulled out the box and held it in the palm of his hand.

Images of vineyards and mountains, cabins and beaches, airports and balconies, parties and kitchens played out like a movie in his mind and ended with the face of the woman who’d taught him that real love is a privilege only a few ever enjoy. How long it lasts is inconsequential. It’s what you do with the time when this feeling is shared that makes it special.

He closed his hand around the box, closed his eyes, and asked himself one last time
. Was she worth this heart-wrenching emptiness?
Exhaling his decision, he turned to the man and smiled. He tossed him the box that once had contained a commitment and now held just a ring.

“Yeah, man, she was. Love…love
is
worth the fall.”

“Love is Worth the Fall”

T
HE
S
MELL
O
F
T
HE
L
OS
A
NGELES
A
IRPORT
hit her like a wall as she stepped off the overcrowded plane. Her eyes, rubbed raw from nonstop crying the night before, now hid behind a pair of oversized Jackie O sunglasses she’d borrowed from Tasha. Looking down at herself in the clothes she’d also borrowed from Tasha, Jaden felt ugly. Not because of what she was wearing—she didn’t care about that. The ugliness she felt came from the inside out. Everything was a mess, and it was all her fault.

Thank God for Tasha,
she thought and remained amazed by the fact that her friend hadn’t asked one question or made any accusations as she consoled her throughout the night. She was lucky to have her.

As she made her way through the terminal, she dodged the early morning buzz of tourists scurrying about getting ready for their flights. Their happy faces rubbed salt in the gaping wound she’d inflicted on herself less than twelve hours ago. She wished she could go back to the time when she and Ivan had traveled with similar looks on their faces. At the thought of their trip to visit his family in Meadville, instinct and emotion dictated more crying, but she couldn’t. She had no more tears to cry.

As the exit doors parted, the mellow warmth of California greeted her, followed quickly by the smell of exhaust and the sounds of horns and buses, which beat down on her already cluttered mind. She felt guilty as hell asking Adam to drive her on a day she knew he reserved for his family, but she also knew he’d help her if he could. Her knotted stomach and killer headache only amped up her anxiety. At least now she wouldn’t have to do this on her own.

Today she would face her most colossal mistake. She would look into the eyes of her real-life demon and get the answer to a question she wished she didn’t have to ask. She’d given up the love of her life because of an indiscretion she couldn’t recall, and suddenly, immediately, she needed the truth. She owed it to herself, and she owed it to Ivan.

“Where the hell is he? He’s always right here,” she muttered seconds before Adam’s familiar town car swung to a stop at the curb.

He came running around the car to make sure she got in all right, but instead of sliding in, she collapsed against his shoulders. “Thank you, Adam, for picking me up. I’m so sorry to have called but—”

“Jaden, stop. You’ve been nothing but kind since the day I met you, and I consider you family. Of course I want to help.”

Even in the fog of emotion, she noticed he’d called her by her first name. She wiped away her tears with a quick hand and managed a smile.

“Now, let’s get you home and—”

“No. No!” She pushed away from his guiding hand, leaving him a bit flustered. “No, I don’t want to go home. I want you to take me to
his
house right now.” A seed of anger began to flourish inside her.

“To…to Mr. Damian’s?” Adam asked, his eyes searching hers.

“Yes,” she said through gritted teeth.

“Yes, ma’am.” He nodded and moved to the driver’s seat.

As she settled into the backseat, she could feel the adrenaline building. The image of Ivan’s face when she’d refused him no longer evoked tears, but a rage focused on Damian. Whatever had happened, she hadn’t done it alone, and the emotions she’d spent weeks fighting now forced her into action. No more hiding and avoiding. She was ready to fight.

She’s got to find out
exactly what happened.

This guy
ruined her life.

This guy
ruined Ivan’s life.

This guy
ruined their love.

He took
advantage of her.

He took
advantage of
the situation.

Look at
what she’s lost.

If what he said
before was true, why
doesn’t she remember?

She can’t leave
till she gets an answer.