Lost and Found (Growing Pains #1)(89)

“My wife didn’t want to come, and unfortunately for me, she had a better excuse.”

“Had to wash her hair?”

The man laughed a smoker’s huff. He must have smoked for a good few years before he gave it up. He was older, late fifties, but no plastic surgery unlike many of the big-shot execs at this weird fundraiser. This guy was down-to-earth and had the buds of being interesting. He didn’t seem like he belonged. She knew how he felt.

“She claimed she was sick,” he replied, leaning against the bar. “Probably wanted to do a girls’ night.”

“Don’t blame her. I was really stoked about coming because I haven’t been to Napa yet, but I am having a hard time relaxing.”

“I agree with you.”

Krista looked out at the sea of people again and saw Monica making her way over with Sean in tow.

“I should go. Research has a stigma for being anti-social—I don’t want to prove everyone wrong.”

“It was nice speaking with you.”

Krista nodded, desperate to be out of the fearsome duo’s way. Unfortunately, since she was blocked in by rich old geezers and couldn’t sprint away fast enough, she got trapped by slut and sluttier.

Sean was looking at Krista in a penetrating gaze. He didn’t look happy. Monica was looking at her, too, but more in a, “Get lost, this is my man” sort of way that gave Krista the heebie-jeebies.

“Hey guys,” Krista said to the pair. “I was just heading out to...talk to people. It’s a really great party, Monica.”

“Sure Kristie, thanks,” Monica responded, dismissing her and smiling for the man with the smoker’s voice.

Krista hesitated with that little slip. The twit absolutely knew her name! She was being an a-hole on purpose, and Krista got the mad desire to punch her in her face. Fortunately for the clown, Sean was in the way and Krista didn’t want to ruin her dress. Still-- Whore.

“Okay, then…” Krista said, inching away. The man spared her a glance, and then turned back to the bar, ignoring Sean and Monica.

Sean looked miffed.

Krista slowly wandered around, smile always present, and marveled at her surroundings. The winery, in a word, was splendid. It was everything one could imagine from a Napa Valley winery. It was stately and elegant with neatly rounded bushes, walkways clear and pristine, and flowers of all shapes and varieties blooming on the vast expanse of lawn around the grounds.

Boring work-type people were gathered in an outdoor dining area lit with small, twinkling lights. The tables were all dressed with large centerpieces and white table linens. It was like a fairy tale, and if she didn’t know better, she’d think Monica was operating some fervent need to be a princess.

It wasn’t hard to guess who the knight was supposed to be. But where was the dragon?

I better not be the dragon!

When the soft bells tinkled for dinner, Krista nearly bowled over a rotund man. She was famished! The man tried to be cross after he stopped tottering around, but she laughed at herself good-naturedly and made an excuse about young people. He walked away shaking his head. Sean would never invite her to one of these again!

Once in her seat she realized that her mark was across the table behind the elaborate centerpiece. It meant she didn’t have to talk to him. Score!

As the bread was showing up and waiters were refilling her glass of wine, she heard, “Is this seat available?”

Krista looked up. The man from earlier was standing beside the empty seat next to her.

She scanned the table. “I’m not sure. I think it’s assigned seating.”

“Yes. This seat was reserved for Jamie Edwards, who is currently in Omaha.”

“Omaha? What would possess a person to go to Omaha?”

The man sat down, immediately moving his hands so a waiter could pour him a glass of wine. “Work. He’s opening a new branch.”

“Huh.”

“I see that you are in a better mood?” The man took a slice of bread.

Krista passed the butter his way, “I am in a better mood; food’s coming. I was getting really hungry there for a minute,” Krista admitted. “I nearly knocked over some high-dollar guest in my panic for some bread.”

The man laughed. “My name’s Tory, by the way.”

“Krista,” she shook his hand briefly.

“I’m sorry—Krista? I thought I heard Kristie?”

Stupid Monica.

“At the bar you mean?”

He nodded with a full mouth.

“Yeah. That was a little joke.”

Krista hoped she wasn’t wearing her emotions on her sleeve, because if she was, Tory would be wondering if a homicide would happen later that evening.

They sat in silence for a minute before he asked, “You said you’re new to the area?”

Krista tried in a hurry to swallow the mouthful of bread she’d just stuck in her mouth. “Yeff.”

She took a gulp of wine with a smile. “Sorry…yes. I’m from Seattle. I’ve lived in San Francisco for a while, but this is my first time to Napa.”

“And you said you were a researcher? Are you long out of college?”

“I am a researcher, yes. And no, not too long. This is my first real job.”

“What was your major?”