You Had Me at Merlot [ Chaennie ]

Chapter 7: Blindsided

Jennie was five minutes late to work that next morning, but she didn't care in the slightest. She'd practically floated her way from the train to Bordeauxnuts and now hummed to herself as she prepped the point-of-sale station for opening. She was on a high from her night with Roseanne and enjoying every second of it. Nothing could smother her mood, not even if Rude Latte Face showed up and demanded they make his drink three times until he approved.

"You're humming," Leo stated, stroking his chin in thought.

"I am doing that. You're right. Strange." She sent him a sweet grin.

He continued to study her. "You're also moving with big gestures and smiling a lot."

She lifted a shoulder. "So I am. Interesting." She was being playful and reveling in it.

"I'm gonna guess somebody here got laid, and it wasn't me."

"Ding, ding, ding!" Jennie said and placed a finger on her nose. She scrunched her shoulders. "And I owe it all to you and your advice. I took control. I made the first move, and the end result was"—she stretched her arms and fingers, searching for the perfect descriptor—"like skydiving with a tub of amazing buttered popcorn."

He laughed. "And since we know you love both of those things, it was a fucking good night."

"Fucking good," she said loudly, mirroring his Leo voice. "I'm gonna ask your advice about everything from now on. What do I want for lunch, Leo? Should I get a dog, Leo? You better gear up."

He cracked his knuckles and grinned. "Gotta say. She looks good on you, Jen. This woman."

"Thank you. I think so, too."

The morning catapulted them to a busy start that kept Jennie on her toes. She was in her groove, though, and bonding with each and every human placed in front of her. These were the kinds of mornings she lived for in the bar. When Clarissa showed up during her midmorning break, she pulled her aside and gave her all the details.

"This is so unreal and perfect. No one deserves a huge dose of happiness more than you, Jennie."

"Thank you. I mean, this feels so shockingly right. No other person I've been with has fit quite so well with my personality, my life, what it is that I'm looking for."

"Sounds like she might be the one," Genevieve said, eavesdropping as always.

Jennie laughed. "I'm not going to go all the way there yet, but the thought has crossed my mind."

"Have you daydreamed about your future life together?" Jisoo asked, pencil to her chin.

"Yes," Jennie said matter-of-factly.

"That's serious, then."

"I concur," Nate said. "You're very different. Jolly, even. I like this."

Jennie slid into a chair and offered what felt like a dopey grin. "Yes, it feels serious, Jisoo. And thank you, Nate." She addressed the small group. "We talked last night about vacation spots and maybe taking one together this summer. I suggested an all-inclusive in Jamaica, and Roseanne knows a great travel agent she's going to check in with if we ever do decide to jet away."

"Oh, can you imagine the photos?" Marjorie said, hand to heart.

Clarissa nodded. "You two would be gorgeous against those crystal clear waters."

Jennie stood. "Stop. You're making me want to head there with her now." She added a laugh. "I'm probably ahead of myself, but it feels really, really good."

"And you deserve it," Jisoo called after her as she headed to the counter, ready to take on the rest of the morning. Everything seemed so much more exciting now. Each interaction, each decision, each plan she made had more meaning. For the first time in a while, she also didn't feel alone. There was somebody out there thinking about her in the same way she was thinking about them, and that made her feel not just happy, but important.

"What can I make for you?" Jennie asked her next customer. "It's a great day, today."

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When Roseanne arrived on the fourteenth floor of Livingston's Corporate, she placed a breakfast burrito on Ashley's desk just as she swiveled to Roseanne's side of her L-shaped desk.

"Egg and bacon one for you. I already ate mine. Also, I found those fizzing bath bombs you told me about online. Planning to order." She purposefully didn't mention her amazing night with Jennie or the fact that she still hadn't confessed. Ashley would have a hard time understanding, and she wasn't sure how to explain it herself.

"Thank you for breakfast. We have an exciting development."

Roseanne paused mid stroll to her office and returned. "What's that?"

"Well, you're famous today. See the Times?"

"No. I know they were doing an article on Courtney and succession. Is this the profile piece?"

"It is, and guess who makes a decent sized cameo?"

"Me?" She paused "That's weird. They didn't call for a quote. Nothing." Then an awful feeling hit and spread like a flu. "Do you have a copy?" She didn't have the fortitude or clarity of mind to run an internet search. Not when she was in a full-blown panic. What if the article outed her as a Livingston's employee and fell into Jennie's hands? She'd landed upon the strongest connection she'd ever had with another person in her whole life. She couldn't miss the chance to explain things to Jennie personally and save the relationship. This could really be bad.