Wine tasting wasn’t new to Alex. He’d had plenty of invitations from wineries who were hoping to add their wine to the restaurant’s shelf. These events were always the same, a bunch of arrogant idiots who knew a lot about wine, and a bunch who were pretending to. Wine wasn’t his first choice of alcoholic beverage but it was up there and he knew his way around it.

Unlike most of the wine tasting events Alex had attended at the actual wineries, they held this one at a wine club. The entire place was reserved exclusively for this event. Valerie gasped as they walked up the entrance stairs.

Alex glanced at her then around at the people entering the club. “What’s wrong?”

“He didn’t tell me it was a black tie event.”

Alex let out a breath of relief. Most of the men were in tuxedos and the women in lavish evening gowns. He shrugged. None of them held a candle to Valerie. “You look beautiful, regardless.”

The place was already crowded as they walked in. Alex scanned the parking lot and now scanned the people at the event. He couldn’t care less about what he wore. The only thing on his mind was keeping Valerie safe.

His comment didn’t seem to change Valerie’s concern about being underdressed, though she didn’t let it slow her down. They’d only been there a few minutes, and she’d already worked her way through a good part of the crowd. After Valerie introducing Alex as “a friend of mine,” several times, Alex leaned over touching her arm and asked, “Why do you keep introducing me as your friend?”

She turned to look at him a bit surprised. “How would you like me to introduce you?”

Alex smiled. “Your fiancé?”

“But we’re not engaged,” she whispered.

“Minor detail.” He frowned, “And why are you whispering?”

Just as the corner of her lips began to raise an older woman in a black velvet gown interrupted them. “Valerie, I thought it was you. How’ve you been, little lady?”

Valerie’s eyes shot open and she immediately went to hug the woman. “Bernadette! Oh, my gosh. It’s been forever.”

They caught up quickly, and then Valerie turned back to Alex. “Alex I’d like you to meet Bernadette. She used to baby sit me when I was a little girl.”

Alex smiled leaning over to shake Bernadette’s hand.

“Bernadette, this is Alex.” Valerie glanced at Alex. “My boyfriend.”

Only then did Alex realize he’d never been introduced as anybody’s boyfriend in his life. It was a little weird but he liked it, especially hearing Valerie say it.

After the introduction, Bernadette turned to Valerie again. “How’s your father doing? I heard he was in the hospital not too long ago.”

“He’s better,” Valerie smiled. “It’s been over six months now since he got out of the hospital. We had quite a scare. He just has to watch his diet closely. His blood pressure is really touch and go.”

Bernadette shook her head. “Oh, yeah, Valerie. He really needs to watch that. Hypertension is no joke.”

Valerie talked to Bernadette for a few more minutes before Bernadette excused herself to get back to her sister, who’d she’d come with. Alex hadn’t taken his eyes off of Valerie the entire time she’d spoke with Bernadette. He saw the usual tenderness in her eyes as she spoke of her dad. There was no doubt how close she was to her father. It bothered him now that he hadn’t been there for her.

“I didn’t know your dad had been in the hospital.”

Valerie tilted her head. “A lot happens in a year, Alex. It’ll probably be a while before we get all caught up.”

Alex thought about that for a moment. He wanted to tell her how sorry he was that he wasn’t there for her, but they were interrupted again. The interruption this time wasn’t as welcome as Bernadette’s.

“I’m glad you made it.” Luke wore a tuxedo, and sloppy grin.

Alex refrained from frowning. Valerie stood her ground, appearing as unfazed as ever. “Thanks for telling me it was black tie.”

Luke glanced down at her clothes. “I’m sorry, hon. I thought you’d know.” His eyes averted to Alex who took a sip of his wine. “Sorry there’s no beer, Champ. But then we wouldn’t want you punching holes through walls anyway right?”

Luke laughed a bit too loud. The walls were the last thing he’d have to worry about if Alex started doing any punching. But Alex held back what he really wanted to say and smiled instead.

Alex’s eyes met Valerie’s. For the first time that evening, she appeared troubled. Alex winked to let her know she had nothing to worry about. He wasn’t about to let this drunk ass get to him.

Luke downed the rest of his wine. “Oh hey,” he addressed Valerie with another sloppy grin. “Guess what I was able to get us.”

Valerie didn’t ask. She waited for him to continue.

“Me and you are invited to George Stone’s meet-and-greet before the seminar.”

Valerie’s reaction confused Alex. Who the hell was George Stone and why did Valerie seem excited about it?

“You’re kidding?”

“No,” Luke grinned, opening up his arms as if that warranted a hug.

Valerie glanced at Alex but leaned in and hugged Luke anyway.

“Are you serious? A meet-and-greet with him?”

Luke rubbed his hands against Valerie’s back. “Absolutely. You know me. I had a feeling that would make your day so I pulled a few strings.”