Page 85 of The Vineyard Crush

Heat rushed to my cheeks, and I buried my face in Leo’s shoulder to hide my embarrassment. “Is it that obvious?” I mumbled.

“Only to anyone with functioning eyeballs,” he teased, earning himself a half-hearted swat on the arm.

As my embarrassment faded, a new worry crept in, coiling around my heart like a thorny vine. “But what if… what if it’s not enough?” The words came out in a rush, giving voice to the fear that had been gnawing at me. “What if Mom can’t see past the fact that he’s not what she always imagined for me?”

Leo shifted, gently pushing me back so he could look me in the eye. His gaze was intense, filled with a fierce protectiveness that made my breath catch. “Then that’s her loss,” he said, his voice low and serious. “You’re not a little girl anymore, Em. You’re a grown woman who’s capable of making her own choices. If Ridge makes you happy, if he treats you well and supports your dreams, then that’s all that matters.”

Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes, and I blinked rapidly to keep them at bay. “When did you get so wise?” I asked, trying to inject some levity into the moment.

A crooked grin spread across Leo’s face, breaking the tension. “I’ve always been wise, ma lutine. You’re just finally old enough to appreciate it.”

I rolled my eyes, shoving him playfully. “And there’s the annoying big brother I know and tolerate.”

Leo’s laughter filled the room, bright and infectious. I found myself joining in, the weight on my shoulders lifting just a little bit more.

As our laughter subsided, Leo’s expression softened. “Seriously, though, Em. I’ve got your back, no matter what. If Mom gives you a hard time, I’ll be right there beside you. We’ll face her together, okay?”

I nodded, swallowing past the lump in my throat. “Okay,” I whispered, feeling a surge of gratitude for my big brother and his unwavering support.

Leo pulled me into a tight hug, and I melted into his embrace, letting myself be comforted by the familiar warmth. For a moment, I was transported back in time - to skinned knees and schoolyard bullies, to first heartbreaks and college acceptance letters. Through it all, Leo had been my constant, my protector, my friend.

As we pulled apart, I felt a renewed sense of determination settling over me. Yes, talking to Mom would be hard. Yes, there was a chance she wouldn’t understand or approve. But I had Leo in my corner, and more importantly, I had Ridge - the man who had shown me what it meant to truly love and be loved in return.

“Alright,” I said, squaring my shoulders and taking a deep breath “Let’s do this. Let’s tell Mom.”

Leo’s eyebrows shot up, a mix of surprise and admiration crossing his face. “Right now? You sure you’re ready?”

I nodded, feeling more certain with each passing second. “No time like the present, right? Besides, if I don’t do it now, I might lose my nerve.”

A proud smile spread across Leo’s face. “That’s my girl,” he said, giving my shoulder an encouraging squeeze. “Want me to dial?”

I shook my head, already reaching for my phone. “No, I’ve got this. But… stay close?”

“Always,” Leo promised, I decided to call mom instead of go to her room, coward move, I know.

My finger hovered over the call button, a last flicker of hesitation running through me. But then I thought of Ridge - of his steady presence, his unwavering support, the way he looked at me like I was the most precious thing in his world. And suddenly, I knew that no matter what happened next, it would be worth it.

With a deep breath, I pressed call and brought the phone to my ear. As it began to ring, I felt Leo’s hand slip into mine, a silent reminder that I wasn’t alone.

“Hello?” Mom’s voice came through the speaker, and I felt my heart skip a beat.

“Hi, Mom,” I said, my voice steadier than I expected. “Do you have a minute? There’s something I need to talk to you about…”

As I waited for Mom’s response, I felt my heart pounding in my chest, each beat echoing in my ears like a drumroll. The silence stretched on for what felt like an eternity, though it couldn’t have been more than a few seconds.

“Of course, sweetheart,” Mom finally replied, her voice warm but tinged with curiosity. “Is everything alright?”

I took a deep breath, squeezing Leo’s hand for support. “Everything’s fine, Mom. Better than fine, actually. I just… I have some news to share with you.”

There was a rustling sound on the other end of the line, as if Mom was settling into her favorite armchair. I could picture her so clearly - perched on the edge of the seat, one leg crossed over the other, her reading glasses perched on the tip of her nose.

“Well, don’t keep me in suspense,” she said, a hint of amusement in her tone. “What’s this news of yours?”

I closed my eyes, steeling myself for what was to come. “It’s about Ridge,” I began, the words tumbling out in a rush. “We’ve been seeing each other for a while now, and things are getting serious. Really serious.”

There was a pause, and I held my breath, waiting for her reaction. When she spoke again, her voice was carefully neutral. “I see. And how serious are we talking, Emma?”

I glanced at Leo, who gave me an encouraging nod. “I’m… I’m moving in with him, Mom. To the ranch.”

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