Page 22 of A Taste of Chardonnay

“You going to Brady’s Halloween party?” Rose asked as I removed the pizza crust from my pizza oven.

“Why would I do that?”

“Because the entire town is expected to be there. Nero is even closing the tasting room early so his team can go.”

My head snapped up. “I didn’t approve that.”

Rose laughed. “Well, you can take it up with him. Good luck with that. He and Lainey have already planned their costumes.”

“Oh God. Are they doing one of those dreadful couple costumes?” Every time she saw one in the past, she’d roll her eyes. They were tacky, though most costumes were. She preferred not to dress up, which is why she didn’t go out on Halloween. Her sisters forced her once. She didn’t dress up, and the entire night, she had to deal with people asking what she was. When she told them she wasn’t in costume, they looked at her like she just admitted to poisoning the entire party.

“Why? Are you jealous?” Rose asked.

“I think they’re ridiculous.”

“Hey! Wyatt and I do one every year.”

“And I think it’s ridiculous.”

Rose stuck her tongue out at me, then popped a cherry tomato in her mouth. “Relationships change you. I always thought they were dumb, but Wyatt is all about them, so to make him happy I did it, and now every year we have so much fun coming up with our costumes.”

“I’ve had my fair share of relationships and never have I ever want to dress up in a matching costume.”

“That’s because you’re not fun.”

“I’m fun!” I exclaimed, dropping the crust on the counter and glaring at Rose. I was plenty fun. I just didn’t have time for fun.

“When was the last time you put a pair of jeans on?”

“What do jeans have to do with fun?”

“You don’t let yourself relax. You’re always buttoned up with the perfect hair, clothes, and makeup.”

“That doesn’t mean I don’t have fun.”

“I know that, but it’s the structure. Everything with you is so planned. I wouldn’t be surprised if ‘have fun’ is a line on your checklist.”

Maybe it was, but what was wrong with that? It was just a reminder to take some time for myself and do something I enjoyed, whether that be reading, going for a walk, or treating myself to a latte.

“I don’t see anything wrong with that.”

“I knew it!”

“Knew what?” Sherry asked, coming into the kitchen, holding up a cake box from Lainey’s bakery.

“Chardonnay puts ‘have fun’ on her to-do list.”

Sherry let out an obnoxious laugh. “Of course she does.” She placed the box on the counter and reached over Rose to grab a tomato.

“At least I make it a priority,” I said with confidence as I swiped some rogue oregano flakes from the counter and into my hand.

“Do you?” Sherry asked. “Seems like you’re always working.”

“I go to Pilates.”

Rose and Sherry laughed.

“You know what? I could say the same for you.” I pointed my gaze right at Sherry, eyebrows raising.

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