Page 10 of A Sip of Sherry

“She never listens,” I joked.

“Never.”Dad spun me again.“I wanted to tell you how proud I am.You did good, kid.”

“Thanks, Dad.”I grew up with parents who never held back praise, but there was still some thrill in hearing I made my parents proud.After all, this vineyard was an extension of first my grandfather and then their hard work and dedication.They had officially retired and had left us kids in charge of the whole multi-million-dollar business.They’d be heading to Italy soon to continue their travels they started when Grandpa passed away.

“Are you going to come visit your mother and me on our travels?”

“You know I would love to, but event season is about to take off.”

“Not for another couple of months.”

“Which is why I have paint nights scheduled, a cake and wine pairing planned with Lainey, a murder mystery that is already sold out, Vino and Vinyasa yoga in the barrel room, Spring Garden and Rose Launch Party in March with flower arrangement workshops not to mention all the meetings with soon to be brides and grooms to convince them Vine Valley Vineyards is the perfect venue for their big day.”

“I’m exhausted,” Dad said.

A laugh burst free, and I patted his chest.“You’re old now.It’s okay.”

Mom glided over, leaving her shoes behind.“I’m tagging in.”

“Are your feet okay?”I asked.

“No, but that’s tomorrow’s problem.Tonight, I want to experience this beautiful event my daughter put together.”

“Thanks, Mom.”

“You did good.”

“That’s what I said,” Dad said, then kissed my hand, thanking me for the dance before spinning Mom into him.Dad nodded to his watch.“Almost time.”

I glanced at my own watch that I wore so I didn’t lose track of time.There were five minutes in counting.I made my way to the band, giving them a smile and waiting for them to finish their current song.Once the music came to an end, the singer, Dorian West, handed me the microphone.

All conversation stopped, and all eyes turned toward me.I cleared my throat before holding the mic up.“Before we start the countdown, I wanted to thank everyone for spending your New Year’s Eve with us and for another wonderful year at the vineyard.We love the energy and excitement you have brought tonight.So, raise your glass to another incredible year in Vine Valley.May the new year bring you good health, great company, and even better wine!”

Cheers and laughs erupted around me.I smiled at the crowd, but my eyes immediately landed on Ben’s.Why did he have to look so good in a navy blue tuxedo with a black lapel?Those colors shouldn’t go together, but they suited him so perfectly.The material clung to him in a way only a custom suit could.His lip quirked, as if he knew he had my attention.I quickly snapped it away.

My attention drifted to my watch, waiting for the moment.Still a few minutes to go.Someone handed me a fresh glass of champagne, and I took it with a smile, barely tasting the first sip as I exchanged a quick thank you.

The room buzzed with energy full of glittering dresses, loud laughter, and couples already embracing.I should be thinking about checking the dessert table, making sure the photo booth hadn’t delved into chaos, but instead, my gaze kept drifting to Ben.

He stood near the bar, sharing a laugh with a few locals.I hated how easy it was to find him in a crowd.I hated how my heart jumped when his head tilted back with his laughter.

“Almost time,” Odette announced above the chatter, and I confirmed with my watch.

“And the countdown begins!”I announced.“Ten, nine, eight, seven.”

Ben turned, slipping through the people and making his way toward the back of the room.I almost stumbled on the countdown, but my mouth continued while my mind followed him out.I knew where he was going.

“Happy New Year!”I yelled along with everyone else.

Wyatt dipped Rose, kissing her quick and pulling her up, as they pointed and giggled at others.Mom and Dad kissed like they did so often in our kitchen growing up—as if no one else was in the room.Brady and Chardonnay, Laurent and his wife Phoebe, Franc and his girlfriend Quinn, my best friend—who usually embraced me—was sucking face with Nero.Rhone and Sutton kissed each other’s cheeks, then hugged for more than a few beats.Everyone had someone but me.

My eyes lingered on the door that Ben had exited.One night was all it had taken to turn my world upside down.Would I really be reckless enough to let it happen again?

Mom and Dad bombarded me, hugging me and wishing me a happy new year, then my siblings joined.I might not have had someone to kiss at midnight, but I still had my family.

And for this moment, it was enough.

Chapter 5

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