Page 107 of Love Among Vines

“Jade?” a female voice called out to her.

She whirled around, probably looking like a still-sweaty madwoman.

Cindy, who had smoothed her hair back into a sleek topknot and changed into a white coat, waved at her from a booth. A banner flapped in the breeze. It readBraeburn Family Medicine—Free Mole Checks.

Jade scrambled over.

“Are you okay? You look flustered.”

Jade glanced to the right and left, but no one was looking at them.

“I messed up,” she admitted.

Cindy turned to the woman in scrubs next to her. She pulled cash out of her purse and handed it over. “Brooke, would you mind running over to Ted’s booth and picking up a couple slices of apple cake? I think Tom’s going to need it later.”

Brooke disappeared into the throng, and Jade stepped closer.

“What’s going on?” Cindy’s brows drew together.

“You remember the whole fake relationship thing?” Jade asked with a glance at Rett’s booth. His eyes were on her.

“It’s hard to forget,” Cindy said.

“Well, it’s still fake for Rett. But I think I’m having feelings.”

Cindy took a step back and sat on a pub chair. She took a long sip from a metal water bottle, looking almost amused. “You mean spending time with a handsome and thoughtful eligible bachelor and pretending to be in love led to feelings? Who could have predicted this?”

Jade shot her a dirty look. “You’re not helping.”

“I’m sorry.” The water bottle hit the table with a clunk. “This is what I was worried about. I don’t want to see you get hurt. Either of you. Rett’s been out of touch with his emotions for so long, I don’t think he knows how they work anymore.”

Jade leaned against the booth. “I’m so stupid. I know myself. I fall in love easily—way too easily.” She relayed the mixed CD and guitar-playing incidents.

Cindy cringed.

“I can’t be trusted. That’s why I’ve been keeping everyone at a distance for over two years. One-night stands, meaningless flings. There was no danger of getting attached. It was the only way to keep myself safe. But I fucked up. I let Rett in. And the worst part about it is he’s been so clear with the terms from the very beginning. It’s all fake. To him.”

“I don’t mean to interrupt this realization for you,” Cindy said slowly. “But there’s some guy behind you staring you down.”

Jade whirled around. If there was a creeper trying to get in on their conversation, she was going to set them straight. But what she saw stopped her in her tracks.

“Nate?” Her lips stumbled over the word.

What. The. Fuck.

There he was. The ex-boyfriend who had cheated on her and lied about it for who knew how long. Cheating with Ashley was painful enough, but how many others had there been?

He slunk up to her, clad in aviators and a pink Vineyard Vines polo.

She crossed her arms over her chest. What thehellwas he doing here?

“Hey,” he said in a low voice. “Can we talk?”

Her mouth fell open, but nothing came out.

Cindy cleared her throat, and Jade found her voice.

“No.”

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