Page 36 of Love Among Vines

She turned to look at him, and his eyes snapped up to meet hers.

“Well, we couldn’t have you dislocating an elbow. I imagine you need those for work.” As he spoke, he reached a hand out to stroke the offending body part.

Her breath caught in her chest. They were standing half-naked in front of each other, and he was stroking her arm. This had to be a move, right?

She took a step closer to him and looked up at him. Fuck it. She had to shoot her shot. If she didn’t, she would regret it every day for the rest of her life.

She had just reached out one hand to plant on his abs when he cocked his head.

“Do you hear that?”

She turned to look over her shoulder. “Oh shit. It’s?—”

At that moment, Penny, apparently unable to stop her momentum, crashed into her with the force of a furry freight train.

Jade shrieked and hit the carpeted floor with a muffled thump. Every part of her had probably just jiggled like she was an elaborate Jell-O mold from the fifties.

“Zoomies,” she whispered. The wind had been completely knocked out of her. Her thigh stung where a shockingly solid doggie skull had collided with her.

Rett’s concerned face appeared above hers. Penny popped up next to him, panting happily like she had just hit a zoomies PR. She licked his cheek.

“I’m fine,” Jade said, rolling onto her side and clambering to her knees. She reached over and grabbed her dress.

That had surely been a sign from the universe. She was not meant to jump Rett’s bones tonight.

“Are you sure? That was a pretty hard fall.”

“All good.” She crawled into her room and shut the door.

“Fuck,” she whispered. She had made a damn fool of herself.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

RETT

Rett,still kneeling on the floor, stared at the closed door. This was definitely the first time this had ever happened to him—a beautiful woman, half-naked in front of him, slide tackled by a golden retriever. If Penny hadn’t made an appearance, there was a strong chance he would have tested the waters. He had been seconds from holding Jade’s long, lean runner’s body. Feeling the quickening of her pulse under his fingers. Pressing her against the wall while he explored every inch.

Their kiss from the rehearsal dinner burned in his mind. Maybe it was just because it had been awhile, but it had been electric, almost earth-shifting. Had Penny saved him from making a mistake?

Beyond the fact that Jade was obviously stunning, even in a rumpled dress, she was resilient, funny, acknowledging of her own flaws, and all-around intriguing.

But she was determined to leave tomorrow, and he wouldn’t see her again for two weeks. And after that? Maybe never. Getting romantically or physically involved would be a mistake. Especially with the winery in jeopardy.

Regardless, he couldn’t shake off the feeling that she deserved more than this. She had mountains of potential, if onlyshe could unlock it. A few small changes—a driver’s license, a fresh resume, some financial literacy classes, a steady job—and she’d be unstoppable. Their relationship would be much better as mentor and mentee, especially at a distance.

Would he be able to ignore that indescribable pull? She’d already been through so much. She deserved love and companionship whether she realized it or not. He couldn’t be the one to hurt her again, but maybe he could help her realize what she truly wanted.

His phone beeped on the dresser, and he snapped out of it. It was Elaine, reporting that everything had gone well and the winery was locked down for the night.

His heart stuttered in his chest. In the chaos of the evening, he had somehow forgotten about the winery. He logged in to their accounting software on his phone and checked the deposit. Not terrible, not great. Another lukewarm Saturday.

After a quick shower, he traipsed down the stairs and opened his refrigerator. Apple dumplings—last night’s stress bake—stared back at him. He whipped off the cellophane and popped them in the oven to warm.

The tip-tap of Penny’s nails on tile drew his attention, and he turned around. There Jade was, a slightly frayed NYU T-shirt draping down to her butt. Her left arm clutched her right, and she approached slowly.

Penny surged forward and planted her paws on his chest.

“Down, Penny.” Jade laughed. “Thank you again for the hospitality. The shower was great. You said you wanted to show me something?”

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