Page 49 of Love Among Vines

“Prepping the mural space.”

“Café closes at two. After that?”

“I…don’t know.”

“Come to the winery. I’ll give you a private tasting. On the house, so you don’t have to touch your experience budget. Consider it part of your training for the anniversary party.”

She seemed to consider for a moment. “Fine. But I’m bringing backpack cheese.”

He shook his head. “We have backpack cheese. We’re going to do it right. And who knows? Maybe it’ll unlock something in you.”

“You have a deal.”

“Where are you staying tonight, by the way? You know you’re welcome to stay with me.”

Jade froze for a moment. “At Ashley’s parents’ house,” she said quickly. “I think it’s the least that family can do.”

“Okay. I’ll drop you off.”

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

JADE

Rett’s taillightsfaded into the distance. The return trip had been quieter, and despite the verbal foreplay, he had left without even a kiss on the cheek. What more did she have to do, gelatinize some chardonnay into the shape of edible panties?

It was hard not to be disappointed, but he was clearly distracted. They had pulled over twice on the way home so he could chat with someone from the winery on the phone and review some work-related documents.

He worked too much, and he definitely seemed to struggle when he wasn’t in control. But the promise of tomorrow hung in the air. Maybe she could teach him how to let go. Just a little.

And more importantly, tomorrow was the first day of the official re-launch of her career. She needed some rest. And maybe some Tums.

She whirled around and took in the house in front of her. Penny whined at her side. Okay, so she hadn’t technically asked permission to stay here. But everyone had left that morning, and it made no sense to leave a perfectly good house vacant. The Moores had never sprung for a security system, so they would never know. She slipped around the side of the house and grabbed the spare key from beneath a flower pot.

Inside, sad, taxidermized animals greeted her. She left her bags next to the stairs and strode deeper into the house, on the hunt for antacids. Penny followed close behind.

Headlights flashed across the windows, and a car pulled into the circular driveway out front. She stopped in her tracks. Holy shit. Was that Ashley’s parents?

“Fuck fuck fuck,” she whisper-shouted. She threw open the door to the basement and ushered Penny down the stairs before whipping her bags down. She closed it behind her just as the front door creaked open.

It was dark. Boxes were stacked haphazardly all over. All it would take was one thwap of Penny’s tail to announce their presence. Mr. Moore was a dedicated gun enthusiast and would undoubtedly shoot her dead on the spot. She sheltered deeper into the basement, heart hammering in her ears.

She needed to leave. But where would she go? A rental was out of the question. She had watched more than her fair share of crime shows in the last two years, and the truth was she didn’t know Rett well enough to stay with him for two weeks. The only other person she knew in town was Margie.

“I’m so glad we decided to stay,” a voice said faintly above her. That was definitely Tracey, Ashley’s mom.

“It’s been too long. This place really needs a reno,” said a male voice that could have only been Frank.

Jade swept the room, heart in her throat. She needed to get out of here before they caught her lurking in the basement and shot her—or worse, told Ashley and Nate about it. But how?

A sliding door caught her eye. Thank god it was a walk-out. Hefting Penny through a standard window well wouldn’t have been easy.

She scanned the room and spotted a hiking backpack that was partially illuminated by moonlight. She yanked it towards her and dug through it. A sleeping bag was rolled beneath, andthere were poles and a large piece of canvas that must have been a tent. That settled it. She would camp somewhere. She’d never done it before, but how hard could it be? It might even be nice. Something to put on her experience list.

She put the backpack on and carefully opened the door. Penny rushed out and nearly pulled her arm out of the socket.

“Did you hear something?” came a muffled voice from the house.

Panic flared in her chest. Jade slid the door closed and made a run for it. Between her heavy bag and the bulky pack, there had never been a less stealthy getaway. Penny galloped happily along next to her, apparently not recognizing the urgency of the situation.

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