Page 59 of Love Among Vines

JADE

“So what didyou think of the tasting?” Rett said from Jade’s right, Penny’s leash wrapped around his wrist. Her nails tip-tapped down the walkway toward the vineyard.

“It was amazing.”

She meant it. Every wine was perfect in its own way. Bold, fruit-forward, aromatic. The cheese was a step up from backpack cheese. It was so good that even the pain in her wrist had dulled.

“You don’t think it was missing anything?”

“Aside from the sparkling wine that I’m not allowed to taste?” she said.

“Fair enough. Soon. How are you feeling?” He came to stand next to her. Penny planted next to them.

“Perfectly fine.”

“Tingly?” he probed.

She looked down at her hands. “To be honest, most of my body is feeling tingly, but I’m having trouble differentiating between booze tingles and potential muse action.”

“Come with me.” He led her past the building and over a charming stamped-concrete patio where chairs were stacked on top of tables.

“Aren’t you going to tell me about these vines?” she asked, poking the grape nearest her. “Not much of a tour so far.”

“Sure. These were some of the first vines my grandparents planted when they moved here,” he said over his shoulder. “They’re the fourth oldest pinot vines in the country.”

Penny ran ahead, frantically sniffing the rows. She would have green feet for a week.

“Wow,” Jade said. She paused to turn around and take in the acres of lush greenery and vines. It was stunning.

“Where did you say we were going?” She stumbled into a post.

“Just a little bit further.”

“Fair enough.” It must have been a special spot.

She snuck a look at him as they climbed a hill. He was in yet another three-piece suit. Would she ever find out what was underneath them? At what point was the whole friends-with-benefits part kicking in, anyway?

The heat was amping up outside. Humidity settled heavily in her lungs.

“Here.” Rett led her into a clearing on the top of the ridge.

She gasped. An easel and stool were set up alongside two cocktail tables full of art supplies.

“I don’t know if any of this will speak to you, but I thought maybe it was worth a shot after you painted that sunrise.”

Her lip quivered.

“This is the most picturesque spot on the vineyard,” he explained. “I hope it helps.”

Jade rushed in and threw her arms around him. She had been hoping for an elaborate, sexy picnic away from prying eyes. But this was somehow even better.

“Thank you,” she said, voice muffled by his suit.

“I know you can do it. I’m sorry if the wine is interfering.”

She pulled back and shook her head. “I used to paint drunk once in a while. It’s what inspiredU Up?andPizza Town, Two A.M.back before I met Nate. Maybe it’ll help me get out of my own head.”

He squeezed her arm. “I’ll take Penny for a walk. We’ll meet you back down at the winery when you’re ready. No rush. I mean it. I don’t care if you stay out here till midnight.”

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