Page 32 of Love Among Vines

“You could stay with me.”

The fire rekindled at the very idea. But playing house with her fake boyfriend was a surefire recipe for disaster.

“No,” she said, maybe too quickly. “Sorry. Thank you so much for the offer, seriously. I just know that if I stayed with you, it would be physically impossible for me to not develop feelings for you. And I know that’s not what you’re looking for. Especially not with a random has-been artist who lives five hours away.”

“I think you vastly overestimate my animal magnetism. I work all the time, and my only hobbies are working out and—” He stopped suddenly, like he had almost divulged something. “That’s it, really. Bad enough to drive any woman away.”

She cracked a smile. “Sounds awful. You’re sure you don’t mind me staying tonight?”

One night was doable. Tomorrow she would be back in the city where she could buckle down and figure out her next steps.

“I told you, you could stay for two weeks,” he said.

She smiled. “You would hate having an artist-in-residence. Paint supplies everywhere. Not to mention a metric ton of dog hair on your furniture.”

“I always meant to get a dog. That’s why the winery is dog friendly.”

“You won’t be saying that when you need a three-month supply of lint rollers on hand for all your fancy suits.” She poked him. The wine was still coursing merrily through her veins. “Do you dress like this at home too?”

He laughed. “No. The suit thing is a relic from my grandmother’s day. She always insisted we wore our Sunday best while in the building.”

“Well. I’m sure it’s uncomfortable. But you really do wear the hell out of it.”

Why was she incapable of shutting her stupid mouth?

“And it’s a beautiful way to remember her,” she added.

“Thanks,” Rett said. “Looks like the coast is clear.”

They had finally reached Ashley’s parents’ house. The circular driveway was thankfully deserted. She should be able to dart in and out and grab Penny. She breathed a sigh of relief.

“I’ll come help.” He unbuckled his seatbelt.

She put a hand on his chest. She had definitely left the bedroom a disaster, and she had a sneaking suspicion that he kept a very clean home. “No need. I’ll only be a second.”

She hustled inside like a thief in an art museum. Penny greeted her at the door and proceeded to follow Jade as she darted from room to room, tossing her scattered possessions into the foyer. If she didn’t move quickly, someone could come back from the wedding early. And she was not in the mood for another confrontation.

She shouldered the front door open and shoved her possessions outside. Rett jumped out and carried them to the truck.

Finally, Jade had collected all of her things. With Penny’s leash in hand, she turned in the foyer and took in the house one last time. A picture of Ashley and her brother caught her eye. She would never see her friend again. And she’d definitely never be in this house again.

Against her wishes, a tear slid down Jade’s cheek. She had been running on adrenaline and spite since Ashley had dropped her truth bomb. But now reality was settling in. The two of them had been through so much together. Ashley had stood by her while the other prep school girls had turned their noses up. She had stayed in contact all through college, sent flowers andgroceries after Jade’s parents had died. They had taken family vacations together and girls' trips to the beach.

And now she was virtually a stranger. Just like Nate. The two of them were gone from her life forever. Now she really had no one.

“Onward and upward,” she mumbled to herself and dragged Penny outside.

The ride to Rett’s house was quiet.

As they passed through the little town of Hammondsport, her head was on a swivel. She ached to investigate the restaurants, sit down at the bars, and absorb the local culture. And she would be damned if she didn’t sit in that gazebo the next time she was in town.

Maybe, if things were financially better during the anniversary party, she would extend her stay.

“Beautiful town, isn’t it?” Rett said.

Penny’s chin was propped on his lap again. It was probably better that they had some doggie distance between them.

“It’s like a movie set. I keep expecting Chad Michael Murray to wander into frame. Which restaurant is your favorite?”

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