Page 87 of Wish I Didn't Want You Back

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

HARLOW

Iwas hungry and anxious by the time Brooks’ truck pulled in the driveway. Despite the multiple texts I’d sent, he kept me in the dark about how his meeting went with Mr. Clark.

The man was maddening at times, but I figured if he was taking me to dinner, then that was a good sign, right?

When he stepped out of his truck, I thought my brain would short-circuit.

The sleeves were rolled up on his black button-down, showing off his strong forearms. His dark jeans looked like they were custom-made just for him. I couldn’t help but do a not-so-subtle scan from head to toe. When he started walking toward me, I forced myself to play it cool, despite the heat creeping up the back of my neck at the sight of him.

He met me at the bottom of the steps; his hand rested on the railing.

“Ready for our date?” He grinned.

I leaned against the post. “Are you going to tell me if we are celebrating or not?”

He shook his head. “If I told you, it wouldn’t be a surprise.”

I huffed, not liking this little suspense game he was playing. “You know I hate surprises, right?”

He chuckled. “Trust me.”

I tried, really, I did, but not knowing the outcome of the meeting was killing me.

Brooks didn’t say where we were going. He kept his hand on the steering wheel, tapping his thumb to a country song playing on the radio.

“How far of a drive to this mystery place?”

“Not far.”

I played with the hem of my dress. “That’s not an answer.”

“It’s the best one you are going to get.”

As we drove toward town, I felt my nerves settle a bit.I cracked the window open enough to let the soft breeze into the truck.

We passed most of my favorite shops and restaurants, and I was about to ask him another question when we took a left at the firehouse, driving in the direction of the Marcellus Falls Country Club. “I’m not dressed for the club,” I said, looking down at my outfit. The private club was the fanciest place in town. We were members there when I was growing up, and we always wore our best clothes when we went.

“Good,” Brooks said, taking a right and driving up a winding road. “Because we aren’t going to the club tonight.”

I glanced out the window as we drove further up the road. I leaned forward, peering through the windshield as we reached the top of the hill. Rows of grape vines were on either side of us.

We passed a big green and gold sign that read, “Welcome to the Amber Inn Winery.”

“Is this place new?” I asked, turning in my seat to face him.

Brooks found a spot in front of the building. “It is, and I hope you like it.”

“I’m sure I will. What kind of food do they have?”

“Mostly small plates and wood-fired pizzas, but there is a dining room with a more formal menu.”

“I’m good with pizza,” I said as he helped me out of my seat.

He grabbed my hand and laced our fingers together. “You can have whatever you want because we are celebrating tonight.”

I looked up at him and stopped walking. “You got the deal?”

---