Page 4 of Unexpected Forever
“Sounds like a story there.”
“I planned the party with him. Which worked out well until we got to one point. We couldn’t agree on who should bring Megan.” I put a hand on my chest. “I said I would be better so I could help her pick her clothes. He had…other ideas. Anyway, we played a round and the winner brought Megan, the loser brought you.”
He chuckles and the deep timbre of it sends a shiver down my spine. “I feel so wanted.”
I shrug playfully. “That’s the breaks, kid.”
We walk a little farther before he speaks again. “Listen, I’m sorry if I appeared rude when I first opened the door. It’s a defense mechanism. If I open the door to an unfamiliar but beautiful woman, I go into defense mode.”
Holy shit. Did Nate Gentry just call me beautiful?
I need a lifeline or my man sabbatical is going to go up in flames.
Much like my underwear.
And the goose bumps rising on my skin? It’s just the wind. It has nothing to do with the fact a famous baseball player called this small-town girl beautiful.
“I take it this kind of thing has happened before?”
His lips pull down into a frown. “Yeah. I’ve lost count of how many times. I like my private life private.”
“Well, you don’t have to worry about me. I’m on a man sabbatical.” I nod firmly, but standing next to him, I wonder who I’m trying to convince.
I speak quickly, hoping he won’t bite on my man sabbatical comment.
“Anyway, I do understand the groupie thing. My brother Del ran into that situation when he was on TV regularly. It’s better now that he isn’t on so often, and most of the time if tourists see him in town, they’re cool. But when he first came home, the local deputies had to rescue him and his girlfriend from a line of crazy women.”
“It’s scary as hell sometimes.” He sighs. “And the biggest reason why I’ve stayed away from visiting Megan for so long. I didn’t want to get her wrapped up in all the paparazzi mess.”
I smile and punch him lightly in the bicep, which is warm under his shirt and hard as a rock. “Aw, aren’t you the protective big brother?”
He looks down at the ground and rubs a hand over his chin, but a slight smile peeks out. “Maybe.”
“Well, from what Megan has told me, you’re an amazing brother. Hell, you even bought a bar at the beach for her to run.”
“Yeah, untilyourbrother came in and swept her off her feet and now she lives here.” One corner of his mouth lifts in a half smile.
I laugh. “Yeah, he did. What did you end up doing with the bar?”
“I still own it. Moving forward with renovations. I’ll just have to find someone else to run it.”
I start to comment but the lights of the winery catch my eye. “We’re here. Let’s head around back so we won’t be seen.”
A stepping-stone path leads to the back door. Once inside, we weave around huge stainless steel tanks and other winemaking equipment, making our way up to the main floor.
Inside, the winery is all understated elegance with dark woods, white walls, and wrought iron. The one touch of opulence is the beige marble floors with gray-and-gold veining.
Usually, it’s full of people milling around, wine in hand, or standing at the various tasting stations around the room.
But tonight, it’s closed to the public, making it dark and quiet, and our footsteps echo on the marble floor.
I’m keenly aware of the man walking beside me. Every so often, I catch a whiff of his cologne, the scent wrapping around me like a hug.
Focus on the task at hand, Charley. In a few minutes, you’ll go your separate ways at the party and that will be it.
We follow the signs for the Wine and Vine ballroom, and the murmur of voices grows louder as we approach the room. I slide a glance to him.
“You ready? My family and the people in this town can be a lot, but I’ll keep us moving.”
