Page 54 of A Vintage of Regret
“Come on.” Riley lowered her chin. “I’m sure if you dig deep enough, you can remember whatever it was you were fighting about.”
“Sure. It was always the same fight. Or a variation of the same thing. She wanted me to spend less time in the vineyard. She wanted me to spend more time taking her to fancy parties. To the country club. She wanted to be on display, and I thought that was gross. But the biggest thing we fought about wasyouand the fact that I was still pining for you.”
Bryson stole a quick glance at Riley, who’d folded her arms and squinted. “And she wasn’t wrong. At first, I did my best to forget about you. But in the back of my mind, I thought you’d get the travel bug out of your system and come back. When I realized that wasn’t happening, I let Monica talk me into a proposal I didn’t want to make. It went downhill from there.”
“That’s no reason to get married. Now, I’m questioning my decision to go to this damn thing—not to mention yours. It’s like we’re only going to toss something in her face.”
“I’m sorry. That’s not why I agreed to go.” He reached across the cab and took her hand.
“Maybe not, but it’s kind of why I did.” She squeezed his hand, feeling the weight of her own pettiness. “And I’m better than that.”
He kissed the center of her palm. “She has the ability to bring out the worst in everyone. This was a charity started by my family, and somehow, hers has taken it over. It’s been a bone of contention for my mom. Not that she wants to plan and run the event. But it’s the fact that Monica, of all people, is butchering it.” Bryson let out a long breath. “It used to be held at the winery. It wasn’t this excessive black-tie event.”
“I remember.” Riley smiled at the memory. “There’d be food trucks, and a band, and even a non-scary clown that did those balloon animals for us kids. When did it change?”
“It was the year my mom’s father died, and things were just too much for my parents. Monica and I were engaged, so it seemed like the right thing to do. The following year, my mom had to have surgery, and things just got out of hand from there.”
“Your family should take it back,” Riley huffed.
“That would mean fighting Monica and her mother, and no one has it in them to do that. They’re exhausting. Not to mention all my mother cares about is that the people of Stone Bridge open their wallets.”
They rolled to a stop in front of the country club. A big white tent stretched across the side yard with twinkle lights and an actual arch of imported roses. Music wafted from somewhere behind the hedges, and servers glided around like they were auditioning for a period drama.
“I’ve always hated coming to the club.” Riley hesitated, her fingers tightening slightly against his arm. “I feel out of place.”
He leaned closer. “We can leave,” he whispered. “It’s not my cup of tea, either.”
“Nope.” She gave a breathy laugh. “I’m not backing out.”
As soon as they stepped past the arch and under the massive tent that overlooked the eighteenth green, the world seemed to slow. Heads turned. Whispers rippled. Monica’s curated crowd took notice.
“Riley.” Erin scurried across the room, leaving her husband to deal with a couple Riley didn’t recognize. “I didn’t think you were coming.” She kissed Riley’s cheek.”
“Bryson’s mom talked me into it.”
“She has the wickedest sense of humor.” Erin smiled. “Hello, Bryson.”
Inwardly, Bryson groaned as Grant and his wife, Kelly, strode across the room. Grant was an impressive man, no doubt. His wife was stunningly beautiful in a red strapless dress with her dark hair pulled back in a tight ponytail at the nape of her neck and a single strand of pearls around her neck. They looked like a power couple, and in many ways, they were.
Kelly didn’t come from money. Her family lived on the outskirts of town in a modest home. Her dad had worked with Sean at the power company—blue collar. They lived a quiet and comfortable life. Bryson remembered when Grant got married. His mother hadn’t been happy. Kelly wasn’t the pedigree that Elizabeth had wanted for her son.
Not like Chad, who came from a long line of high-priced lawyers.
But eventually, Elizabeth had seemed to accept Grant’s choice in life partner.
Bryson quickly put a protective arm around Riley’s waist.
“Hey, little sis,” Grant said, leaning in to kiss Riley’s cheek. “You look fantastic.”
“Thanks.” Riley smiled, though Bryson could tell it was forced.
So was Grant’s. Of course, Bryson was on edge.
“Boone.” Grant nodded. “Surprised to see you here tonight.”
Bryson shrugged. “Your sister twisted my arm.”
“Crap,” Riley whispered. “Here comes Mother.”
