Page 75 of A Country Kind Of Love
I like this place already.
She scans the property. She passes a store and a small food place where people exit with mini charcuterie boards. There are countless people laid out on blankets across the grass, some groups have even setout picnics.
The smell of a Mac Shack food truck hits her as the cart rounds the corner. The bouquet of slow-cooked meat and gourmet cheese makes her mouth water. There’s a large mahogany barn straight ahead with a small stage that juts out from the front. She can see and hear the jazz band playing.
“Anywhere around here would be great.” The golf cart comes to a halt.
Jesse is nowhere to be seen. She wanders around the tables, excusing herself as she steps over an obscene number of plastic cups. After a few minutes she spots him with a group of women by the side of the stage.
Peyton creeps up behind him. “Are you cheating on me again?”
He spins around and sighs with relief when he realises it’s only Peyton. The women entertaining him scowl in her direction as though she iscompetition.
“You made it.” He pulls her in for a hug. Which he never does. His usual Leather Oud smell is mixed with wine.
“You’re drunk.” Peyton chuckles.
“Barely.”
“Aren’t you supposed to be on stagein an hour?”
“Yes. I’ll be fine. I’m a rock star; this is what we do.” He winks and gestures for her to play along. “Ladies, this is my roommate, Peyton.”
The confusion on their faces is humorous to Peyton. They smile and nod politely, but she can tell they’re trying to work out just how close the two of themreally are.
“Don’t worry. There’s more chance of her hooking up with you than me.”Jesse grins.
He’s definitely drunk.
She hits him on the chest playfully. “Sorry, his body is only accustomed to tequila. I don’t know who this guy is.”
One of the girls laps up Jesse’s attention. She flicks her hair left, then right. Her cleavage is visible from the other side of the vineyard, and she responds to everything Jesse says with a high-pitched giggle. Peyton is pretty sure animals use a similar sound as amating call.
“I’ve only had three drinks.”Jesse grins.
“Plus another three.” Peyton laughs.
“Do you want a drink?” He grabs a bottle from the table. “Red Fox is my favourite, we have none left but this one is good too.” He pours her a glass. Peyton’s never been a wine drinker, but she’ll try anything once. Plus, if she drinks itJesse can’t.
“Thank you.”
“Peyton’s a lesbian. She likes girls. Do any of you like girls?” Jesse opens up the conversation to the group.
What the—
“Okay, let me take that.” She grabs the glass from his grasp. “Sorry ladies.” Peyton apologies, she ushers Jesse away to aquiet spot.
Once they’re out of ear shot, Jesse continues. “Do you like the girls? Their cute, right? I think one of them is called... Syrah.”
“That’s the name of the wine,” Peyton clarifies.
“Well, I like her too.” He reaches for the bottle Peytonis guarding.
“What are you going to do, have sex with all three of them?” Peyton scoffs.
He shrugs as though he’s considered it. “Wouldn’t be thefirst time.”
“Okay, that’s enough information for me.” She takes the glass of wine from his grasp. “I’m going to get yousome water.”
