“And that’s it. Thank you all again for joining us,” Laney says, breaking through my thoughts as the entire crowd claps. “Don’t forget to get your sample of wine before you leave, and all bottles are twenty percent off for yoga participants tonight.” She makes her way from her spot at the top of the lawn, kissing Fletcher first, then traipsing over to Elodie. “So, how was it?”
“It was great. It’s been a while since I’ve done yoga, but it was just like riding a bike.”
Laney rubs Elodie’s shoulder. “Glad to hear it. That spot where I was is where we’re going to set you up to perform too, by the way.”
“Perfect.”
“Um, I’m sorry. Did you say…perform?”
Elodie turns back to me, her eyes wide as Laney glances between us, her brows drawn together. “Yeah. Didn’t Elodie tell you?”
I cross my arms over my chest. “Do I look like she told me?”
Elodie rubs my arm. “I’m sorry, I forgot to mention it. Laney had a performer cancel, so she asked me if I’d be willing to perform for Concert in the Courtyard next week.”
Laney’s eyes dart between us as Elodie plants her hands on her hips and says, “Is that a problem?”
I shift my gaze away from her, trying to figure out why the thought of her singing here sets me on edge. “No. Not a problem. Just—caught off guard.”
“Uh, I’m gonna leave you two to talk,” Laney says, catching up to Fletcher where he’s standing off to the right chatting with a few fans.
I turn back to Elodie. “So, you’re performing?”
“I am, but what I’m wondering is why you’re mad about it?”
“I’m not.”
“Could have fooled me.”
Sighing, I uncross my arms and run a hand through my sweaty hair. “Look, I just wasn’t anticipating that bit of news.”
“And I’m just trying to understand why you’re making such a big deal out of this.”
I pull her closer to me. “I fucking love your voice, you know that.”
“Then what’s got gorilla man reappearing right now?”
The issue is hearing that you’re performing was like being backhanded into remembering why you came here in the first place, and why you’re probably leaving in a month and a half.
“Looks like you two had fun,” Carol says, interrupting our conversation, Remy happily sitting on her hip. “Even though the temperature is dropping, looks like you were still sweating.”
I intercept my daughter from her, kissing her cheek and nuzzling her nose. “Yoga isn’t as easy as it looks, Carol.”
“Well, maybe I’ll join you next time.”
“I think this was the last session before the events shut down for the winter,” Elodie says. “That’s what Laney told me, at least.”
Carol nods. “Sounds about right. The beginning of November brings harsh, cold weather. After the last concert, it just gets too cold for the winery to host outdoor events. They have plenty indoor ones though. You’ll have to come to the Sip & Smut Night.”
“Sip & Smut?” Elodie asks.
“Yes. It’s a book club for romance lovers and we drink wine.”
I pinch the bridge of my nose. “I did not need to know that you attend that, Carol.”
She smacks me on the back. “You act like you don’t know about my reading collection.” Carol leans closer. “I’ll never forget the look on Henley’s face when I found him reading one of my books. Later, I realized it was a scene in a billionaire romance where the man had his wife bent over a piano.” She fans her face. “Truly a scene that lives rent-free in my head.”
“I think I’m gonna throw up,” I mutter.
