Damn she gave in. That’s not what I want to hear.
She sees my face fall, and moves to sit beside me. “I didn’t sell out to please my brother. I do want to be involved in the winery, but in my own way.”
“How are you going to do that?”
“Well, this property is massive. With a few spaces added to it, it would be a great place to hold larger scale events. Like weddings. I happen to work in an industry where I could suggest it. As soon as everything is done, they are going to join forces with Whoopsie Daisy and the local wedding planner.”
“Th-that is amazing.” I pull her closer to me. “You get the best of both worlds.”
“My thoughts exactly.”
“I’m sorry for the way I acted the last time we saw each other.” I take a deep breath, and keep going. “I really should learn to keep my mouth shut sometimes.It’s just that I love you, and the last thing I want to see is you hurting, or taken advantage of.”
“You love me?” Her eyes are wide, and she’s acting as if this is the most unbelievable thing she’s heard. I guess Pierce didn’t tell her about our brief interaction.
“I know we haven’t known each other long, but yes, I do love you. I fell head over heels for you the first night we met, and with every interaction we’ve had since. You’re it for me.”
“This is completely out of my comfort zone. But I know in my soul, I love you.” She throws her arms around me and smashes her lips into mine. I pull her into my lap for easier access. This is the next moment that will live rent free in my mind for days to come.
Applause catches our attention and I pull away. Her entire family is standing in the entryway.
“Were they in on this entire thing?”
“As if they would let me do this without them. You know how nosey they are.”
Parker heads toward us until Pierce pulls him back. He almost runs into the wall with the force. Maybe Pierce isn’t so bad after all.
Paula leans her head on my chest. How she has the ability to ignore their presence is beyond me. But the noise fades away and finally it’s the me and the woman I love. There’s nowhere else I’d rather be. Nosey family and all.
epilogue
It’ssixty degrees outside and I’m sweating. The work that goes into events is more than I imagined. No wonder the rest of the group goes out for drinks after they wrap up. Is it too early to take a shot?
“Paula, you need to calm down.” Tristan places his hands on my shoulders. “You don’t have anything to worry about.”
“Seriously?” I look around at the absolute chaos inside the venue my family built on Starlit Fields. “Nothing is where it’s supposed to be. I don’t think I can do this.”
He moves one hand to my jaw, turning my face until our eyes meet. “Take a deep breath.”
“Now’s not the ti?—”
“Take a deep breath.” He cuts me off. This time it’s a demand, not a request.
I do as he says. I breathe in until my lungs are full.
His focus is on me the entire time. He doesn’t blink, only watches what I’m doing. “Now, let it out.”
As always, Tristan grounds me whenever I start to spiral. “Thank you.”
“You have me, the rest of the Whoopsie Daisy crew, and your family here to help you.” I start to turn, but he brings my attention back to him. “We are not going to let your first event be anything but amazing. Samantha is making a list and handing out tasks. The only thing you need to do is finish putting the arrangements together and get them on the tables.”
“But the DJ isn’t here, and I can’t get ahold of him.”
“Let me worry about that. If push comes to shove, I can get on stage and perform one of the few scenes I did in high school.”
“Absolutely not.” I laugh. “No offense, but I’ve seen you act. It’s no wonder you were part of the stage crew.”
“Well, that’s mean.” He’s holding in his laughter so I know he’s not upset. He must think I’m calmer, because he pulls his hands away from me. I miss the contact already. “But I will track down the DJ. There will be music present for this party.”
