Elliot glances over his shoulder, and then back at me. “How about we focus on Ellis’s new teacher and your new neighbor?”
I glare at him. “That wasn’t what I had in mind.”
“Well, I think it’s a great topic since she just walked in.”
All eyes move to the door of the tasting room, where sure enough, Vienna is standing, surveying the room.
And she looks fucking gorgeous.
The outfit she was wearing the night we met left little to the imagination, but right now she has on a green sweater that hugs her curves and dark blue denim practically painted onto her legs. Her feet are covered by brown boots, and her hair is down around her face, just like it was that night at The Charming Bull.
“You should go say hello,” Laney suggests.
I finally divert my eyes from Vienna. “Yeah, I don’t think so.”
My sister studies me curiously. “Why not? She’s Ellis’s teacher, and she’s new to town. I’m sure she could use a friend. I mean, it’s not like you met her before, had an amazing connection, got ghosted, and now have to see her all the time. Right?”
I turn toward Fletcher. “You fucking told her?”
Fletcher shrugs. “She’s my fiancée.”
“And I’m one of your best friends.”
“Fiancée trumps friend, dude. Sorry. That detail was just too good to keep to myself.”
Closing my eyes, I pinch the bridge of my nose. “Jesus Christ.”
Elodie reaches across the table and puts her hand on my arm. “If it helps, Rhonan, Henley told me too.”
I lift my head and glare at Henley. “That actually doesn’t, Elodie. But glad to know I can’t trust my friends to keep their fucking mouths shut.”
Dilynne takes a sip of wine from her glass. “Well, Laney is the one who told me, not Elliot. So at least one of the guys didn’t spill the beans.”
Elliot looks at Dilynne, confused. “Thank you, I guess.”
She tips her chin at him. “You’re welcome.”
Henley glances at the two of them. “Be careful, you two. That’s twice tonight that you’ve actually been sort of nice to each other.”
Elliot and Dilynne both flip him off simultaneously.
“Vienna!” my sister shouts, calling Vienna’s attention to us before I realize what’s happening.
“Laney, what the fuck?”
She glances down at me and then back up at my neighbor who is slowly walking in this direction. “Oh calm down.”
When Vienna reaches the table, she looks over at me as if asking permission, but my sister steps in quickly.
“Hi there,” Laney says, flashing a smile that dares anyone to make this weird. “Not sure if you remember me, but I’m Ellis’s aunt, Laney Hart.”
“Uh, hi.” Vienna’s nerves are visible—hands clasped, shoulders tight. “Yes, I remember you from Career Day.”
“How are you liking Blossom Peak so far?” The table goes quiet, every set of eyes on Vienna.
“Oh. Well, I’m really liking it a lot. The kids at the school are very sweet, but kindergarteners are exhausting,” she says through a laugh. “Hence the wine. This felt like the obvious stop after a full week of tiny humans.”
Laney nods. “You definitely came to the right place. Our family owns this winery, actually. Isn’t that right, Rhonan?” She pokes at me from the other side of Fletcher.
