Her style hasn’t changed at all.
"Welcome to Bridie’s," she says, waving her arms out as if doing a presentation.
"I’vebeento Bridie’s before, you know that. I’ve been here withyou." I look around the room for any signs of obvious change, but come up short.
"Ah, but you haven’t been tomyBridie’s." Her face beams with pride. Her smile taking over her entire face.
"You bought the place?" I ask, matching her excitement. She’d always wanted to ownabar, but I would never have picked that she’d own this exact one.Her goal after high school was to work as much as she could to pay for her mom’s medical bills, hoping she could complete community college eventually and get her business degree.
"It’s been mine for the past few years. It still needs a little work, and it’s far from perfect, but it’s mine." She smiles, resting her palms on the bench top. "The name held too much sentimental value for me to change, though."
She’s right. Bridie’s holds a special place in the hearts of everyone here in town.
"That’s amazing. I’m so happy for you. How’s your Mom?" I ask, as I pour myself a glass of water from the jug on the bar, getting comfortable to catch up with an old friend.
"She passed away eight years ago." Her expression changes from pride to pain, but she still manages a soft smile and I feel immediate guilt at the realization that I wasn’t here to support my best friend at a time where she needed support the most.
"Oh Bea, I’m so sorry. I had no idea." I reach for her hand and she gives it a soft squeeze before she quickly changes the subject.
"How’s Anderson? I hear you guys got engaged." Her eyes flutter to my left hand, then away.
"Well, let’s see. He broke up with me almost two months ago by leaving a note on our kitchen counter, only for me to bump into him at his sister’s wedding, where he introduced me to his pregnant girlfriend of the last three years." My lips form a straight line, creating the fakest smile I can muster.
"Oh, and the best part is, his entire family knew about it the whole time." I laugh so loud, I’m certain the entire bar heard it.
"I never liked that asshole. That whole family always seemed like pretentious jerks," she says while pouring me a shot of vodka.
"Wait, I just need two glasses of wine and a glass of water," I say quickly, hoping to stop her mid-pour, but she brings out a second shot glass and fills that up, too.
"I think you’re going to need something stronger than wine." She chuckles as she slides my shot glass in front of me, keeping the other for herself.
"Cheers," she says, clinking our glasses together before we throw them back, each of us wincing as we embrace the burn.
"How long are you in town for? If you’re here for a while, we should catch up properly," Bea says, pouring the three drinks for my sisters and me.
"I would love that. If I can find a job as an event planner, I might be here for good. If not, a few weeks at most," I say while standing, trying not to spill the drinks.
"You should check out the old Maxwell farm. It’s a winery now, and I think they need a new event planner. I have a feeling the new owner would love to see you." She smirks and I nod, noting her cheeks turning a dusty shade of pink before I turn my back to her and approach my sisters.
I’ve been back home for less than two hours, and so far, my mom, sisters, and now Bea have all mentioned that I should check out the winery. It’s piqued my curiosity.
Placing our drinks carefully down on the oak table, I take my seat.
"Who owns the winery?"
eight
Cassandra
"It’s just up hereon our left," Lizzie nods as we pull up in front of Wingrove Estates, like I’d forgotten where the old Maxwell farm was.
It’s changed a lot in the last twelve years, and Olive was right. The owner spared no expense on renovations. It’s completely redone and is absolutely breathtaking.
It just looks…luxurious.
The iron gates at the entrance display a huge W. E. on the front, catching my attention immediately.
My mouth hangs open as we drive up the gravel pathway, slightly uphill, passing the vineyard on both our left and right, with the view of the whole town behind it.
