Parker
I can feel my sister’s eyes on me as we work through the next big group of customers. She’s judging me, I can tell.
“Where are our brothers? I thought you were pulling one of them in to help while I was at lunch.” They aren’t ones for being out in public, I know that. But sometimes you have to get out of your habits and do what needs to be done.
“Phillip was up here for a bit, but you took a thousand hours for your lunch break.” There’s a bite to her voice, and I don’t appreciate it.
“I wasn’t gone that long.” It takes everything in me not to roll my eyes. Our customers don’t need to see this drama play out. Piper must be stressed if she’s making remarks out here.
It’s not like her, and I feel bad for adding to it. She’s usually more go with the flow. It’s one of the reasons we drive our siblings bonkers. Well, that and the fact we’re the babies. We may or may not have gotten away with so much growing up.
The last few customers are away from the counter and looking over the wine selections. Piper pulls me into a tiny alcove in the corner of the room. “What the hell is going on?”
“What do you mean?” I’ve learned playing dumb helps me until I figure out the direction of the conversation.
She holds up one finger. “First you get a text then randomly rush off to lunch. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you get out of here that fast.” She holds up another finger. “Then you come back with the woman you slept with and her sister. Whom we’re hosting for their wedding. How can you not see how this could all backfire?”
“Don’t berate me like I’m a child.” That’s the first thing she needs to know. “I ran into Jasmin and Daniela at Out of the Ashes. They were in town to pick out flowers.” As much as I want to mock her and hold up my fingers in the same way, I don’t. I won’t be petty. “Daniela’s fiancé happened to be with them so I invited them to come out so he can see the area.”
“It doesn’t explain why you and Jasmin were holding hands when you walked in.” With the insanity happening in here, I’m surprised she even noticed. I should have known better, though. She sees everything.
“Not that my love life is any of your business, but we’re dating.” I should elaborate, but she doesn’t need to know the details. Not that any of them are factual, except I’m still attracted to Jasmine and can’t stop thinking about her. I’ll have to deal with that at some point in the future.
She opens her mouth to make an argument against it, but someone calls from the counter. “I think we’re ready to check out.”
“Don’t come to me for help when this blows up in your face.” My sister plasters on a smile before she focuses on our customers. This is my chance to escape. Her dig is something I’ll ignore for now. I’m going to chalk it up to stress and how busy we’ve been today.
I move around the counter to the front of the room where Jasmin, Daniela, and Jacob are waiting. Right now, I’ll do anything to get some space from my sister.
“Are you ready to see where you’ll get married?” The question is for Jacob, but Daniela grabs his hand and nods. “We’ll go out the side door.”
I walk ahead of them to give myself some space, but Jasmin slips her hand through mine. Considering this entire ordeal is fake, it feels natural to be holding her hand and walking on our property. Like she’s meant to be here. I’ve never had that feeling with anyone. Hell, I’ve rarely brought anyone out to my place.
I open the door for Daniela and Jacob. Jasmin keeps me back to let them get some distance from us. “Is everything okay?”
“Yeah.” It’s not. Piper and I have fought plenty of times, but this is the first time it feels like she’s purposefully taking jabs at me. My dating life has never bothered her before. Even Phillip warned me about doing this.
“Are you sure? You seem…sad.”
Clearly Jasmin pays attention. I could’ve sworn I had my normal peppiness. I guess I was wrong.
“My sister is being weird. Honestly, it’s almost like I’m working under Pierce.”
“I’m sure things will calm down.” She gives my hand a quick squeeze as we follow her sister to the location she’s picked to get married.
One of my favorite things is watching people take in the view of our property. Not to be cocky or anything like that. But because it’s truly beautiful out here. As much as I love going out, I don’t think I could move to a city. There’s a tranquility at Starlit Fields I don’t think I’ll find anywhere else.
“It’s beautiful out here.” Jacob says as his head swivels from side to side. “Has your family always owned this?”
Have they? I’m not sure. I know my great-grandparents had this land, but past that, I have no clue. Maybe I should have paid attention when Dad talked about the family legacy.
“I’m sure at some point it may have belonged to someone else. I’ll have to ask my dad next time I see him. They are off on another cruise.”
Not that I blame them. They’ve put a ton of time in here, they deserve to spend their free time doing whatever they want. Now, I don’t think we were ready to take over, but we’re figuring it out.
“That sounds like a dream.” Daniela grins and sways, her hands clasped together in front of her chest. “That’ll be us one day, babe.”
Jacob wraps his arm around her and places a kid on the side of her head. “Absolutely. I can’t wait to start traveling the world with you.”
