Page 70 of Wild Abandon

Naomi takes a seat next to me, her elbows resting on her knees. “I know you’re upset over Nate, but you have to move on.”

“I am not moping over Nate.”

She accusingly raises her brow at me.

“If I were so upset over Nate, then why am I going out with Brent again tonight?”

This will be my fifth date with Brent in two weeks. He’s taken me horseback riding on his vineyard, to dinner in Sonoma, and to an art show in the valley.

“You’ve been going through the motions with Brent, but I know you, Crystal. You’re not into it.” Naomi looks concerned. “Nate is the first guy in seven years I’ve seen you have any emotions for.”

“I don’t have feelings for Nate!” I say defensively.

She is giving me the mother-hen deadpan look she usually reserves for Scarlet.

“Fine, I like Nate. But I’m not in love with him or anything. I just enjoy hanging out with him. It’s not holding me back from anything.”

“Of course it is. It’s what you do.”

I scrunch my face at her. “What do you mean, it’s what I do?”

Naomi answers like it’s the most obvious thing in the world, “Crystal, you’ll find any excuse not to commit. Brent is perfect, but you’re so focused on how Nate cast you aside that you’re using that to keep a wall up with Brent. For years, you’ve used your marriage to Stephen as a reason to stay away from most men.”

“I’m sorry. Repeat that, please, because I’m trying hard not to find it insulting. Steven broke my heart.”

“He never broke your heart.” Naomi turns to face me, her knee touching the side of mine. “You’ve created this perfect man in your head. If a man doesn’t meet your expectations, then you walk away.”

“News flash. Nate is far from the perfect man. He is the opposite of everything I want in a guy.”

“And that’s why you want him. Because you know it’s not going to work.”

“Jeez, please don’t hold anything back.” I give her an eye roll and then run my finger through my scalp and down the strands of my curls.

“Brent is everything you’ve ever wanted. I get why you’re dating him. You need to realize what you want and what you need are two very different things.”

I lean my head back and look up into the sky. What I want and what I need are one in the same.

I turn back to Naomi, who has a look of concern for me plastered all over her face. I suppose I have been moping a lot today. She brought me out here to find love and try something new and exciting. She shouldn’t worry about me though. I have it all under control.

Picking my cello back up in position, I look over at Naomi and start playing the music to “All You Need Is Love” by The Beatles.

“You’re an ass,” Naomi says as she gets up from the stoop. “Go get dressed. And leave a bottle of that Ellie Creek. I know you have some stashed under your bed.”

I laugh and finish my song.

Sexy black dress and super high heels, my hair blown and lashes glued on, I am out to dinner to Morimoto Napa, a Japanese restaurant in Downtown Napa.

Brent has excellent culinary taste. He has great taste in everything.

He has flaws, too. He answers his phone during our dates and often stops to text. He also likes to eat garlic, which makes me cringe when I kiss him. I’ve rectified the situation by carrying mints with me.

I am starting to feel comfortable with him, enough so that I am more talkative. Tonight, I am telling him all about Russet Ranch and Big Ed. Brent isn’t as enraptured in the conversation as I thought he’d be.

“I’ve never heard of it. You said they make their own wine?” he asks.

“They did but stopped a few years ago. The owner leases the land out, but I have a feeling he’ll start production again soon. The wine is spectacular.” I’m gushing.

“You amaze me, Crystal Reid. How did my Cinderella end up sweeping floors?” His voice is so smooth that I don’t know if the comment is a compliment or an insult.