Page 26 of One Sweet Day is Never Enough

“You have no idea.” He laughed, took a sip, and pulled another chair in so he could rest his feet. “Honestly, I’m so glad it went well. I don’t want my dad worrying about the place. The turnout should’ve eased his mind. I haven’t looked at the numbers yet, but I’ve got a feeling we did well.”

“Cheers to you, for doing such a great job. Seriously, this was a huge undertaking. Well done.”

“Thanks.” He nodded gratefully and took another sip of his wine. “Hey, thanks for helping out today. I really appreciate it.”

“Oh, that’s sweet, but it was nothing, and I honestly enjoyed it.” She set down her glass and took a slice of cheese and a cracker. “Thanks for asking me to celebrate with you. I’m honored.” She still hadn’t told him about the potential booking.

He grinned. “It’s just my way of paying you back for all the free labor.”

Gia popped the snacks in her mouth and Seth grabbed some for himself.

She laughed. “Is it, now?” She snuck a peek at him. He was hardworking and determined, levelheaded, and a good leader—much more than just a handsome face. She pulled in another chair of her own and rested her sneakers on it. Tonight was turning out to be so much more than she’d thought it would.

“So listen, I have some good news. I wanted to tell you earlier, but we were too busy.”

“Oh, yeah? What’s up?” He peered across the table at her.

She sat up. “I’ve got a bride and a groom who want to come and see the winery this week. They’re planning a small wedding for October—about one hundred people—and they’re looking for a local winery. I met with them today—that’s why I was so late. They hired us to plan their event. I think we can sell them on this place if you’ll show them around.”

“Really? That’s great!” He sat up. “I’d be happy to show them around. What day were you thinking?”

Good! He was as excited as she was. “Probably Tuesday. Will that work?”

He gave a wholehearted nod. “Tuesday’s great.” He held up his glass again. “Okay, now we have to toast again.”

Gia grinned.

“To the start of something great. You’re amazing!”

Gia blushed and clinked glasses with him again. “Thank you!”

Why did it make her so happy when she made him smile?

* * *

A half-moon shonein the cloudless sky and the last of the festival trucks had left. The citronella candle still flickered in the darkness. All that could be heard on the farm now was the pleasant chirp of the crickets. Seth’s glass was empty.

Two hours had flown by as he sat across the table from Gia. Two pleasant hours spent talking and laughing. Tonight had been his single most enjoyable night since he’d moved back three and a half months ago.

The conversation hadn’t slowed for a second. Gia was easy to talk to and she seemed like she had her life together. She was ambitious and smart and independent. He admired that. She was also kind, helpful, nurturing, even.

What a contrast from Stacey. He felt guilty even thinking it, but even though Stacey was smart, passionate, and exciting, she was also needy and self-involved, on all but her best days. He rolled his eyes with a shake of his head and turned away from Gia. Not worth thinking about right now.

“What’s wrong?” Gia asked.

“Oh, nothing.” He played it off. “Just a lot on my mind.” He glanced back at her and the shock of her long blonde hair pulled him in.

She was beautiful by candlelight. Or, by any light, for that matter. A pang of guilt crossed his chest and he looked away. He shouldn’t be thinking about her like that.

It was bad enough that he couldn’t seem to make a decision about his girlfriend, but it wasn’t okay to have thoughts about someone else.

Gia looked over and smiled. “It’s late. I’d better get going.”

He checked his watch. It was after nine and he was exhausted, anyway. “All right. How’d it get to be nine already?” He stood up and pulled her into a standing position, meeting her gaze. “This was fun. Thanks for staying. ” Her hands felt soft and warm. He honestly didn’t want to let go of them, but he dropped them quickly.

She tilted her head up at him and kept her gaze steady. “I’m so glad I did.”

“No problem. Okay, let’s get you safely on your way.” He looked off into the distance and stuck his hands in his pockets. Why did he have the urge to grab her hand again? That wasn’t something you did with a business associate or a friend. They’d become friends after all, hadn’t they?

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