Page 103 of Love Among Vines

Elaine squeezed her hand.

Rett shook his head. “Come on,” he said to Jade.

“Bye,” she said over her shoulder.

“You don’t need to help with the party,” he said as soon as the door shut behind them. “I don’t want to interfere with your mural time.”

Jade laughed. “Margie kicks me out of the café every day at two. What else am I supposed to do?”

“Study for your driver’s test? Find a new place to live? Practice with your paints?” he suggested.

“None of that will help you convince your parents you’re seeing someone,” she reminded him. “If I clock face time with your employees, friends, and the townspeople, they’ll be more likely to have a favorable impression of me. It’s not enough for them to know I exist. They should like me.”

She paused to gauge his reaction. Did he still feel the same way about their initial plan?

“You have a point,” he said as they crossed the parking lot to the truck. “As long as it doesn’t interfere with your studies.”

“Yes, Father,” she said mockingly. “If only they would allow women into the university instead of forcing me into a lifetime of feminine hobbies of needlepoint and embroidery.”

“Get in the truck,” he ordered, but he was smiling.

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

RETT

An hour later,they rolled into town with Penny panting happily between them. The town square was decorated top to bottom with pennant banners, booths, and buckets full of vibrant fall flowers. A sign over Shethar Street proudly proclaimed Hammondsport Fall Festival.

Rett couldn’t take his eyes off Jade as they walked from the parking lot. Sunshine brought out a copper glint in her hair. Her lips were a distraction, her eyes a labyrinth.

Last night had been amazing. They had come together like they had known each other for eons. She had deftly and methodically lit every cell in his body on fire. It had been worth every painful second of waiting.

Something felt different this morning. They only had a week left to explore each other. And she still had a lot of learning to do before he set her loose. The date had failed to awaken her spark, so they needed to talk more seriously about alternate careers.

Graphic design was the easy choice for her. With a handful of à la carte classes, she would be a master in no time. With a refresher on interview skills and a new resume, she would be unstoppable.

And then there was the fact that graphic design could be done anywhere. She could even stay here, if she wanted. But that would complicate things.

Besides, she wanted to go back to the city. That had always been her plan. It was home for her. So why did the idea of watching her leave put his stomach in knots?

“Do you run often?” Jade asked as they approached the registration booth.

He almost jumped at the question. “Not really. I mostly lift weights.”

“So no cardio?” She raised her eyebrows.

“A little boxing here and there. But not much.”

Her lips pressed together like she was suppressing a smile. “And you thought you’d just wake up and run three miles with no training or conditioning?” she asked carefully.

His arms crossed over his chest. He was in great shape. He did strength training almost every day. “Sure. How hard can it be?”

“I’m sure you’re right,” she said.

They walked up to the registration counter and secured their numbers.

“Allow me.” He brushed her ponytail out of the way and slid a hand under the back of her T-shirt. In seconds, the number was safety pinned to her back. He finished with a quick kiss on her neck. She smelled like sunshine.

Cindy rushed over with Tom in tow. “I’m so glad you guys are running. How did you convince Rett?”

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