Page 26 of Love Beyond the Illusion
“Yeah, man, I’m sorry.” Mason pats my shoulder. “You’re officially back in Northern California now, right?”
I nod.
“Oh, and Bailey told me that you and Piper hit it off in Vegas? How’d that happen?” Mason asks. He found that out fast. I wonder if Piper said something to Bailey. Something tells me that she didn’t tell her friend everything.
So, what am I supposed to say to mine?I married your girlfriend’s best friend in Vegas, and now I’m paying her to help me look good in the small town where I grew up, so it will be easier when I take over my family’s winery. Oh, and on top of that, I’d love to handcuff her to my bed and fuck her the entire night.
They wouldn’t even bat an eye at the last part. These guys are more vocal about their hookups and women than I am.
“That’s, uh, true. Yes.” My throat briefly runs dry.Should I tell them?No, I can’t.
The mention of her name weaves through my mind, and she’s threaded back once again. Piper is like a gust of lavender wind that’s whipped its way into my life. I thought this guys’ weekend would make me feel better, keeping my mind off the winery. But I’ve only arrived, and I’m consumed with those thoughts—and of her.
Harry swirls the ice around in his glass. “You guys are like into each other then?”
“I’m not sure,” I say vaguely. “We’re just hanging out.”
“Bailey and I werejusthanging out at first too.” Mason grins.
Harry slaps his knees. “Again, my fucking sister. It’s hard enough watching you guys together. I don’t need to hear about it all the time too.”
Mason laughs off Harry’s comment.
The dynamic between the two is a helpful distraction as I dodge their line of questioning about Piper. They know I’ve never been one to talk about the women I’ve been with. I’m more private than that.
“I’ve known Piper for a while, and she is, without a doubt, the more livelier one out of my sister’s friends,” Harry adds.
I rub my chin, thinking about her little attitude. “I can see that.”
I’d be lying to myself if I didn’t acknowledge being instantly infatuated with her. When I first saw Piper at Harry and Jess’s wedding last March, it took me a month for her to get out of my mind. When I ran into her and Bailey at the airport, I was even more intrigued when she followed me into the restaurant.
“Are you nervous about taking over your parents’ winery?” Mason asks.
Rubbing the back of my neck with my hand, I let my other rest on the back of the outdoor couch. “I am apprehensive. It’s always been my dad’s dream. I hope I can bring something of benefit.”
Harry bends his elbows on his knees. “Dude, you are a marketing genius. That skill alone will elevate you.”
Mason nods and sets his Jack and Coke on the table. “You have a business head. You’ll be extremely successful. But the question is, do you want it?”
“I don’t know, man.” I shrug.
“It sucks that as soon as I move back to Phoenix, you’re going back to Northern California,” Mason adds.
“I know. I’m going to miss it out here,” I say, popping an appetizer into my mouth. “I was in the process of buying a place too.”
Over the next few hours, the rest of the guys arrive, and by later on in the night, we’re all back into our rooms.
Chapter Eleven
Jack
I’llberentingavilla in Dupara while my house is in escrow. While lifting my suitcase from the trunk of my car, my phone vibrates in my pocket. The call is from Jacob, the new marketing strategist. He will take over the two accounts I’ve signed contracts with while I finish the one with a few loose ends.
“Hi, man, what’s going on?” I answer, shoving the phone into the corner of my neck.
“Sorry to bother you, Jack, but Amy withSpark,you know that new vegan restaurant downtown?”
“Yes?” I answer, remembering the high-maintenance, indecisive divorcée who specifically requested to work with me after stalking my LinkedIn profile for weeks before we had our first formal meeting.
