Page 34 of Her Supermodel Stalker
Tears well up in my eyes, and I nod. “Of course.” I wrap my arms around his neck and kiss him.
Chapter 16
Lexi
The Sunnywood Valley Wine Festival is an annual event in the area and a high point in its lives. The event attracts hundreds of vineyards and wineries in the state each year.
Tents pack the meadow of Valley Park, making a circle around the stage where a classical orchestra is playing at the moment. Various bands are lining up, though, to play throughout the day, including a jazz band from the Bay Area and a local mariachi band.
Besides wines, bakeries and restaurants are also here to promote their products. Aromas of barbeques and baked goods waft through the festival grounds.
Local artists, painters, sculptors, and potters, also take the chance to showcase their work.
Susie and I sit in our tent, handing out plastic cups of wine samples to visitors. Most of the tasting won’t lead to sales, but we are here mostly for fun. We brought the kids with us, too. My mom is working at the tent of Jay’s Vineyard.
Devin is wearing a dashing silver blue suit, getting ready to pose for pictures. His presence in the valley is no longer a secret, thanks to Amanda, who posted a photo of him outside Burger King with detailed footage exposing his whereabouts. Obviously, it’s her attempt to sabotage Devin’s effort to keep a low profile. It might be the reason our tent is unusually busy, and there are more than usual news reporters following the event as well. The Paparazzi haven’t stopped shooting pictures of him and our tent.
Devin’s reaction to that is magnanimous and calm. “Good for the business,” he says to us.
At lunchtime, Susie takes Devin to check out food stands nearby, a reporter of Sunnywood Valley Tribune shows up and interviews me. After asking some questions about our wines, her inquiries quickly turn to me and my son.
“Is Devin Gamble the father of your son?”
I stiffen at the question. “No.”
“Who’s his dad?”
“This is an inappropriate question to ask while my child is present,” I say.
“Oh, I apologize, but you don’t have to answer it,” the reporter says, jotting down notes without looking sorry at all.
Just then, a voice says, “I am his dad,” and I whip my head around to look at the man.
I gasp when I recognize Jackson. He’s grown into a mature man, with a beard along his jaw. His shoulders look broader than I remember, and his blond curls have turned a darker shade.
My stomach clenches. What does he want? Why is he here?
For a moment, I cannot speak. I simply fight the nauseating sensation in my gut. And involuntarily, I clutch Jimmy’s hand.
In the meantime, Jackson introduces himself and shakes hands with the reporter. The reporter looks back and forth between Jimmy and Jackson and smiles. “I can see the resemblance! Wow, this is interesting. Mr. Milhous, tell us the story between you with Mrs. Lane!”
“Oh, we go way back…You see, Lexi and I dated back in high school….”
He comes around to wrap his arm around my shoulders.
It’s then I come to my sense and snap out of my daze.
I push him away and shout. “Stop it! You have no right to call yourself the dad of my child. You wanted nothing to do with him!”
Even though music and laughter are loud around us, my voice still gets a lot of attention. Heads turn our way. I glance away and see Devin and Susan coming back.
Devin looks apprehensive and is next to me in no time. “What’s happening?”
He holds me in his arms and narrows his eyes at Jackson.
“This man says he’s my daddy!” Jimmy says.
Devin stiffens. It takes him a second to recognize the little known actor. “Please leave, Mr. Milhous. Lexi doesn’t want to see you.”
