Page 33 of Meet Me in the Vines
“You’re welcome.”
Chapter Ten
AUDREY
My hand rests over my heart as I walk into Sip & Savor, Donovan trailing behind me. There are high-top tables spread throughout the shop with violet-colored cloths that drape to the floor. Very fitting. Lillies stand in crystal vases that scatter throughout the shop. Pictures of my gran in dainty gold frames hang on the walls, her smile adding a warmth to every corner of this place.
The space is large, enough to fit at least fifty people. In high school, mornings here would buzz with teenagers drinking coffee before class, hurriedly copying each other’s homework. I’d watch Donovan and his soccer teammates laughing down Main from my study table by the window. Sometimes they’d be accompanied by a bunch of girls—that made my insides twist with jealousy. He always had this town in the palm of his hand. The Prince of The Valley, Oakwood’s very own hometown hero.
And now he stands behind me. Not in my dreams, but in real life. It’s beautiful what they did. Whathedid. It’s beautiful how this town came together to celebrate my gran.
I turn to face him and smile softly. “It’s beautiful. She would’ve loved this. You did all of this?” I spin around and take in the atmosphere.
“Yeah. I mean me, my brothers, and Josie.”
Donovan bites back a smile, but a dimpled grin slips, and I turn away quickly before he can see the burn on my cheeks.
I see Wyatt and Kerry sitting at the bar, their eyes darting back and forth between Donovan and I, smirking. Wow, they’ve really grown up. They all have the same olive skin and chocolate brown hair, but slightly different builds.
I approach them and they both stand up to greet me. “Wow, Wyatt and Kerry King. You boys are no longer boys, huh?”
They smile and Kerry lifts me up in a hug, catching me by surprise. I catch Donovan scowling in my peripheral.
“Audrey! Welcome home. I hope you love the picture of Violet. I’m sorry for your loss,” Kerry says with a soft smile. He’s always been so sweet, even as a kid. It’s easy to feel at ease around him. He slowly puts me down as I pat his chest.
“Thank you, Kerry. The picture is beautiful. You’re so talented, truly,” I beam. His chest puffs with pride in response. He gazes over to Donovan, whose scowl has disappeared, replaced by the kind eyes of a proud big brother.
“Audrey, hey. I’m also sorry for your loss,” Wyatt says quietly, giving me a sympathetic look and a gentle touch on the elbow—not as affectionate as Kerry, but still appreciated.
“Thanks, Wyatt. And thank you guys so much for all of this,” my hands lift, gesturing to the whole shop. “It’s amazing.”
Donovan steps in and waves his brothers off. I’m assuming it’s sibling telepathy for “fuck off now.”
“Kerry put disposable cameras out for the guests. We’ll get the photos developed before you leave so you can always keep a piece of home with you.”
I can’t hide my smile. It’s all so thoughtful—it almost feels like my life isn’t a giant mess right now. “That’s a great idea. God, thank you so much. Kerry is the sweetest.”
Donovan fakes a pain in his chest. “No, no, no, you got it all wrong. I’m the sweet one, remember?”
A flash of my eighteen-year-old self, crying on the front porch steps, appears behind my eyes. A naive girl, waiting for an empty promise. I tear my gaze from Donovan before he can see the emotions stirring in me and see Josie on the stage, setting up a mic stand.
“I’m gonna say hi to Josie. If you’ll excuse me.”
I brush past him, our shoulders grazing. I can’t deny the electricity between us every time we touch, but no. He’s not the sweet one.
I keep reminding myself of the way he used me, the way he changed everything in one selfish evening. So why the hell is it so hard to stay mad at him? I’m stuck between my head and my heart. My head is screaming,“stay away,”but my heart…Donovan King did always know the way to my heart. But I’m not ready to forgive him yet. Not until I give him a piece of my mind. Tonight, it’s about Gran.
Josie and I mingle as people flood in the door. So many people are here—many I recognize, like my high school principal, Mr. Frommling, and Mrs. Dickson from the diner. I’ve never hugged more people in the span of ten minutes. Jackson pours wine tasting flights at the bar while Donovan and his brothers set them up on tables. Pop and Frank walk in and everyone claps, a gesture that melts my heart. Pop just smiles and waves as Frank’s arm wraps around him, showing him off like a prized bass.
I excuse myself from Josie and walk straight into Pop’s warm embrace. Why did I ever want to leave? Twenty-four hours here and my heart feels like it’s slowly piecing itself back together, even if Donovan makes me crazy. Apparently, I’ve got a thing for crazy.
Pop kisses the top of my head and slings his arm around my shoulder, turning us to face everyone in the room.
“Thank you all for joining us this evening to celebrate the most wonderful person I’ve…we’ve,” he looks down at me. “—ever known. Violet Winthrop was a force of nature and a gentle soul.” Pop’s eyes shift down towards Kerry’s picture of Gran, a tear streaming down his face. “She was the love of my life, and I am so proud to share this wine with you all tonight. And to make the night even better, my beautiful granddaughter is finally home.” I wipe the tears with my sleeve and kiss his cheek, his arm squeezing me tighter as everyone claps and cheers.
The night is lively and people are definitely getting tipsy—myself included. Every table has a variety flight with three of Gran’s favorite reds and whites. I’m two flights deep, avoiding Donovan like the plague. My goal with every glass of wine I consume tonight is to keep me away from that beautiful man who has my heart in a chokehold. My jaw ticks every time I see a new woman flirting and laughing with him, caressing his arm.
Hello, jealousy. Nice to meet you.
