Page 52 of Meet Me in the Vines
He gives me one last peck and I slide back into the passenger seat, floating in bliss.
Donovan King loves me.
He flashes a playful wink before taking my hand in his.
“So, I have a winery tour at 2:00 p.m. and a private wine tasting party at 3:00. I also have a surprise for you in Noah’s garage when you get there.” There’s a glint in his eye because he knows I loathe surprises.
“Donovan!No surprises. You know I can’t handle them!” I laugh, covering my face with my hands.
“Baby, you’ll love this. I promise. When you’re done in town, come back to Noah’s house. I’m taking you out tonight.”
He waggles his brows, and I playfully hit his arm.
“Why do you do this to me?” I sigh out, and he kisses my hand.
“Because I love you,” he retorts.
Well, I can’t argue with that. He loves me and the teenage girl inside me is doing backflips.
I turn to face the passenger window and smile as I watch the lush green hills pass by in the background, thankful it’s not sky scrapers and thick city air.
I roll the window down and stick my body halfway out, leaning back as my top flies up, exposing my stomach and white lace bra.
“You’re beautiful, baby!” Donovan yells out to me, and I laugh without a care in the world.
The breeze blows my hair wild, and I close my eyes to appreciate this moment.
I’m free. Donovan loves me. And I’malive.
He laughs and holds my hand as I yell out unabashedly at the top of my lungs in the wind. I extend my free arm over my head, letting the California sun kiss my freckles.
Chapter Seventeen
AUDREY
Donovan drops me off, leaving me standing in front of the garage at Pop’s house. I lift the handle to slide the door up, and my chin nearly hits the floor.
It’s my Jeep Wrangler, Jules. It felt right to name my first car when I was sixteen. She was old when I got her, now she’s a bona fide antique. Still beautiful, though. I walk around and inspect her, seeing that nothing has changed. There are still little scuffs and tiny dents in the white paint, giving her a lived-in personality, like a fine patina. I open the hood and note the new engine.Nice.Walking around to the driver’s side door, I glimpse a picture of me and Tia on the dash from the day I got my license.
The happiest memories flood my brain of Tia and me driving through the hills, singing at the top of our lungs. I smile at the thought and raise my phone up to take a selfie in front of the Jeep. I text the picture to Tia.
Audrey
Look who is back in business, baby!
Tia
Holy shit! Is that Jules?! The O.G. Jules?! And wait, you’re home?!
A pang of guilt hits my chest, realizing that I’ve kept Tia in the dark about me leaving New York. She knew about Kellan, but not the details. She knew I wasn’t happy, and she insisted on me flying down to Austin to visit her, but I never did. I’d been a shit friend, but she always stood by my side all these years.
Audrey
Yeah, I’m home. It’s a lot to explain. I’ll have to call later, but yes. It’s Jules back to life.
Tia
As long as you’re okay, babe. Take that baby out for a ride! She needs to spread her legs!
