Page 74 of Meet Me in the Vines
DONOVAN
The sun sets just beyond the hill as we all sit around a fire pit in my parents’ backyard. The vines stretch for miles, contrasting against the pink and orange hues that paint the sky. Audrey’s pallid skin softly glows against the embers, a ring of gold forming around her irises. Her moonbeam smile holds my attention, completely blocking out everything and everyone around me.
“Donovan? Earth to D?” Logan’s elbow nudges my arm, knocking me out of my love trance.
“Yeah? What’s up?” I answer back, my eyes locked on Audrey as she and Tia laugh across the fire pit. This is the very place where we almost kissed for the first time. Our faces were so close I could feel the shudder in her breath when it brushed across my lips. Now, I get to kiss those lips anytime I want to.
“Damn, brother. You’ve got it so bad. What’s it like?” he teases me, putting his hands under his chin and batting his lashes. I snort under my breath and shove him by the shoulder. “Shut the fuck up, man,” I retort, shaking my head.
Logan knows how long I’ve had it bad for Audrey. He’s the first person I ever told about how I felt about her.
We were ten. I went to work with my dad one day that summer, and there she was—reading a book on the Juliet balcony outside her room, hair in a single braid draped over one shoulder.
She must’ve read something endearing in the way her mouth curved upward, striking a direct arrow into my heart. Her eyes glowed with wonder, like whatever words she read on the page were better than whatever else was happening around her in reality. The sparkle in her gaze drew me in, experiencing her undeniable pull for the first time.
I decided right then and there that Audrey Winthrop was the most intriguing girl I’d ever laid eyes on. She didn’t once look up at me, but man, she was the prettiest girl I’d ever seen. Logan came over to play video games that night and I said very matter-of-fact, “I think I’m in love.”
“Seriously though, D. I’m happy for you. You finally got your dream girl,” he smiles. She really was just a dream for so long. Out of reach, out of touch. Just a movie in my head when I’d close my eyes at night, seeing her face before I’d drift off. It still feels like a dream, only better. It’s real. It’s concrete. Now when I drift off, it’s her face in front of me, not just in my head. And when I wake up, there she is. My dream girl.
“Thanks, brother. Now what about you? You seeing anyone?” I ask, sipping on my beer. He leans back in his chair and stretches his arms behind his head. Logan was known as quite the playboy back in the day, and he definitely carried that reputation all the way to Texas.
“Ah, you know I love my horseshoe honeys,” he chuckles. “But nah. No one serious at the moment,” he replies, his eyes focused on the fire.
I’d gone to visit a handful of times over the years. Logan insisted I’d come during rodeo season to meet the “horseshoe honeys,” his infamous moniker for the never-ending roster ofgirls he met there. Now, those Texas girls were attractive, but none held a candle to Audrey. Not even close.
“We’re pushing thirty, Harper. Don’t you wanna find someone and settle?” I ask, grinning against the opening of my bottle. He scoffs and takes a long pull from his beer. Logan? Settling? I’m stupid to ask. “I’ll leave the settling to you, baby boy,” he teases. We wink in unison and cheers the necks of our beers.
“So when are you gonna put a ring on it?” he asks, glancing at Audrey. Ah, there it is. The marriage talk. If I wasn’t so drop dead in love with her, I’d probably get annoyed. But the thought of marriage with Audrey only makes my insides flutter. I wanted to make her my wife the second I saw her at Sip & Savor.
“Honestly? I want to soon, man,” I admit. I like the sound of it once it leaves my mouth. Mrs. Audrey King? Yeah, that’s it.
He blows out a whistle, taking another pull from his beer. I knew I’d marry her the minute she kneed me in the groin—the pain was blinding, but our future was clear. For every hope she shared, I’d be there to support her, no matter what. Every tear she’d shed, I’d be the one to catch it. Every kiss we’d had, I’d savor it. There’s not a doubt in my mind that the woman sitting across the flames with those shining green eyes is my wife. There never was.
“That’s crazy, D. But fucking awesome. Can I be your best man?” he jests, flashing me a cheeky grin.
I point my beer toward Wyatt, who’s deep in conversation with Noah. Logan’s eyes follow, and when he turns back to face me, he pats my shoulder and cups the side of my face.
“He would love that, brother,” he beams, playfully pinching my cheek. I look over at Wyatt and my chest squeezes with adoration for my little brother. Despite his broody, grumpy nature, he’s my best friend through and through. I love both ofmy brothers the same, but Wyatt keeps me steady. When the going gets rough, it’s Wyatt who holds me together.
My eyes flit to my dad, who’s listening intently to Audrey and Tia telling a story to my mom. We haven’t exchanged many words tonight—clearly, neither of us is making an effort to talk. But at least he’s not being an ass toward Audrey. That’s all I care about.
I watch her giggle, her cheeks flushed from the wine. Would she want this type of life with me? Married, kids, Sunday dinners? I know one thing for sure. She’s the only girl I’m ever bringing home to my family.
“Oh my god! The cinnamon rolls!” Audrey gasps, scrunching her hands in her hair. She stands up, looking at me over the fire.
“Donovan, can you help me, please?” I put my beer down and give her a nod, standing from my chair.
“Please excuse us. I made dessert for you all,” she chirps. Appreciative cheers echo around the firepit. Audrey plays coy, covering her cheeks with her hands.
She walks toward me and holds out her hand. I can tell she’s tipsy by her giggles and the way she stumbles on her way to me.
Once her hand is in mine, I realize that I’ve been missing her touch all night. Our fingers lace together and I pull her closer to bask in her intoxicating scent. It’s wildflowers and white wine, packed together like a drug I can’t get enough of.
The hem of her baby blue cotton dress flips up in the breeze, exposing her lean legs. I want those legs wrapped around me. My dick strains against my jeans when I see her nipples bud through her dress, knowing full well she isn’t wearing a bra.
Why does she do this to me?
As soon as we cross the threshold into the house, my lips are on her so fast she doesn’t have a second to think. Her hands rake through my hair and she tugs hard, earning a groan from deep inside my chest.
