Just a Kiss: The Single Girls Wine Club (A Wine Country Romance #1) (9 page)

Sarah parked in her usual reserved space in the back alley of the café. Grateful for her spot, she wouldn’t have been able to get anywhere near the jammed plaza.

She let herself into the quiet café and took her time putting the finishing touches on her cookie presentation. After creating fresh lavender and thyme bundles and tying them off with raffia, she used them to decorate the borders of her trays. Manny started setting up a few hours earlier and would have more herbs and fresh roses at the plaza. If anything needed more garnishing, she’d do it the festival. She gave herself a quick once-over in the mirror before carefully lifting the serving platters and heading across the street. The magical setting didn’t look anything like she imagined.

Thousands of tiny white sparkling lights illuminated Sonoma Plaza. The moon showed off by going Full Harvest. All of the work from the days and weeks before paid off and Sarah relished every detail during the short jaunt to her booth. Huge boughs of grapevines elaborately adorned the tables lining the paths around the two-acre party area. An arbor covered with pink colored grape cluster lights draped over a sixty by sixty-foot dance floor. Enormous displays of sunflowers of at least forty stems each, nestled in tall galvanized metal vases. Leafy grape vines spilled down from the edges.

Dave Martin’s House Party took the stage for their first set. Most of the town’s wineries were on hand. Cline, Jacuzzi, B.R. Cohn, Ledson, Buena Vista, Sebastiani, Gloria Ferrer, Landmark, Benziger, Larson, Passagio and their staffs were enthusiastically unloading cases and popping corks near Sarah's space.

She couldn’t dream of a more enchanting setting and hoped she’d be able to sneak a dance with Jamie. She came to the tented Vine Café booth and found Manny. He had his back to her as he unpacked a white tablecloth and smoothed the edges over the table and turned. “Dude, you look hot!”

“Thanks, Manny, but do you have to call me dude? Couldn’t I be a dudette just for tonight?”

Danica had talked her into wearing her hair down, and Sarah had let her style it, making it thick, shiny and full of waves. She had settled on wearing a black sheath dress that hit just above the knee and cut away at the shoulders. During the walk over, Sarah had practically skipped in her new Stuart Weitzman heels, thrilled that they were low enough to move around in on the grass, but still super cute.

“Let’s do this.” Sarah beamed, reaching for the supplies Manny had brought. Together they filled small vases with the boughs of thyme and lavender on the table. The same herbs she used in her cookies and around her trays now filled the tent with fragrance.

The sounds of laughter, clinking glasses, uncorking bottles, and music wafted through the open air while the vintners and restaurateurs put the finishing touches on their booths. They were all a few feet away from each other.

The Santino Winery booth wasn't directly across from Sarah’s but easily within her sight line. Jamie’s unmistakable laugh rang out, and she strained to get a glimpse of him. Sarah froze when she saw him in black dress slacks, a dark gray shirt with an open collar, and a jacket that matched. He’d apparently spent more time than usual on his hair because she'd never seen it styled back so neatly. She felt a little intimidated by his utter and complete gorgeousness. He looked so formal, just like the Jamie from all the magazine covers and so unlike the Jamie she knew from the café.

She found her heart in her thighs and peeped under a low hanging branch to get a better view. She could just make out the corner of his dimple when she heard his deep belly laugh again. It sounded like all six Santino brothers were there. Those loud testosterone laden roars coming from the booth could only originate from men entirely comfortable with each other. It wouldn’t be long before the honeys gathered.

After putting the final flourishes on another platter, Sarah peered again hoping to get Jamie’s attention but caught someone else throwing daggers in her direction. She flinched when the black-brown eyes glared menacingly, and the dark-haired beauty tossed an obnoxious smirk. The woman’s stare moved adoringly on to Jamie, and the full picture came into view.

The focus of the uproarious laughter coming from the Santino brothers centered on the voluptuous, raven-haired actress, Nikki Lean. Jamie had his arm around her. They. Were. Together.

Sarah's heart fell to the ground, and she took a giant step back into the dark recesses of the enclosure. She kept her head down and pursed her lips to stop her chin from quivering. Through her rapidly filling eyes, she scanned for her purse in the pitch black and wanted to bail. There was no way she could get through this night with all of
that
going on ten feet away from her.

She should’ve listened to her instincts after the elevator incident. Jamie
had
just been flirting with her or playing, or whatever it was that actors called making out with people and leading them on.

She didn’t know how to play this game. Some women could, but not her. She didn’t know how to pretend she didn’t care when she did.

Staying out of the light in the back of the tent, she fought for composure. She couldn’t bear it if anyone found her holding back tears and trembling like a scorned teenager in the middle of what was supposed to be a fantastic night for her new business.

She heard Danica, Juliet and Lulu approaching. Putting her best fake smile on, she moved to the front to greet them. “Doesn’t the plaza look spectacular?” Sarah said.

Lulu nodded in agreement. “They outdo themselves every year.” She wore her shiny gray hair swept into an elegant bun, and her dark purple sweater set with a faux fur collar fit perfectly. Gigantic strands of white pearls hugged her neck with rows of multicolored gemstone bracelets covering her wrist. Rubbing her hands together, she said, “Who’s pouring, and it better be something stronger than wine.” She wrapped her arms around Sarah’s waist for a hug. “I need to take a bit of the cold off before I get started.”

“I’ll keep you warm,” Sarah said embracing her tightly. “I’m not expecting you to help. I’m just glad you made it.” Sarah smiled at Danica and Juliet, her arms still around Lulu. “You two look incredible.”

Juliet gave a sly smile and twirled. “You like? See, I can clean up with the best of ‘em.” She’d squeezed into the tightest of her “booty” cut jeans, and the tips of high heeled black boots peeked from underneath the hem. A pale pink, sequin scarf circled the collar of her black leather jacket, contrasted with her dark hair for a stunning effect.

Danica wore her usual work-play outfit of black pants and white silk blouse but had added a faux fur black bolero jacket for warmth, fastened with a vintage rhinestone brooch. She reached into her purse, slicked on a quick coat of fire red lipstick and surveyed the surroundings. “Santino sighting yet?” she asked Sarah.

Sarah used her head to point and whispered, “My two o’clock.”

“Uh, ah…I see ‘em.” Danica squinted. “Who’s the broad with Jamie?”

Sarah scanned Jamie’s area. “The end of my dreams.”

“That’s Nikki Lean, Jamie’s co-star,” Juliet said. “I interviewed her last year.”

Danica and Juliet turned back to Sarah and gave her the once-over, almost a diagnosis by glance, then turned to each other.

“It’s just a business thing,” Juliet said. “That’s the only reason she’s here.” She quickly changed the subject. “They’re taking tickets now and letting people in, do you want me to stand behind the table or out in front?”

“Let’s start by getting Lulu settled and don’t give me grief, Lulu.” Sarah called out to Manny, “Would you grab a chair?”

Manny broke away from the Chocolate Cow booth and the girls five feet away next door. “Sure thing,” he said.

Sarah reviewed her list and touched Lulu’s elbow. “Okay, you can sit, stand, mingle, dance or whatever. Just please let us know if you get tired, all right?”

Lulu nodded at Sarah.

“Danica, would you and Juliet please stand in front? I have some Vine Café gift cards for a free coffee on the tray. Each patron can grab a napkin, a cookie, and you can offer a card. Please don't forget, I spent a fortune on them.”

“Aye, aye, sir,” Danica said.

Juliet saluted. “Is there anything else?”

Sarah furrowed her brow. “The cookies are made using local organic ingredients. The butter is from Clover Farms, thyme and lavender from Lavender Hill, and the extracts are from Sonoma Simple Syrup if anyone asks. I think that’s it.”

Manny brought a chair for Lulu and placed it behind the table near Sarah. Juliet and Danica gave him a quick greeting before heading out with their trays.

“You did good Sarah,” Manny said.

“Thanks, Manny, so did you and thanks for all those extra hours last night,” Sarah said. “I owe you big time.”

He clutched his heart and winked. “Hey, anything for love.”

Sarah raised her shoulders. “Not so sure it’s love.”

“How many times do I have to tell you, Sarah?” Manny put his hands on his hips. “I can sense these things. But last night, I got slapped in the face from the heat you two were putting out.”

“Hardly,” Sarah said.

“Whaddaya think I am, blind? You guys were so thick last night, I felt like I was walking into a strip club.” Manny’s eye caught something.

"We weren’t doing anything–”

“Well look who’s here?” Manny reached for Jamie’s hand. “We were just talking about you, bro.”

“Hope it’s good.” Jamie shook Manny’s hand. “You look delectable,” he said to Sarah.

“What did I tell you?” Manny whispered to Sarah. “Gotta jam.” He grabbed a serving tray full of cookies and took off.

“You are way too, far away from me.” Jamie leaned over the table. “I’ve missed you.” He flashed a dazzling smile and relocated behind the serving table next to her. He stopped before he reached her and stood staring at her. She searched for anything else to look at, but the expectant expression on his face blocked her view.

All the charisma Jamie poured over movie audiences on the big screen hit her like a rogue wave, and she could’ve drowned. He even smelled intoxicating. Whatever brand of aftershave he used made her knees wobble.

“You’re exquisite, Sarah,” he said. He stroked his throat like he was wearing an uncomfortable tie. “Unbelievable.”

“Hi Jamie,” Sarah said quietly.

“Don’t you want to kiss me?” He reached out to caress her shoulder.

She studied him.

“Don’t you miss our kisses?” he asked, leaning in. “Like this?” He softly brushed her lower lip with his tongue.

They were right back to where they left off yesterday. Sarah blissfully spiraled into the mix of everything Jamie gave her with his mouth as he wrapped his arms around her waist. Still kissing, he walked forward, guiding her backward deeper into the tent, away from the light and the people outside.

“I came over the second I saw you.” He stroked the back of her neck with his hand under her hair, and she stretched into his touch. “I couldn’t wait to kiss you,” he purred. “I want you to meet my dad, and my brothers are here. Can you leave the booth for a second?”

“Jamie! Jamie!” A distinguished but unidentifiable accented voice broke the spell.

“Crap,” Jamie muttered, stepping away from Sarah. “Nick, over here,” he said.

“There you are my sweet.” The other woman barged around the table and sidled next to Jamie, draping an arm around his waist.

This is not good.
Sarah examined the bombshell in her booth. She’d seen Nikki Lean in movies and never gave her much thought, never had any reason to, until now. She looked even prettier and more glamorous in person with flawless olive skin, lashes that went on forever over rich, dark brown eyes. A tight spandex and something dress hugged her firm curvy body. She was everything Sarah wasn’t —a frighteningly perfect picture of trouble.

“Sarah, this is Nikki Lean, my co-star,” Jamie offered as if she didn't know.

“Oh, you’re just so very sweet. This is the one helping you?” Nikki asked, turning her nose up like she found a bad smell.

Sarah hated being referred to in the third person, especially when she was standing right there, especially at the very first meeting, especially when Nikki Lean did it.

“Nice to meet you,” Sarah said, not even bothering to force half a smile.

“I’m going to have to steal Jamie from you,” Nikki said getting right in front of his face. She didn’t turn a fraction of an inch to acknowledge Sarah. “The photographer is here, hon. He wants some snaps.”

She grabbed Jamie’s face and squeezed his cheeks with one hand while making goofy, smooshing sounds. “Oh, how did I get so lucky?” Nikki fawned. Jamie tilted his head to the sky. “He’s just so handsome. Right, Sarah?”

Sarah caught an ornery glint from the diva as Jamie scuffled out of Nikki’s grip.

He shrugged. “Gotta go, babe, duty calls.” He gave Sarah a quick peck and then whispered, “Come by our booth when you have a minute.”

And poof, just like that, Jamie got swept away with the witch who rolled into sublime Sonoma like a nasty sandstorm.

She watched them head back to the commotion of the Santino tent hearing the click, click, click of the photographer’s camera capturing Jamie and Nikki’s movements. A large group amassed around them.

Distracting herself by refreshing her trays and shooting the breeze with patrons, Sarah kept busy doing anything she could to prevent her from surveying Jamie and his costar.
When would Manny, Juliet, and Danica be back for relief duty?
She didn’t know where she’d go once they got there, but she definitely didn’t want to be stuck behind a table forced to watch those two beautiful people. They had their arms around each other now.

Jamie looked down at Nikki, who affectionately swooned in response. Sarah shifted. Now, they were smiling nose to nose while the photographer quickly snapped shots. Flashes from the camera lit the crowd with quick bursts of bright illumination. The crowd became louder and more excited every time the camera flashed.

The purple Love Song roses in a jug of water on the floor didn’t hold any appeal to her. Although she’d bought extra, and planned to use them to refresh the decorations in the booth throughout the night, she wasn’t into it anymore. She kept her gaze on the flowers and the crowd cheered and broke into a roar. Sarah glanced up and saw the blinding burst of a flash catch Jamie and Nikki in a kiss as clear and bright as daylight.