“Poor kid, I tried to make her normal, but she had to follow in your footsteps.”
He gives me an unamused look.
“Either way, explain to me this need to buy all the vineyards in the world?”
He tilts his head toward the bar. “Follow me.”
Sometimes, despite my best efforts, life puts me in front of the person I’ve been trying to avoid for a long time. When we reach the bar, I come face-to-face with Autumn Wickerton.
Fuck.
Chapter Twenty
Zach
I feel like a twelve-year-old boy who’s about to talk to the girl he has a crush on. Not that I have a crush on Autumn Wickerton.
You fucking liar. You’ve been having wet dreams of her and feeling guilty because she has replaced the nightmares.
Okay, I must confess that I like her more than enough. She’s a gorgeous woman. She looks super sexy, punching numbers on the register and sucking her lower lip. Under different circumstances, I would be asking for her number.
Not sure what those circumstances are, plus I have her in my contacts. I still remember her last message. You’re fun to be around too. Call me if you want to hang out again.
I don’t know if that was a friendly opening or a flirty text. It’s been so long since the last time I dated or texted someone intending to flirt or score a date.
Seth was right. She deserves better.
Anyone deserves better than me.
When we approach the counter, Burke talks immediately. “What do women drink the most? Would you say wine because it’s sexy?”
He leans closer, throwing the signature smirk that makes me want to punch him. “You’re sexy. Do you drink wine?”
Is he for fucking real? Autumn glances at him and yawns. I should interrupt this charade, but instead, I cross my arms and watch him make a fool of himself. If I’m lucky, she might hand him his ass, and I have a front-row seat to the show.
Autumn glares at him. “Aren’t you a little too old to be pranking people, Zach?”
Wait, didn’t she spew some shit about knowing the difference between us because of our eye color? We don’t have the same voice. He’s slightly taller than I am. Also, she has seen me in the past six months.
“I’m Zach,” I protest.
She reaches for a rag and wipes the counter. “Are you sure? Because if I recall, the one who initiated the pranks was Zach, not Burke.”
“You know us?” My brother takes a step back.
I wink at Autumn. “Maybe you need to keep track of the women you sleep with, brother.”
She touches the base of her neck and gasps. “Wow, I wasn’t memorable enough. You even proposed to me. Not that it matters, you never called me back.”
“O-of course, I remember you. You wouldn’t think I forgot, would you?”
Autumn scoffs. “Then what happened? I’ve been waiting”—she pauses, leaning closer—“for years.”
She’s a good actress, and just when I think it’s over, she pushes a little further. “Wow. I still haven’t told my brother about us and how you…took my virginity,” she whispers the last three words. “How can his best friend do that to him? He’s not going to be happy when he learns that you don’t even remember me.”
“I…I…”
My brother is speechless. I don’t think I’ve laughed like this in such a long time. My chest loosens up from the tension it’s been holding for years.
My brother snaps from his little trance, and says, “Wait a second, Maddox doesn’t have a sister. Who are you?”
“Maddox Curtis is your best friend? You need to learn how to choose your friends.” Autumn scrunches her nose.
I agree with her. Maddox is sketchy at best. We’ve known him since elementary school, and he’s glued to my brother’s side like a parasite.
“He’s not my best friend, but one of my closest. He’d be the only one who I’d consider close other than Seth or my brothers, and…it doesn’t matter. Who are you again?”
“Aiden Wickerton’s sister,” she answers.
“Autumn, he’s Burke. Burke, this is Aiden’s little sister. Autumn. She used to hang out with Piper and Archer sometimes.”
Burke nods absently. There will be a time when we can say our brother’s name without losing our speech. One day, I hope.
“What can I serve you?” Autumn asks, moving the conversation along.
Instead of answering that, Burke says, “Are you sure you’re Autumn Wick?”
“Wickerton,” she corrects him. “My last name is Wickerton, not Wick.”
“Damn, girl, you grew up to—” I punch him on the arm before he says anything stupid.
“Ouch, what’s your problem?”
“This is Autumn, not some bimbo you met at the bar.”
“We’re at a bar.”
She rolls her eyes. “You two are a couple of immature playboys.”
Ouch.
“Listen, I’m working, and I can’t afford to piss off my boss because you two think this is some kind of high school reunion or a game.”
We know the owners of Silvermoon. I don’t see either of them scolding her for talking to us, but if they witness this, they might kick us out because it’s us. We’re lucky to have known them since we were kids and unlucky because they still treat us as if we were their children.
“It’s not a game. I bought a vineyard, and since you’re a bartender, I think you can answer a few questions.”
She crosses her arms and arches an eyebrow.
“Would you say women prefer wine?”
“That’s a sexist question.”
“I didn’t mean it that way. Maybe I should’ve asked when women order drinks, do most of them order wine?”
“I don’t keep track of what people order. I’m here to pour and mix drinks.”
“You’ll excuse my brother, but he’s buying all the vineyards in the world so he can please women who apparently only drink wine.”
She laughs. I love that she’s enjoying herself even when it’s at our expense.
A few lines appear on her forehead, and her eyes fill with worry. “Wait, what’s going to happen to RCC?”
He frowns. “Nothing.”
“You’re selling it, aren’t you?”
Before she starts an inquisition, I say, “This just shows you that I’m not the only one who believes you’re losing your shit and probably thinking about selling RCC and becoming a farmer.”
“It’s a vineyard, not a farm.” His attention goes back to Autumn. “Not that you need to know about my company, but I wouldn’t sell it.”
She sighs with relief.
“Well, if your only motive is so women can fall at your feet, I think it’s dumb. You’re a St. James. Women drop at your feet because you’re hot and important. Now, make yourself scarce. I have work to do.”
I don’t want to move. I’m not ready to let her go because after today, I might not see her for months. “Pour me two fingers of Macallan, please.”
“Same for me, please,” Burke requests.
He leans closer to me. “I can’t believe that’s Aiden’s little sister. She’s—”
“Shut the fuck up!”
He smirks. “Interesting. I’m pushing some buttons here. Are we interested in little Autumn Wick? If not, I can make a move.”
“No, she has too much happening to entertain an asshole like you.”
“You used to be an asshole like me. Actually, you majored in assholiness up until”—he looks around and tilts his head before moving closer to me—“Listen, maybe it’s time for you to start looking for some fun and leave the celibacy for someone else.”
“I don’t see the point.”
“Do you plan on punishing yourself for the next twenty years, or just for a few more months?”
“Burke,” I say his name as a warning.
“I’m just trying to understand you. A normal person would be seeking therapy after losing the love of their life.” He glances aroun
d and lowers his voice. How I wish we were at another bar where the music was louder so we didn’t have to talk. “I’m using that term loosely because I don’t believe for a second that you two were meant for each other. She wasn’t your soul mate.”
“You’re a soul mate expert?”
“No, but a soul mate has to be your partner. Not a toddler who throws hissy fits when she doesn’t get her way. She should’ve been a lot more understanding about your role in the family. She never tried to be a part of us even when we welcomed her. She hated me. Sometimes, I wonder if you’re keeping that hate alive.”
“I don’t hate you. You don’t know shit about my relationship. You’ve never dated in your life. Ever.”
“Because like you, my parents are Donovan and Florence St. James. They’re the worst example of love. Why attempt to do it when I know I’m going to fail?”
“They’re loving parents.”
“Not the point.”
“Then what are you trying to tell me?”
“I love you, but I don’t get your grief and your celibacy. I can’t stand behind it. You were married to Calliope for six months, and you knew her for a total of three months before marrying her. If the grief is a ratio of 1:3, meaning for one year of knowing her, you’ve grieved her three, you’re over—”
We’re interrupted by a loud thunk followed by glasses clinking. “Here are your drinks, and let me tell you that you’re wrong. There’s no such thing as a mathematical grieving formula. That’s stupid. You can’t measure that.”
I grin. “Two out of two. Not all women drink wine, and you can’t be serious about the moving on theory.”
He points his finger between Autumn and me. “Maybe you two are made for each other. Women might not love wine, but they find vineyards romantic. I can bring the flavor of the weekend to my vineyard and have fun.”
He glances between the two of us and adds, “If you two ever plan a romantic weekend, don’t ask to borrow my place.”
“I plan on taking her somewhere romantic, not my brother’s brothel.”
Autumn scrunches her nose. “Being a playboy is so overrated. You should find another hobby.”
“Then you should go out with my brother. He likes to go steady.”
I scratch my head. “Which brother?”
“You. You’re the only one who believes in relationships. The rest of us are aware that love sucks.”
She looks over at Burke and says, “You should try therapy. It’s cheaper than buying vineyards.”
A petite redhead walks between us, rubbing her chest against my arm and her ass against Burke’s crotch. “Hi,” she greets Autumn.
“Well, hello there, I didn’t see you.” Burke smiles at her. “What’s your poison?”
“Red wine.”
He grins. “Can we get a glass of 2016 Château Pape Clément or 2017 Kingpin Cabernet Sauvignon? We’ll be at the table.”
Autumn stares at Burke as he walks away with the redhead next to him. “Who broke his heart?”
I shrug one shoulder. “Surprisingly, no one.”
“Self-made asshole?”
“Probably, but then again, we’re all our father’s sons.”
“Right, who can forget their infamous divorce?”
“It left everyone broken. How’s Matilda?”
“She’s doing well.”
“Cryptic. How are you?”
“Busy. I don’t have time to socialize.” She shoos me with the rag she’s been using to clean the counter.
“I’m not a fly.”
She looks around. “You could be a barfly.”
I laugh. “Isn’t that a 90s term?”
“Probably. Mom uses it often.”
I lean closer, finish my drink, and set the glass on the counter. “So…what time are you off?”
“Two.” She points at the clock set on the third shelf next to the vodkas. “If you’re planning to wait for me, you might as well plan on getting hammered.”
“Okay, see you then,” I say, walking away.
I’m trying to decide if I’ll wait for her or not. Why would I stay? I guess I need my Autumn fix. A few hours, and I’ll be gone from her life again. We could discuss those designs she never sent me. I want to help her. I’m sure her financial situation hasn’t changed much. It’s only been a couple of months since the last time we saw each other.
A voice that sounds almost like Seth’s whispers in my head to leave now. She doesn’t need to deal with your issues.
I don’t listen to it because it’s only one day.
Chapter Twenty-One
Autumn
It’s two fifteen when I’m heading out the door. Charlie, one of the bouncers, points toward the employee’s room. “Someone is waiting for you.”
I look around to see if there’s anyone else beside or behind me. Nope. I’m the only one. “Me?”
“Yeah. He was with the bosses upstairs until they left.”
I look toward the stairs leading to the private room where the owners or their family members sometimes hang out. Which one of the Deckers is waiting for me and why? Did Zach or Burke complain about me? Assholes. That’s what I get for not indulging wealthy idiots.
Before I head to the slaughterhouse, I have to ask, “Is everything okay?”
He shrugs. “How would I know? If he gives you any trouble, come to me.”
I scratch my temple. Why would he offer to help me if the person waiting for me causes any trouble?
“Okay, thank you.”
My mouth dries. I want to skip the employee room, but I make my way there.
I feel a sudden lightness when I spot Zach. He nurses a glass of what I think is water since alcohol isn’t allowed outside of the bars. He’s either playing a game on his phone, watching something, or working. Probably the latter. My brother works from his phone often. I don’t understand how he can do it, but I’m not judging.
“Hey,” I greet him.
He looks up and smiles. His eyes sparkle. Ah, that panty-melting smirk that the St. James brothers share is powerful.
“Hi.” His voice is low and rumbles inside me.
Why is it that everything about Zachary St. James makes my body react? I don’t have this same reaction to his brother or any other man. It’s him.
“I was worried when Charlie told me someone was waiting for me.”
His eyes are on me as he stands up. “How so?”
“No one ever waits for me. Plus, Charlie said you were with the bosses. I thought they were going to fire me.”
He shakes his head. “Why would they do that?”
“Because I wasn’t nice to some patrons. Like you and Burke.”
He grins lazily at me. “Don’t forget we’re like their children. If we complain, they might ban us from Silvermoon for harassing their employees. Ready to leave?”
I nod. “Thank you for staying. Have you been here long?”
“Waiting for you? No. There was a concert in the live stage bar. Sinners of Seattle and Too Far From Grace had a Valentine’s Day concert. I hung out with Seth and his sister who were here to watch them. My cousin, Byron, was around too since he manages Too Far From Grace.”
Okay, so he wasn’t here alone while I worked. Somehow that makes me feel better. Knowing that he stayed for me makes my insides swoon, which is wrong in so many ways. Burke made it clear that his brother is pining for his late wife. Zach told me that his relationship had been a clusterfuck up until the day she died. One of them is wrong, and I should probably stay away instead of trying to unveil the truth.
“Let’s get moving,” he suggests.
“Of course, my car is in the employee parking lot.”
He shakes his head. “Why don’t I drive us, and we can come back for your car tomorrow morning? My car is waiting outside.”
“I don’t want to inconvenience you.”
“This is the least I could do after Burke and I interrupted your workday.”
“Sure, why not?”
“Wow, don’t sound so thrilled about my offer.”
I yawn. “Hey, I’m super tired. I spent part of my day baking Valentine’s Day cookies for Matilda’s school and her after-school activities.”
“Where is she?”
“At Moms. Most Saturdays, she stays with Miranda and Aiden. Except when they leave town.”
“Valentine’s Day getaway?”
I nod, covering my mouth as I try to control the yawning attack. Once we’re in the car, I say, “Thank you for the ride. I guess I needed it more than I thought.”
I lean back on the seat and close my eyes, resting them for a second.
“Wake up, sleepyhead.” A low and throaty voice interrupts what could be one of the best dreams I’ve had in years.
Zachary St. James was kissing me. I could feel his heat burning my skin. Unfortunately, someone dragged me out of my dream before his big hands slid down my body and touched me.
When I open my eyes, I see him. Zach.
His gorgeous, sparkly brown eyes stare at me.
I blink a couple of times and realize that I’m in his car. He’s resting a hand on the passenger door.
“You’re bone-tired.”
I move my neck, stretch slightly, and take off my seat belt. “Probably.”
“So, I didn’t want to wake you up, and you failed to tell me where you live.”
I flinch. “Sorry.”
“It’s fine. Since no one is at home waiting, I took the liberty of bringing you to Burke’s. He has a guest room.”
“Any other day, I’d fight you, but I’m too tired, and it’ll be easier to pick up my car if I stay.”
He grins as if I just made his day.
We enter through the garage. The lights are dim. I think I’m walking into the living room because there are couches and a coffee table in the center. However, it’s hard to make out the color of the walls or the furniture. “You can take your shoes off and leave them in that basket.”
He points at what I think is the main door.
“I take it you haven’t bought a house yet.”
Until Next Time Page 12
