Heart Nectar

by Davee Jones

  The flight instinct settled down a little inside Mindie’s racing mind. Knowing this wasn’t the evil twin helped ease her anxiety. Relaxing into business-mode, she welcomed George to the tasting bar. “What’s your favorite wine?”

  “I have several favorites. What I drink really depends on my mood. I might have to taste all you have.”

  This man intended to stay until closing time, that was obvious. Mindie allowed a small spark of interest to keep her enchanting. Once she started pouring samples, he stayed until the day ended. Discussing much more than business, they chatted casually about a menagerie of topics. She wandered away occasionally to assist other customers or in the kitchen. Anytime she looked up, he was studying either her or the winery. A genuine interest remained in his expression the entire time. Not once did he seem pompous, and certainly not rude.

  Just as she put the closed sign in the window, Mindie wondered how she would get him out of there before she was tempted to lock him up in the shop with her.

  “Do you have a business plan?” Leaning forward, George showed his obvious interest in what Mindie finally had to say. His long lean body hinging at the hips emphasized his muscular chest.

  “Yes, I can email a copy of it to you. Of course, I’ll need your contact information.” Mindie faltered when she asked for such personal details.

  Handing a business card each to Nixie and Mindie, George smiled again broadly. “I look forward to reading it. If you’ll send it today I can have an answer for you by tomorrow evening. Would you be free to get together again?”

  Nixie answered for the both of them. “We can make time.”

  George stood just as a couple more customers entered the store. “I think we’re about to embark on an incredible relationship. You ladies have a great thing going here. It’s a pleasure to meet you both, I’ll see you again tomorrow.” Reaching out he shook Nixie’s hand first before extending to Mindie. He paused just a little longer before releasing Mindie’s hand.

  He was out the door before Mindie said another word. “Well…I’ll be damned. Who could have seen this coming?” Each spoken word was like its’ own sentence.

  “I think you’ve got a chance with the upgraded version of a beautiful masculine package. I didn’t see a ring.”

  “Oh, stop it! I admit he’s much better looking than his brother, even if they are twins.” Mindie wouldn’t say everything going through her thought processes. Besides excitement, she felt a little disturbed at her attraction to George. Wasn’t it wrong on some level? Should she be allowed the same feelings for two men? With Charles it was more of a love-hate thing than true interest anymore. Had fate truly handed her a gift? So many questions threw her train of thought off-track. George’s long tanned muscular legs seemed sculpted perfectly. His shorts and shirt definitely highlighted his best physical features.

  “I’m gonna call him Stansfield version ten, because he so much better than the original.” Nixie declared enthusiastically.

  “Things are definitely more complicated.”

  “Isn’t that what makes life fun?” Nixie giggled, taking off to tend to the new customers at the tasting bar.

  Chapter Six

  Within an hour of George leaving, Mindie had sent him the requested information. Without a doubt, an investor would be much preferred than a business loan from the bank. However, Mr. Sexy Legs could cost more than bank interest. After being burned by Charles, she had to wonder if this was genuine, or a tag team effort to make sure they got their mitts into the winery. Her experience with Charles certainly muddied the speculation. Keeping her desires in check became a little easier since his brother had treated her so badly. However, she still held a strong attraction to this mystery twin.

  “Mindie, we have reason to suspect George’s motive. He is asshole’s brother. On the other hand, we don’t have to dress up for the bank official, putting on our best face hoping we get the business loan we need.” Checking Mindie over, Nixie added a caveat. “Except, you’re looking pretty fly.”

  Taking extra time on her hair, makeup, and clothing choice became apparent. Subconsciously, Mindie wanted George to see her, really see her. One way or another, she’d prove her point- he’d regret screwing with her, if he essentially was full of shit. They’d both realize what a missed opportunity not only the business was, but, she was just as valuable. “We will find out soon enough, he’s going to be here in an hour.” Checking her watch, she confirmed the time.

  Just as when Brent visited, they lined up sample menu items and readied their design portfolio. “We’re getting old hat at this presentation stuff.” Nixie surveyed the spread. “One way or another, we’re getting money.”

  George arrived a few minutes early, dressed a little more upscale than his first visit. Usually when a man sported pressed jeans, Mindie thought him soft or lacking masculinity. However, George wore them while still exuding virility. His hands had a couple of callouses, reducing the starch in his pants from wimpy to stylish. The button down shirt fit his torso well, showing off his frame. He had taken the time to gel his hair, still charmingly shaggy no matter what he did.

  “I hope it’s nice to see you again.” Mindie dryly greeted their guest, giving him as little credit as possible. Her instant attraction to him fueled the contempt she tried hard to squash.

  “Give me a chance to plead my case at least before you sentence me.” Either he truly perfected the art of honesty, or he was an undiscovered acting gem. “I think you’ll like what I have to offer.”

  Her brain went to the gutter with his offerings. Were his nipples sensitive, would he flex those gorgeous chest muscles when she stimulated them? Did he like it when someone nibbled on his neck? Was he circumcised? She was sure he could read her thoughts like the daily newspaper. “I…I don’t know what you have to offer. Why would I want to know?”

  “Because he could help our business, you goofball. Stay on track partner.” Good thing Nixie knew how to keep Mindie focused, as if telepathically shaking sense into her. Shifting her attention to George, she gave Mindie a chance to regroup. “Thank you for stopping by, we’ve prepared a few samples for the upcoming menu.”

  Meticulously going over every detail, the trio exposed how successful their plan could be. Yet, despite her best efforts, Mindie couldn’t give full attention to Heart Nectar. The place she’d dedicated so much of her heart and soul suddenly became second chair to the intensity George brought to her senses. The conflict irritated her as much as thrilled her. George’s presentation ended all too quickly, which meant he’d be leaving.

  “Of course, we must discuss everything before we give you a final answer.”

  “I hate to run off, but since we’re finished, I have somewhere I need to be.” Nixie stood, announcing her departure.

  “Wait, what are you doing? Where are you going?” Panicked, Mindie threw out the questions. Of course she was leaving, payback for the first night they met with Brent. Nixie could bring the A-game with shady options.

  “I have an appointment, but, I’ll call you later. Thank you for all your work on this project, George. I think we can give you an answer within a week.” Disappearing quickly, she was gone before Mindie could say anything to stop her.

  Awkward didn’t accurately describe every conscious thought refusing to flow smoothly through her mind. Of course the guy was attractive and rich. Aside from minor personal choice appearance differences, if she forgot every shitty thing Charles said to her it could’ve been him sitting next to her. Wasn’t that weird? This attraction thing was all an illusion. How was she supposed to differentiate between these two guys?

  Why was she been making such a big deal out of it? He was here for business. She was being a dumbass for entertaining any other arrangements.

  “Well, it’s the two of us.” George took another sip of wine.

  “Yes, the room’s awfully quiet with Nixie gone.” Nixie’s exceptional gift of filling the quiet spaces of any location was her superpower. A remote cave pro
bably wouldn’t seem lonely with her in it.

  “I like her, she’s got spunk. Where’s she from?”

  “We met when she moved in with us as a foreign exchange student. Her family is still in Germany. Nixie loved it so much here, she moved back as soon as she could.”

  “I can see the appeal of this place.” Finishing the bit of wine in his glass, he reached for the bottle. Clearly, he was staying for one more drink. More unspoken innuendos, did he mean anything personal?

  “We do love our little town.” Our small corner of the map seemed so much safer without all the strangers coming into it. Well, except for Nixie, she really wasn’t a stranger she was meant to be from Braden. More random babbling within the inner workings of her brain, somehow it made her feel like Nixie was still there.

  “I never visited Braden much when I was a kid. We were always so busy, my parents never made vacations here a priority.”

  Then why is Braden so important to these two rich guys? They never visited here much, clearly there was no vested sentimental interest. If someone cut around and included the entire city limits of this place, they could plop it down in just about any location in the world, and it would be just another place. Change the name and it might even be Mayberry, if it wasn’t in Iowa. Her devotion stemmed from her network of family and friends that truly became family. All the memories of this small town was what it made it special to Mindie, not any one particular thing. She finally voiced the curiosity. “This definitely isn’t a vacation destination. Few people show up in Braden by accident. This is one of those towns of intention, not really a stopping point to a bigger more exciting locale. If you didn’t visit much, the where is all this interest coming from?”

  “Fair question – I’m not sure I can even explain it. Maybe it’s because I’d rather have grown up in a place like this, than some of the hectic spots I found myself in over the years. When folks permanently leave a place like this, they’re crazy. I suppose that’s where the saying the grass is always greener could fit in.”

  “Exactly, the grass is always greener. What happens when this place bores you, after you’ve invested so much time and money into it?”

  “I could think of plenty of ways this place wouldn’t bore me.” A smile that could only be termed as mischievous crept slowly across his mouth. His lips were incredible.

  Shaking off a primal instinct to strut or attempt a mating call, Mindie tried to remain professional. Both these guys tweaked a nerve, but George had the sensitivity to back it up. Why was he so damn enticing? “I’m not all starry eyed by the rich guy.”

  “My interest at Heart Nectar is completely legit, as is my interest in getting to know you better.”

  Oh dear God he’s actually coming on to me. What could Mindie say to that? Your brother is also a catch, you’re a two in one prize, both sounded horrible. “Look George, you’re pleasant enough…and nice-looking. I just don’t see how the few minutes we’ve spent here during a meeting makes you interested in me.” Suddenly it made sense. The rivalry between those twin brothers was so intense it merged both business and pleasure. Acquiring the target was a game. “Although the business might be up for a backer, its owners aren’t.”

  This reminded Mindie of freshman year in high school, when Joey Donahue rocked her world. Mindie’s beauty had been a work in progress. Surviving buck teeth and a bad haircut in junior high, she’d never gotten the interest of any boys. While many friends around her passed love notes back and forth, she concentrated on things she could control like schoolwork and gardening. Gardening developed her interest in grapes. Making something desirable from something plain became her dream. Maybe it mirrored the way she felt about herself, some sort of getting better with age or the ugly duckling thought process.

  The summer before high school began became the turning point in her femininity. Her face grew into her teeth, which in turn straightened on their own, settling into her mouth perfectly. Her hair grew long and silky, and her breasts filled out. She was like the new girl in town although she’d been there her entire life.

  Joey flashed her a smile in the hallway during a passing period. She instinctively looked over her shoulder for the intended recipient. With no one there, she quickly turned back around to him standing directly in front of her still flashing that smile. “Hey, how was your summer?”

  “Um… um… it was good. Was, what about you?” Why the hell did she sound so lame?’ She’d known this guy for years. The line of questioning was something intensely new.

  “It was great. Yours was better than good, it was great too. I mean, look at how beautiful you are.”

  Oh Lord, she’d never been called beautiful by anyone other than family. Why was her breath stuck in her throat? She’d even seen him eat dirt once, a long time ago. It was one of those double dog dare situations that drew a crowd. So why was she so tongue-tied in front of Joey, the dirt eater? “Thanks.” The short answer thankfully tumbled out.

  Skillfully redirecting his attention, he noticed a group of other athletes assembling down the hallway. “I got to get to practice, but let’s talk again later, K?”

  He walked away before she answered him. Of course the now hunky good-looking football player had all the confidence of someone who’d never eat dirt. The arrogance was strangely appealing. By the time several weeks went by, he’d smooth talk her all the way to second base. Those new breasts got her more attention than she was ready for. Turns out he was only interested in her new territory for status among the guys. When his friend, Kevin started ferociously flirting, she figured things out the hard way. Mindie was the target of competition between two guys she’d known for years.

  She questioned everyone’s motives after that. One demeaning experience triggered a doubt she’d never shake.

  Jolting back to the present, Mindie attempted focus on the incredible dream sitting across from her. “I’m an honorable man. You’ll see that in time.” The way he stared into her eyes could be quite convincing, if she were so shrewd.

  The high school memories returned to their dark cave in the recesses of Mindie’s sadness. “I’ll say put all your intentions in writing. We require the structure of a contract to keep your intentions in line.”

  “We’re back to business again?”

  “Absolutely we’re back to business dealings again. I’d never put a personal relationship into a contract. Are you crazy?” Mail order brides and other arrangements might require signatures, but she wasn’t interested in that.

  “I’d like to see the vineyard before I have my attorney prepare the paperwork. Are you good with that?”

  It made sense George would want to see the vineyard. He wouldn’t want to invest in a bunch of scraggly plants hoping to become lush vines. “Of course, it goes without saying.” A glance out the window showed Mindie a trip then wouldn’t be worth much. Dusk was quickly becoming full on nightfall. Did this mean she’d have to see him again that quickly? “It’s really too dark right now to see much.”

  “Dark or not, I’m seeing quite a bit. I really like what I see.”

  ****

  “So, he’s meeting you here for a trip to the vineyard?” Nixie prepared the usual routine to open the store. A knowing twinkle in her eye brightened the monotonous activities. She was up to something devious.

  “Yes, it was too dark last night for him to see anything.”

  “You could’ve shown of a bunch if you’d wanted to.” Wiggling her hips, she then proceeded to fail miserably at twerking. “I never said I could bust those moves, but, damn I wish I could.”

  “Could you clamp down your raging hormones a little bit? Not everyone is as frisky as you are. Just what did you do last night after you left anyway?” Changing the subject from Mindie to Nixie was a perfect segue to get the focus off her.

  “I didn’t see Brent if that’s what you’re asking.”

  “Then, I bet your vibrator is worn out.”

  “Ha ha bitch, I went home and chilled. I needed a brea
ther.”

  “What you mean a breather? I thought you were all googly eyed over Brent. Wasn’t that what you wanted? You know, some boyfriend to fawn over.”

  “I like Brent. I really do. But it seems kinda heavy too quickly, am I imagining things?”

  “Small-town romance can be that way. You should know this as well as anyone. In a small town folks are looking to couple up, get married, start a family…that whole bit. Life is simple here.”

  “I thought I wanted all that. Maybe I do. I also want to pace myself. I don’t want to be a foregone conclusion…or whatever the American saying is.”

  “Aren’t you being a little shady? I mean you had me fooled, so you know Brent’s falling hook, line, and sinker. I thought you were just as gaga as he was.”

  George’s arrival interrupted the girls’ relationship debate, letting Nixie off the proverbial hook Brent seemed to be falling for. George walked through the door with the confidence of being there one hundred times, without the arrogance of taking over. He sedately demonstrated manners when he didn’t approach the girls’ obviously serious conversation. He wore denim shorts like he was doing them a favor. Just loose enough to be stylish, the dark blue against the deep tan of his legs was also very enticing. This guy must be an avid cyclist or something, his calf muscles were stunning. If manly muscles could be legitimately called stunning…maybe it was studding instead. The short sleeves of his shirt cuffed his biceps perfectly. Soft skin of his upper arm sheathed the strong bump tightly. Leaving his hair shaggy again made him irresistible and Mindie hated how delicious he really looked. “Good morning you two. It’s a perfect day to be outside.”

  Seriously, this guy could charm a snake – I just hope he isn’t one. “I guess we should get going before it gets too hot.”

  All too quiet, Nixie had to be scheming, plotting, and completely checking this guy out. Mindie felt her observations as if they were a tangible thing. Too many years living under close quarters would do that to people. Maybe she should shake things up a little bit. “Nixie could take you to the vineyard. I’ve got some bookwork to catch up on.”