by Ted Evans
“Thank you,” she said with a coy smile.
“We’re going to be in Cali soon and it’s so much warmer over there..”
Fuck!
I planned on telling her at the airport.
“I can’t go all the way there. The wedding and everything. You told me Long Island, there’s a big difference between Long Island and New York. We’ll arrive at night, right?”
“I know, but even at night the air there is still warmer than it is here.”
“Seriously Abe, you think that’s the only thing I’m worrying about right now. How long are we going to be over there?”
“Only for tomorrow. We’ll be coming back Monday morning, and we’ll be in wine country for most of tomorrow.”
She nodded pensively, crossing her legs. “That’s good, then. I have enough outfits. I thought I’d have to pop back home to get more or that I would miss the wedding.” She turned her head to look at me. “Where exactly are we going?”
My eyes had been glued to the length of her legs, but at her question, I looked up.
“I would have loved to take you to Silicon Valley,” I said with a sigh. “It’s really beautiful there at this time of year, but the event is in Napa Valley. It doesn’t fall short, though, so I think you’ll love it there. Or have you ever been?”
She arched an eyebrow at me. “My family is nowhere near the level of yours, of course I’ve never been to a wine tasting event. I’ve wanted to go to one for a while, though. I could never find the time, anyway. And it’s not like I’m that crazy about wine so I don’t exactly cry over it.”
“I think you’re going to like it, though. Besides the wines, there’ll be plenty of food to eat, and the view is amazing. Not to mention it will definitely be warm. Have you ever had wine before?”
She narrowed her eyes. “I have, I guess, at company events back at work, but I can't tell you anything about them other than the taste wasn’t terrible.”
I chuckled, throwing an arm behind her on the seat, and sliding closer to her in the process. “Then let me tell you all you need to know.”
Brooklyn listened attentively as I told her all I knew about wines. The truth was, she didn’t need to know so much just to enjoy the wine event, but I liked telling her things, because she had her attention on me the whole time.
When we arrived at the airport, the driver opened the door for the both of us to step out, and brought out our luggage. We got through the process with no problem and by five ,we were seated on the plane.
“Did you have to get first class tickets?” Brooklyn asked, arching an eyebrow. “I’ve never taken first class before.”
I gave her a sheepish smile, but the truth was I’d never not been in first class every time I was on a plane. Actually, since I finished college, I’d been flying around on the family’s private jet, so it had been a while for me. But the seats were comfortable and I didn’t want to make the difference between Brooklyn and I so obvious.
“Don’t worry about the ticket,” I said, patting her hand. “We’re going out to have fun, so just focus on that, okay? What would you like to do until we get there? Maybe sleep?”
She shook her head. “No, I can sleep once we get to Cali, it shouldn’t be too late.” Then she paused. “Wait, I didn’t ask anything about this flight.”
“It’s an express flight, so no need to worry. The flight should be maybe six or seven hours to San Francisco, sorry I couldn’t get any faster.”
She rolled her eyes. “Seriously, I’m going to be exhausted by the time I get back. Abe, I hate the idea that you lied to me. But it doesn’t mean that I’m not excited, but just bad timing you know.”
I patted her hair gently in apology. She didn’t move away from my touch. If anything, she leaned closer, and it made me smile.
Flight attendants started walking around, making sure the passengers had their seat belts on in preparation for take-off. I helped Brooklyn put hers on, then put on mine. Several minutes later, while the plane was in the air, the food and drinks were brought out.
I wasn’t feeling hungry myself, but I watched Brooklyn eat with delight, smiling at her the whole time. I wondered, not for the first time in the past six years, why on earth I ever let her go.
I can't make the same mistake again, I thought, losing my smile.
“Hey,” Brooklyn asked, pulling me out of my thoughts. “Do you have a pamphlet or something so I can see where we’re going to be?”
“Do I?” I mused. “I think I did receive one with the invite a while back.”
I went through my coat pockets. I had the invite in a folder in my pocket, and when I pulled it out and looked through it, I found what I was looking for. I handed the pamphlet over to Brooklyn so she could look it over. She looked absolutely delighted, and I imagined what she would look like when we actually got there.
This was the sort of thing I’d wished we’d had more time to do. My parents didn’t cut me off or anything while I was in college, but I was trying not to act like the son of a rich family that I was, so I always felt like I didn’t give Brooklyn all that she deserved while we were dating. I still loved the memories that we made back then, but to have the chance to make more meant the world to me.
Still, my heart was uneasy, because I couldn’t help remembering Maria’s words from earlier. When we’d finished lunch and gone our separate ways, she’d told me again to stay away from Brooklyn. Clearly, though, I couldn’t do it, because not long after that, I sent her a message, and here we were, going out on a date, even if she didn’t know it.
I had some documents I’d brought along. I had some work to do while I was in California. The wine tasting event wasn’t something I was doing purely for the pleasure of it, after all. There were a few people in attendance that I would need to talk to, so it was a convenient prop. I had been working on the deal for a month already, so even with Brooklyn there as a distraction, I could not allow things to go badly.
While I was in the middle of looking over the documents, though, I felt something land on my shoulder. I looked over, surprised, and then amused, to find Brooklyn had nodded off on my shoulder with the pamphlet still held in her hands. I sighed and reached for it so she wouldn’t drop it, then I raised the arm of the seat to get it out of the way and wrapped my arm around her shoulders, holding her closer to me as she slept, leaning back in my own seat so she would be comfortable. There was still a long way to go before we landed.
With my other hand, I held the papers and tried to read them. But soon, I couldn’t even focus because all my attention was on the woman sleeping in my arms. I ducked my head and closed my eyes as I buried my face in her hair, breathing in her scent.
She’s hardly changed, I thought, the feel of satisfaction warm in my chest.
I put the documents away, trying to jostle her as little as possible, then wrapped both my arms around her, laid my head against hers and closed my eyes. I didn’t think I could sleep, but I still felt relaxed.
When was the last time I actually relaxed? I had no idea. Usually, my days consisted of work, work, and more work. When I wasn’t working, I was eating or sleeping, or meeting other people, for a drink or whatever, and still talking about work. Taking care of a family empire wasn’t a simple thing after all.
In that moment with Brooklyn, though, where I could lay back and relax, and not think about work, it was the happiest I remembered being in a long while.
Brooklyn, I am really not going to let you go. The thought was filled with some anxiety, because no matter how much I wanted it, whether or not it would actually happen was still up in the air. I would do what I could, but if she didn’t meet me half way, then there really would be no more between us. She was clearly only in New York temporarily, and once she went back home, meeting up again might become impossible.
Always, I was used to getting the things I wanted, because I didn’t know how to give up, and I didn’t like giving up. Brooklyn was nothing like that, though. If, at the end of e
verything, I really couldn’t win her back…then I would have to watch her walk away from me again, and I wasn’t sure how I would survive it intact a second time.
Chapter Nine
Brooklyn
I blinked my eyes open, and for a moment I wondered where I was. I felt warm and comfy, and I didn’t want to move, but as I looked around, I remembered where I was.
On a plane on the way to California. With Abe.
My eyes widened and I went to move, only to be held back when arms tightened around me, keeping me in place. In a moment, I understood the situation I was in, and felt my face warm up in a blush.
Why the hell am I laying in Abe’s arms!
I held completely still, but on the inside, I was in turmoil. Laying this close to Abe brought back memories I didn’t want to have in my mind right then. I had a clear view of what I was doing with getting close to Abe again. It was so I could forget him, not get closer only for it to hurt worse later. After a long moment, I tried to struggle again so he would let go. I managed to turn around and lifted my head, only to freeze once more when I saw his eyes wide open and staring at me.
A slow smile spread on his face. “Oh, you’re awake. I thought you were just moving around in your sleep again.”
My face flushed even hotter, and I squirmed again. “Please let go of me now,” I muttered.
He chuckled, his chest rumbling with it, and with me held so close to him, it made me shiver. When he let go, I couldn’t even pretend to be cool. I jumped back into my seat with my arms folded over my chest, leaning against the window to be as far away from him as possible.
Abe just watched me in amusement, and I looked around. I couldn’t remember when I fell asleep, but I did know I’d been looking at a pamphlet for the wine event.
“Did I drop the pamphlet?” I asked, looking around, trying to calm my fast beating heart.
“No, you didn’t. I kept it.”
He pulled it out and handed it over to me, and I opened it up and held it up to my face, hiding from his view.
Shit. That was not the image I wanted to show him!
I heard papers rustling beside me, and lowered the pamphlet just enough to look at Abe. He looked completely unruffled, with his legs crossed and a serious expression on his face as he looked over some papers.
Is he really still working? I snorted silently, but frowned at him. Did he really never relax?
After I’d found out about his background, I’d done a bit of independent research, but all my research consisted of going through novels and browsing through the internet. It was all back in the beginning when I still felt hope. I thought Abe would change his mind and come after me, and I wanted to know what his life would be like from then on. I’d had fantasies that I could help him somehow, because we’d both majored in business.
The scope of his work was plenty higher than what I ended up doing, though. And to some extent, I knew that even if we’d stayed together, he might not have had enough time to spend with me anyway. I wouldn’t have minded, still, but he’d made his decision.
Watching him right then as he worked, my heart felt complicated.
I’d woken up just in time, because not long after, the flight attendant came by to make sure everyone had their seatbelts on. We were about to land. I was surprised just how long I must have slept that the flight was already over, but I was feeling excited.
“Stick close to me so you don’t get lost when we get off the plane, okay?”
I frowned at Abe. “Are you trying to be funny? Why on earth would I get lost here?”
I may not have lived in San Fran my whole life, but I’d gone on plenty of tours around the state. I lived in the suburbs where nothing ever happened, so I’d travelled quite a bit after graduating college.
“You don’t know where we’re going though, do you?” he asked, arching an eyebrow.
“To a hotel? You could just give me the name, if we get separated, I’ll find it alone.” Actually, some time alone from him might make me feel better. I was heading down a rabbit hole that I needed to steer clear of.
Abe didn’t take me seriously, though, rolling his eyes at me. “We’re not getting separated, so there’s nothing wrong, right?”
I took in a deep breath and looked away from him as I did my seatbelt up for myself this time.
Half an hour later, we were walking out of the airport terminal. Abe had thought ahead and already had a car waiting for us. It wasn’t a limo this time, but as we sat in the back, I noticed there was a partition between then front and back of the car so we couldn’t see the driver. Abe must really enjoy his privacy.
“Where are we going?” I asked curiously, relaxing into my seat.
“There’s this quaint town a short drive from the vineyard, where I booked our lodgings. The event is going to happen out in the vineyard, we’ll be in a garden overlooking it so we can enjoy the site comfortable. I know the organizer of the event, I’ve met them before, so I can assure you you’re going to have a good time.”
I only knew about wine tasting events from watching them on TV and hearing about them from my parents’ friends, but I would take his word for it.
“How long until we get there?”
“At the speed we’re going, it’ll be a little over an hour. I have a car waiting for us so we’ll drive ourselves to the event. You must have looked over the pamphlet, so you know the event will be starting from mid-morning and end late in the afternoon. We’ll have breakfast and dinner at the inn we’ll be staying in, and lunch will be provided during the event.”
“We’re staying at an inn?” I asked, cutting him off before he could go on.
“Yeah. There aren’t any big hotels where we’re going, but I think you’ll like the inn.”
Again, I would take his word for it.
The drive went on quietly. Abe was working again, and I played on my cell the entire time. I browsed the internet a little to get some more information. I wasn’t even sure how I was supposed to carry myself tomorrow. I’d been to some company events and I knew how to act around a crowd, but I had a feeling the crowd we were about to go and join would be different from the one I’d been around before.
I would glance at Abe every so often, but he never once looked up from his papers. At one point, I got lost just staring at him.
He’s really changed, hasn’t he?
Before, I’d thought he was the same. But the Abe I remembered, although he was good at studying, he would grumble about it before he actually got down to it, and I was there to listen to his grumblings most of the time. But right then, he sat regally with his spine straight, legs crossed and hands holding the papers up, a serious expression on his face. Just from looking at him I could tell he’d grown and matured over the years, and it only made him sexier.
Shit. I’m in trouble.
I tried my hardest to keep from looking at him, but I could feel my body starting to grow hot as fantasy after fantasy went through my mind. I was starting to think I read too many smutty stories in my free time.
When the car came to a stop, I felt relieved. I was ready to jump out, but waited patiently for Abe to let himself out first. I stepped out and took a good look at the inn, and my breath caught in my throat. It was a sprawling building with only a single floor. It was Tudor style architecture painted in cream and several shades of brown. All lit up in the dark, it looked breathtaking.
“It’s really pretty,” I murmured.
“It is, isn’t it?” Abe said.
When I looked over at him, he was staring right at me, and when I realized what he’d meant, I could feel my face warm up in a blush.
“Let’s go inside,” I said, grabbing for my suitcase and heading for the entrance.
Abe just chuckled as he followed me. I had to fall back as we moved to the reception desk so Abe could handle the booking. After speaking with the attendant, he was handed a key and given directions to the room. Minutes later, we stopped in front of a door, and Abe looked a
t me, holding up the single key he’d been given.
“I only booked one room,” he said, not sounding apologetic at all.
I frowned. “Don’t they have any free rooms at all? Did you even ask?”
He shot me a wounded look. “Of course, I asked. But I booked my room in advance, and this is one of the inns close to the event, so how could it not be full?”
“Then I’ll look for a different inn,” I said, starting to roll my suitcase away.
“Wait up,” Abe said, moving to stand in front of me. “You might not find a spot in any other place around here, and it’s already late at night. It’s almost midnight already, where do you plan to go?”
I chewed down on my lip in indecision, but in the next moment, I took a deep breath and looked seriously at him.
“Abe, I don’t want to sleep in the same room as you.”
I was looking at him closely, so I didn’t miss the flash of hurt that passed over his face. I held firm, though, even as my own heart ached. There was no way I could survive sleeping in the same bed with him.
Abe sighed, shoving his hands into his pockets. “If you’re really that worried, don’t be. The room is a suite, and I’ll just sleep on the couch.”
I pursed my lips. “I’m getting married to Richard in a few days, Abe, how could I sleep in the same room with another man just like that?”
He had this calculating look on his face, and a small smile tilted up the edges of his lips. I thought he looked a little smug, and I narrowed my eyes on him.
“No one is here so no one will judge us, okay? I swear to you nothing is going to happen tonight.”
“Nothing is going to happen at all while we’re here,” I countered, frowning. “I’m not going through heartache again with you, okay? We’re here to have fun, so how about we leave it at that?”
That killed the smugness, his smile turning almost sad.
“Of course,” he said in a whisper, turning around to let us into the room.
