Cutting Loose

by Charity Hillis

  With a satisfied smile, Amy tucked the tablet back into her bag and checked the clock. It was almost noon, and she hurried to get ready. Sharlene had invited her on a wine tasting tour with a bunch of other guests, and Amy didn’t want to let her down. Besides, what else am I going to do alone in the hotel all day?

  Since time was short, she didn’t wash her long, blond hair, but years of experience had made her fingers deft, and in moments, she’d pinned it up in what looked like a complicated series of twists and knots at the back of her head. Smoothing down a few flyaways with cream, Amy checked her reflection in the mirror; sleek, professional, and way too put together for a day of wine tasting. Amy sighed, but then she remembered that she’d packed a few pieces of jewelry. She didn’t usually wear her own stuff; her designs were too flowy and romantic for her charcoal power suits and starched shirts, but maybe a wine tour would be the perfect excuse to wear something she’d made. She pulled out her favorite necklace, silver and copper wire intertwining delicately around a large, oval lapis, and slipped it around her neck.

  When she checked her reflection this time, the face in the mirror looked a little softer. Even with her fitted leather jacket, Amy realized that the necklace made a huge difference; she didn’t feel quite so Wall Street now. And maybe I can just enjoy myself for once, she thought as she grabbed her wallet and headed downstairs.

  Tin plates and tiny, framed engravings lined the stairwell, but white wallpaper speckled with pine cones was still visible behind the antiques. Amy rolled her eyes. Seriously, Roxy’s gone a bit overboard, but maybe that’s what people around here like.

  The inn offered a home-cooked breakfast, but Amy knew she’d slept too late to take advantage of it. Luckily, though, there were some scones set out on a side table near the reception desk, along with a pot of strong coffee. Amy poured herself a Styrofoam cup, wishing she’d thought to bring down her travel mug. Maybe I can run back up and grab it, she thought, but just then, a man with a clipboard strode into the room.

  “Anyone for the Harris/Bloom wedding wine tour?”

  Amy raised her hand, then immediately felt like an idiot. What am I, five? She quickly finished her coffee and headed over to the man. “I’m Amy Savoy,” she said, smiling as the man checked her name off his clipboard.

  “Nice to meet you. Name’s Hank,” he said, sticking out his hand and grinning. “You’re Sharlene’s college buddy, right?”

  She nodded, surprised. “How do you know that?”

  “My wife couldn’t stop talking about you last night.”

  “Your wife?”

  “Carol.” Hank wrinkled his brow. “She didn’t mention me?”

  “Oh, no, she did,” Amy said quickly. “I just haven’t had enough coffee this morning.” She wasn’t really sure if Carol had mentioned Hank or not, but she wasn’t about to tell him that.

  Her answer seemed to appease him. “Well, can’t promise you coffee on the tour, but there sure will be a lot of wine.” He winked. “Might as well add to the hangover, eh?”

  Amy didn’t bother correcting him; she was tired, but not hung-over. The girls had stuck to beer all night, except for the one round of tequila shots she’d insisted on buying, and Amy had barely touched any of the bottles that appeared in front of her. “Is the bus outside?”

  “Sure is. Go on and make yourself comfortable. I think I’m waiting for another couple of folks in here, and then we’ll be off.”

  She hadn’t realized that the inn was the last stop for pickup; nervously, she walked toward the full bus, fiddling with her necklace and hoping Sharlene hadn’t invited too many people. Amy only did well with crowds when she was presenting something for work; social interactions had always made her nervous. Luckily, the first person she saw when she boarded the minibus was Joanne.

  “Hey, stranger!” Joanne grinned. “Feeling okay after last night?”

  Why does everyone think I got wasted? She nodded. “Right as rain. You?”

  “A couple of aspirin made the morning look a lot better, let me tell you.”

  Amy nodded, feeling a twinge of guilt that she’d only pretended to drink; the other women must have all been pretty toasted by the end of the night. Maybe that’s why everyone assumes I’m hung over, she thought.

  Sharlene waved from the back of the bus, and Amy smiled at Joanne. “The bride calls,” she said apologetically.

  Joanne nodded. “Of course!”

  Making her way down the short aisle, Amy slid into an empty pair of seats across from Sharlene and a guy who could only be Jeremiah.

  Sharlene grinned at her. “You doing okay?”

  “Yes,” Amy said, reaching around Sharlene with her hand. “I’m guessing you’re the fiancé.”

  He grinned and shook her hand. “Jeremiah. It’s nice to finally meet you; my girl here can’t say enough about the fun you all got into back in college.”

  Amy liked him immediately, and she smiled. “Those were the days!”

  “Sharlene tells me you were quite the artist?”

  Sharlene tapped his arm. “But not anymore, hon. Now she’s big city girl, with a big city job.”

  Amy chuckled, but then she slipped her hand into her coat pocket. “Speaking of, I forgot to give you something last night.” Handing Sharlene the small white box, Amy sat back nervously. She’d never given anyone one of her pieces before, and she wasn’t sure what Sharlene would say. Sure, she’d sold them on the Internet from time to time, but it was different to be face to face with a person.

  Sharlene gasped softly. “Oh my gosh, this is beautiful!” Nestled in tissue paper was a pendant similar to the one Amy was wearing, only the stone was a small, round moonstone. The opalescent orb looked pink and blue in the sunlight as Sharlene pulled it out of the box. “Clasp it for me, would you, honey?”

  Jeremiah obliged, and the pendant settled gently against Sharlene’s neck. She turned to Amy with a wide smile. “Where did you find it?”

  Amy hesitated. “Actually,” she admitted shyly, “it’s one of mine.”

  Realization dawned on her friend’s face, and she leaned across the aisle to hug Amy. “You made this?” She squealed. “Why didn’t you tell me you were still doing this kind of thing?”

  Amy shrugged, embarrassed. “I’m not, really. It’s just a hobby. But when you invited me for your wedding, well, I…” she cleared her throat. “I wanted to make something special for you.”

  “Ames, this is perfect! Thank you so, so much!”

  “I know you probably already have your jewelry set for tomorrow,” Amy continued, warming to the topic, “but in case you didn’t, this covers old, new, and blue; I found the stone at an antique shop and rescued it from a bent ring, and the new and blue should be obvious.”

  Sharlene touched the pendant gently and tears filled her eyes. “It’s perfect. I can’t wait to wear it tomorrow!” She glanced at Amy’s neck. “And we sort of match! I love it.”

  Even though Amy had been hoping her friend would say that, she still blushed. “If you really think it’s fancy enough for a wedding—“

  “It’s perfect,” Sharlene repeated. Jeremiah nodded in agreement.

  Amy beamed at them. Before she could say anything else, however, a low voice interrupted. “Mind if I sit here?”

  She lifted her eyes and recognized the musician from the previous night. This feels a little too much like a set up. Casting an accusatory glance at Sharlene, who merely winked, Amy shrugged. “If you want,” she said, trying not to sound interested.

  Instead of waiting for her to step into the aisle, Sean pressed between her legs and wormed his way to the window seat. Amy’s face was level with his hips, and she let her eyes linger on him for a moment before giving herself a mental shake. Set up or not, there was no reason for her to lose her head. When she glanced up at his face, he was grinning at her knowingly.

  “I’m Sean,” he said, sticking out his hand and settling into the seat.

  “Amy,” she said, trying no
t to notice how strong his grip was.

  “I know. You’re the big city friend.”

  She lifted an eyebrow. “Is that a problem?”

  He shook his head. “Not if you like big cities. Too polluted, in my book.”

  “Better than too isolated,” Amy fired back.

  Sean grinned. “But don’t you read the papers? Small town America is making a comeback.”

  “Not for me,” she said, shaking her head. “I’m just visiting.”

  He laughed, showing a single dimple in his right cheek. “You never know. We might seduce you with our maple syrup and never-ending charm.”

  Amy made a face. “Ugh. Too sweet for me!”

  “The syrup, or the charm?”

  She laughed. “Both, I guess.”

  He grinned at her knowingly. “Ah, so you’re a spicy kind of girl.”

  Amy flushed. “That’s not what I said.”

  Sean leaned toward her, stopping with his lips inches away from her ear. “I’ll let you in on a little secret. Small towns can have plenty of spice, if you know where to look.” His breath was warm on her cheek, and Amy’s skin tingled in response.

  “What if I’m not looking?” she asked, turning her head toward him slightly. If he wanted to kiss her, she’d just put her lips closer into range, but Amy was too turned on to stop herself.

  Sean laughed, a low, throaty sound that made Amy’s toes curl in anticipation. “That’s not what it looks like.”

  Before she could respond, Hank’s voice filled the bus. “All right, you all, it’s time to kick off this celebration!”

  Amy mentally shook herself and leaned away from Sean. She wasn’t in Vermont for a fling; she was just there for Sharlene’s wedding. Besides, she added, glancing back at the musician out of the corner of her eye, Roxy’s right. He really is full of himself. Clearing her throat, she tried to steer the conversation into safer territory. “How long have you played guitar?”

  Sean gave her an impish wink. “Are you fishing for my age, Amy? I promise you I’m perfectly legal.”

  Amy snapped her fingers. “Oh, damn. I was ready to test out my cougar skills this weekend.”

  Sean threw back his head and laughed. “You’re something else, you know that?” He leaned forward like he was thinking about kissing her, but Amy leaned back.

  “The guitar?” She prompted, trying not to notice the way her breath caught in her chest.

  “Forever, it seems like. Got my first one at a garage sale in the seventh grade.”

  Amy chuckled. “You’re lucky you found your passion so early!”

  His face, which had been open and playful a moment ago, seemed to close off at her words. “Yeah, well, it’s something to do,” he said, looking out the window.

  Amy wasn’t sure what had set him off, and her hand strayed to her necklace. “That’s good, I guess.”

  Sean glanced back at her, and he tipped his head toward her throat. “What are you worrying there?”

  Amy dropped her hand like she’d been burned. “Oh, nothing. Just a pendant.”

  Leaning across the aisle, Sharlene chose that moment to interrupt the conversation. “She made it, Sean. And look,” she touched her own necklace with a smile, “she made one for me, too. Isn’t she talented?”

  Sean nodded slowly, leaning even closer to Amy to study her necklace. His breath was warm on her skin, and Amy wondered fleetingly what his lips would feel like against the tender flesh at the top of her collarbone. “Very pretty,” he finally said, pulling back to look at her face.

  Amy shrugged. “It’s nothing. Just a hobby.”

  Sharlene shook her head. “You should totally do a craft fair or something. I’m sure people would buy your stuff.”

  Desperate to change the subject, Amy glanced over at Jeremiah. “What are your plans for after the wedding?”

  Sharlene giggled, and too late, Amy heard the double entendre of her words. Luckily, Jeremiah pretended not to notice. “I’ve planned the honeymoon,” he said with a sly smile, “but it’s a secret.”

  Sharlene hit his arm playfully. “He doesn’t understand that I need to know where we’re going so I can pack!”

  They began to bicker good-naturedly, and Amy glanced back at Sean. He was watching her intently, glancing at her necklace from time to time before lifting his bright blue eyes back to her face. She wanted to ask him what he was thinking, but she didn’t want to get into a conversation about her jewelry again, so she pulled her tablet out of her purse and tried to focus on work. She could usually work anywhere, but her right arm was acutely aware that Sean’s body was almost pressed up against her side, and Amy kept glancing at him out of the corner of her eye. What is it about him that turns me on? I barely even know the guy, she admonished herself, sending off a quick reply to an email her boss had sent, reminding him that she was out of town for the next few days. When she risked another look at Sean, he’d turned away from her and was staring out the window, and Amy fought down a fissure of disappointment.

  Still, even though she worked hard to ignore Sean as they drove to the first winery, she couldn’t ignore the way her body was responding to his presence. It had been a long time since she’d suffered from lust at first sight, and by the time they got off the bus for the first tasting, Amy was starting to wonder what would happen if she kept flirting with Sean. After all, she thought, watching him hold an animated conversation with Jeremiah, weddings make people do crazy things.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  Sean had grown up with Sharlene and Jeremiah, like everyone else in town, and when they’d finally announced their engagement, he hadn’t been surprised. He was in Miah’s graduating class, and even back in high school, it had been obvious that the guy had a thing for his kid sister’s best friend. So when Miah asked him to play for the wedding, Sean wasn’t about to say no. He didn’t offer to do it for free, but he did drop his rates, and Jeremiah and Sharlene hadn’t seemed to mind paying for live music at the reception. In fact, they’d even invited him along on for the party bus and wine tour the day before the wedding, and Sean wasn’t about to turn down an opportunity to enjoy himself.

  He’d hiked up to the inn to catch the bus, but by the time he got there, all the seats were full except for one in the back, across the aisle from the bride and groom. Sean noticed the immaculate blond hairstyle when he was halfway down the aisle, and he smiled to himself as Sharlene waved him over. Looks like I’ll have a chance to talk to the city girl sooner than I’d hoped. He slid into the seat beside her and introduced himself.

  Fifteen minutes into their flirty exchange, Sean realized Sharlene was watching him with a broad smile, and suddenly it dawned on him. The empty seat. Oh, Christ, this is her idea of a set-up. The idea that someone wanted him to hook up with Amy was almost enough to make him reconsider his plans, combined with the way she’d seemed to figure him out within minutes, and he put a little distance between them at the first wine tasting. He wasn’t usually opposed to set ups, but he really didn’t want to have a fling with a woman who seemed like she could intuit his soul; her comment about passion had cut deeper than he cared to admit. No one in town talked to Sean about music and passion in the same breath anymore, not since Joy. But it had taken Amy barely five minutes to see past his casual bar performance, and that unnerved him.

  Still, despite himself, he found his eyes straying toward her throughout the day, watching the way she seemed genuine with Sharlene, but awkward as hell with anybody else.

  She’s prettier than I thought, Sean realized as he studied Amy’s face across the rustic tasting room at the third winery. He skimmed her hair and cheeks, his eyes landing at the pendant around her neck, the one Sharlene said she’d made. Even from a distance, he could tell it was well-made, and he noticed that she touched it whenever she got nervous or flustered. She’d been gripping it a lot that day, Sean observed, so he figured the big city sophisticated thing was just an act. He wondered fleetingly if she felt the same way about jewelry making
that he did about music; it was hard to see past the banker exterior, but Sean was determined to try. What would it take to get her to let her hair down? He thought, swirling the wine in his glass absentmindedly before taking a swallow.

  “I wouldn’t bother,” Roxy said, sidling up to him and following his gaze. “She’s way too smart for you.”

  He rolled his eyes. “Thanks for the vote of confidence, sis.”

  She shrugged. “Just calling it like I see it. You know she’s just been made a partner at her firm?”

  Sean shook his head. “So?”

  “So, what’s a successful woman like that going to do with an overgrown man-child like you?”

  Sean chuckled, finishing off his wine. “I’m not looking for some long-term thing, Rox, and there’s no reason to guess that’s what she wants, either.” He paused. “Unless she said something about wanting a wedding and babies when you all were out at the bar?”

  Roxy shook her head. “No, she didn’t, but I sort of get the feeling there’s a lot that girl isn’t saying.”

  Sean grinned rakishly at her. “I bet I could get some sounds out of her.”

  His sister swatted his arm. “God, you’re such a jerk. Is there any single woman in town you haven’t laid?”

  Sean opened his mouth, a wicked glint in his eyes, and Roxy took a step back.

  “On second thought, forget I asked.” She darted away, and Sean laughed at her retreating back. When he glanced up, he caught Amy’s eye across the room, and was surprised when she looked away first. Is she actually blushing? It was hard to tell underneath the dim lights of the winery, but Sean decided it was a very good sign. She’s definitely interested, he told himself as the group headed back to the bus for the last winery of the day. And I’ve already got a few things in mind, no matter what Roxy says. His sister’s warning had chased away his earlier hesitations; whenever Roxy told him he couldn’t do something, he always made a point of proving her wrong.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  Although she hadn’t been hung over from the bachelorette party, an afternoon of wine tasting left Amy feeling more than pleasantly toasted, and the rest of the wedding guests seemed to be in a similar boat by the time Hank drove them back to the inn.