Page 12 of Blush Crush

Still, if I don’t get out of here soon, I’m going to make it worse—and it’ll come off wrong. I’m angry at the situation, not at anyone in particular.

“Listen, Whit, great seeing you, but I have somewhere to be.”

“I was hoping we could talk,” she blurts out before I can dart away, the smallest hint of desperation in her voice.

“Please,” she adds.

“What exactly did you want to talk about? The wedding you’ve apparently been planning without thinking to mention it to me?”

I lean back in my chair and take her in from across my desk, the door shut firmly behind her.

“I’m mentioning it now,” she defends. “You know I’ve always wanted to get married at the winery. We’re hoping for March of next year.”

My eyes roll back. “So get married at the one next door. Or one of the many wineries across the state. Doesn’t your fiancé think it’s weird you want to get married at your ex’s winery?”

Her lips tick up in a smirk. “We’re barely exes. Don’t pretend you’ve missed me all these years.” Her brow lifts, her pointed stare a playful challenge.

I try not to smile, but it finds its way out. There’s too much history between us for me to truly be mad. “I could’ve. I could’ve been pining for you this whole time.”

“Bullshit,” she says through her laughter. “You’re incapable of pining. You’re probably allergic to it.”

I huff out a laugh, but it hits somewhere tender. Especially with Kennedy’s jabs still fresh. I didn’t realize I was so goddamn sensitive.

“You could’ve just come to me—you didn’t have to go through my mother first.”

“I wasn’t intentionally going behind your back. I came here last week to talk to you, but you weren’t here. I ran into your mom, and somehow it spiraled from there. I swear, that wasn’t my plan.”

I believe her. Mostly because I haven’t exactly been around. Further proof I need to step back from the tasting room.

The past few months, I’ve fallen into a rhythm there. Gotten used to it. Used to talking to customers instead of hiding behind my desk. Used to going next door and riling up a certain coffee shop owner.

I already frequented Novel fairly often—it’s one of the few places in town to grab a drink and a quick bite—but it’s different when you’re not fighting through a rush. Different when there’s time to notice the quiet girl behind the counter.

And seeing Ariana almost daily has become one of my favorite parts of the day.

Teasing her. Getting that snarky side of her personality to emerge.

There’s something under that bubbly, customer-service smile she wears. I get the sense there’s a whole other version of her most people don’t see.

I’d be lying if I said it didn’t intrigue me.

Probably an even better reason I need to focus more on company operations. If there were ever a woman I should steer clear of, it’s the youngest sister of my biggest competitor.

I clear my throat, shift forward, and rest my forearms on my desk. “So, this fiancé—he’s a good guy? Treats you right?”

Whitney exhales, her expression easing into something serene. She looks at peace, and that’s when I know he’s exactly who she needs. We were never like that—we were oil and water. Friendship was easy. Anything more, and we fell apart.

“His name is Jacob and he’s great. Puts up with my multiple personalities and still wants to marry me.”

I grin. “What more could you ask for?”

“Oh, I don’t know.” She gestures around my office. “Maybe just an old friend letting me marry the love of my life at his beautiful winery.”

I drag a hand down my face. “You know I’m not going to tell you no. But I don’t want any part of it—I don’t know shit about weddings. And if I’m being honest, you’re really putting me in a difficult position.”

“How am I putting you in a difficult position? We’ll keep it small, after business hours, just immediate family?—”

A humorless laugh rumbles out of me. “Have you met my mother? It’s not about the actual wedding. You getting married here just reminds her that you’re not marrying me. And that somehow means I need to be in a serious relationship. She’s already constantly trying to pair me off with someone, and this whole thing will only make her worse. I’m sure she’s working on setting me up with someone as we speak.”