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She shrugged. “It’s not like I’m doing something out of the ordinary.”
That was true. Oh, she’d cursed Rafe out when he’d left right after my parents’ funeral. But still, Abby had always kept up with what he was doing, who he played for, the wins, you name it.
An announcement blared, saying the doors would open in five minutes. Abby gave me a hug and then dashed off to her booth.
Taking a deep breath, I willed my professional business face into place, complete with a smile and the friendliest look I could manage.
Standing out and getting noticed at live events meant giving it your all, making eye contact with those who walked by, and never being passive, like looking at my phone and waiting for people to come to me. So I put on the final touch—a flower wreath around my head, which was popular with brides this year—and waited for people to ask me about it. Then I could slowly ease into my mini-pitch.
Soon I was doing what I did best, chatting with engaged couples or seriously dating couples, and forgot all about my brother, West, and the future beyond getting people interested in booking my business.
ChapterThirty
Weston
Me:I hope you kick ass today.
Emmy:Thanks! You too.
Me:I can’t wait for tonight.
Emmy:I bet. If you don’t pass out again tonight. I really should call you an old man.
Me:Making you come with my mouth takes work.
Emmy:But you didn’t do that last night.
Me:Then your pussy drained me.
Emmy:What, of your life essence? Really?
Me:I’ve never been that tired after fucking someone, so yes.
Emmy:Are you calling me a succubus?
Me:Um, no.
Emmy:I think you are.
Me:I hope not. Because then you’ll literally fuck me to death.
Emmy:Isn’t that like a guy’s fantasy?
Me:No comment. I gotta go. See you later.
Ihad worked nearly two decades at my in-laws’ cattle ranch, and the work could be brutal. And yet somehow, working the winery booth for eight hours with my sister left me feeling more exhausted than I’d been since my kids had started sleeping through the night.
As the last attendees were herded out the door, Abby lifted a small cup of cabernet sauvignon toward me. I took it, and she tapped her paper cup against mine. “To surviving the first day, old man!”
I grunted but couldn’t keep a smile from my face. Watching my little sister charm the visitors, enthusiastically chat about Starry Wolfe wine, and sign people up for sample boxes or for our mailing list had been illuminating. She liked talking to strangers and could put on a show.
Which made her being overly quiet at home all the more mysterious. When she was little, she’d been outgoing and charming, kind of like Zach. I thought maybe she’d just grown up. However, after today, it made me think something had happened to her in the years I’d been away.
Maybe if we finally got a drink together, I could broach the topic with Abby.
My sister scrutinized my face a second before saying, “We don’t have to wait until we go to The Watering Hole to talk, West. We can do it while we clean up, if you want. Knowing how Emmy will want everything arranged perfectly and in its place for tomorrow, we have about half an hour before she comes over.”
I downed my little cup of wine, tossed it in with the others to be recycled, and raised my eyebrows. “I’m guessing you know we’re sort of together for our stay in Reno?”
