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“Yeah. You know how tall he is, and he was stuck back in economy in one of those uncomfortable seats. Then they lost his luggage. I’d probably be in a foul mood if it were me.”
“You think he’s okay?” I ask.
“Callie says he’ll be fine. It’s just how he is. Jesse’s an artist. He can be moody. Though not as moody as that Dragon guy.” Donny’s handsome face goes rigid as he leans toward me. “What were you two talking about at dinner?”
“Nothing much. Small talk mostly.”
“I didn’t know Dragon Locke could make small talk.”
“He’s actually a good guy. Sage and Gina think he’s the hottest of all the band members.”
Donny rolls his eyes. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”
“Come on, Donny. You’ve seen them hang all over him at the bar at home.”
“I try not to think of you, Sage, and Gina doing anything of the sort. To me you’re still little girls holding on to your teddy bears.”
I give him another swat. “Sorry, big brother. Those years are long gone.”
Donny takes a drink. “Well, I’m just glad that once I leave, Brock will be here for the duration of the trip. Somebody needs to keep an eye on you and Maddie.”
I hold back a scoff. “Are we back to that again?”
And then I drop my jaw.
Jesse Pike just walked into the bar.
“What is it?” Donny asks.
Then he follows my gaze. “Jesse!” He gestures him over.
“Hi,” Jesse says.
“Thought you were heading to bed,” Donny says.
“Yeah. I was looking forward to it, but then I hit the pillow and was wide awake. Thought I’d get a nightcap.”
“That’s what we’re doing. You can join us if you’d like,” I say brightly.
I’m still a little embarrassed about the whole belt buckle thing, and Jesse and I haven’t really talked since then. But my God, even exhausted, with bags under his eyes, Jesse Pike is the most amazing man I’ve ever looked at. No one wears washed-out jeans quite like he does.
Jesse takes a seat. “Where’s Callie?”
“She went up to bed.” Donny yawns. “I think I’ll join her. Come on, Brianna.”
I hold up my can. “Not quite done yet.”
“All right. I’ll text you with the details for tomorrow.” Donny throws a twenty-pound note on the table, rises, and walks away, leaving me alone with Jesse.
“What details about tomorrow?” he asks.
“We’re going to go see this old guy, Ennis Ainsley. He was the first winemaker for our vineyards. He still lived there when we were little kids, but I don’t really remember much about him.”
“Oh, right. Rory told me about him. She and Brock came over to see him a couple of months ago.”
“Yeah.” I take a tiny sip of my Diet Coke. I have to make it last. “I’m sorry you can’t sleep.”
“I’ll be fine.” He signals to a server. “I need a shot of scotch please.”
