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“And how is getting some action from that hot piecenotfocusing on you?”
I laughed. “True. But I need to work on getting my crap back on track too.”
She slapped me with the towel and shook it at me. “You are hopeless.”
“I know. I’m pathetic.”
“What you need is someone to help you get over Tim. Some no-strings-attached seriously intense sex.”
“What I really need is a night with my friends.”
“Done. Monday night, girls’ night!”
“Perfect.” I grabbed her in a hug and kissed her cheek.
I laughed as she danced her happy dance, unladylike movements on her tiptoes, jumping back and forth and wiggling her ass as she texted Lauren and Audrey in our group chat.
* * *
I hadn’t talkedto Nev much since I’d arrived. Her job kept her busy, and lately, she’d had to work extra hours. Not to mention she was seeing some new guy, and she was a teensy bit obsessed with him. It gave me something to tease her about. I wasn’t prepared for what she told me.
“Tim tried getting ahold of you again. He showed up at my place yesterday. I told him you weren’t available.”
“I blocked him, so he can’t call or text me.”
“He said as much. I told him you obviously didn’t want to talk to him. Said if you ever wanted to get in touch with him, he’d know.”
“Thanks. I don’t need his shit right now.”
“I didn’t mention you’d left. I know you didn’t want him to know.”
“Thanks.”
“So . . .” she began, knowing I didn’t want to focus on Tim, “how’s everything going in Monarch?”
After my quick chat with Nev, I grabbed a jacket and told Pops and Grams I was going for a walk. Talking to Nev stirred up my emotions, reignited my anger, and if I was honest, a little bit of sadness. I knew I had to get in touch with Tim. I just wasn’t quite ready to yet. Getting ahold of him was the only way to take care of the one thing still tying me to him. Nev was a true friend. She was my best friend in San Francisco, and again, she proved just how awesome a friend she was by protecting me from my shitbag of an ex.
Even though I shivered as tiny goosebumps dotted my arms, it was such a nice evening. It was cool, but not freezing. I tilted my head up, taking in the beauty of the brilliant full moon. Its light cast a brilliant glow, a candescent light that illuminated the winery and bathed the hillsides in white-silver luminance. It was a cloudless night, and, being so far away from the city, I could hear nothing but the chirp of crickets, the rustling of leaves, and the beating of my own heart. The trees in the distance were silhouetted against a deep velvety sky. Sometimes the nights were so dark the blackness almost swallowed you whole. But tonight? Tonight was a gorgeous splendor, and I hoped a walk under the moonlight would help clear my mind.
Fresh air was what I needed. Fresh air and no one to distract me. I loved my grandparents and my friends—my extended family. But right now, I just needed to be alone with my thoughts. I could smell the night-blooming jasmine. Its flowers opened, perfuming the air with its sweet musky scent. As a child, Pops had taught me great-great-grandpa Moretti’s tradition of strategically planting trees, flowers, and herbs near the vines to enhance the flavors and aromas of our beautiful bouquets. Cherry, lavender, currant, black pepper, rosemary, raspberry could be recognized in the undertones with just one sniff or taste.
I knew in my heart that breaking up with Tim was the right thing to do, but I still felt a deep sense of loss. Although nothing as intensely romantic or as beautiful as what my grandparents shared, we’d had a decent relationship. Maybe that was the problem. I never felt connected to him in a deep way, the way my grandparents seemed to be. They had always been the shining example of what a true and loving relationship was and should be. Tim and I’d had great sex. At least in the beginning. We’d had great communication. Again, in the beginning. We’d made plans for the future. Plans of opening our own restaurant. It had all seemed normal and exciting. Until he ruined everything.
I wondered now, even if he hadn’t cheated, would I have stayed?
“I don’t know,” I said aloud to myself. “I just don’t know.”
“Don’t know what?” a deep voice asked.
Michael
Siena screamed, clasping her handover her heart. Her chest heaved up and down as she took deep breaths. I grabbed her by the elbow, and she moved to lash out like I was a predator.
I held her at arm’s length, trying to avoid her strikes. “It’s just me. It’s Michael.”
“Jesus H. Christ! What the hell?!” She pulled out of my grasp. “You scared me! Fucking A,” she gasped, still trying to catch her breath. I patted her on the back and rubbed gentle circles.
“I’m sorry, I thought you heard me.” I took a deep breath, trying to keep myself under control. But I couldn’t keep it together. I started laughing hysterically.
