Page 88 of You Had Me at Merlot

Leighton loved Saturday mornings these days. Especially since Jamie’d committed to taking every other one of them off. That meant they slept in until midmorning when they’d lie twisted in bedsheets, flirting, kissing, and making plans for their day.

Today, they’d decided on hitting up the little farmers market that popped up each weekend on Fifty-Fifth not far from the bar. They strolled slowly, holding hands and getting to know the vegetables.

“What if we did a zucchini, onion, and pepper scramble for breakfast tomorrow? I’ll be the chef. You can cheer me on with little to no clothing.”

“Sold,” Leighton said. “I have the best little number for breakfast cheerleader. I think you’ll be impressed.”

Jamie went still, onion in hand. “Unless you just want to do that today.”

Leighton laughed and leaned in, hovering just shy of Jamie’s lips. “Patience, my love. But I love it when you get that little dazed look on your face,” she said, her voice lower. “It means you’re turned on.”

“What can I say, these onions do things to me.”

Leighton laughed, and they made the purchase only to turn around to see Helen and her sister approaching the stand. Leighton and Helenhad seen each other a few times over the past couple of months and had actually smoothed things over rather well, considering. Helen had released a lot of the anger over the broken engagement and had even wished her and Jamie well. In the end, she’d agreed that it had all been for the best. She hadn’t been in love with Leighton either and could admit that would have been a problem.

“You’re in the paper again,” Helen said, pointing at Leighton without hesitating. “Hi, Jamie. Did you get the onions? These guys have the best.”

Jamie held up the bag. “Couldn’t resist.”

“Why am I in the paper this time?” Leighton asked innocently, knowing full well the likely reason. “One of my many good deeds? I did pick up trash in the park and return it to the bin.”

“More like Logan Morrow’s approval rating is in the toilet because of that viral video of you two at the airport. It’s been interesting watching him scramble.”

Leighton nodded. “It certainly has.” She hadn’t set out to destroy the guy’s reputation, but it wasn’t an awful bonus. His office had reached out to her several times, hoping to smooth things over. Logan himself had left two messages as well, suddenly interested in speaking with her, hearing how she was. Awfully convenient. Those calls were left unreturned. Leighton had released any and all lingering feelings about her second parent, and it was honestly the most freeing decision ever. Whether he got elected again or not was not up to her, nor would she follow his campaign. She gave Jamie’s hand a squeeze. She had an amazing life now and was focused entirely on enjoying it. “Do you two have big plans for the weekend?”

“This one does,” Tamara said with a mischievous grin.

“I don’t even want to tell you,” Helen deadpanned. “You wouldn’t believe me anyway.”

Jamie leaned in. “Then you definitely have to.”

Helen took a deep breath. “Here goes. Do you two remember the double date from hell?”

“It’s seared into my memory for all time,” Jamie said. “I feel like I should apologize again to all of you.”

“Same,” Leighton said with a wince.

Helen laughed and turned to her sister. “Why I didn’t know thatnight it was these two all along is beyond me.” Tamara shrugged, and Helen pressed on. “Anyway, I’m having dinner with Tegan tonight.”

“Stop it,” Jamie said. “I never would have guessed that you two…”

“She has a unique style I kinda liked, and we ran into each other at this little martini bar and decided to set something up.”

Leighton couldn’t have written this better herself. “If this goes anywhere, I think we’re gonna need another one of those doubles. This is all too good not to.”

Helen laughed. “I’ll keep you posted. Enjoy those onions.”

Jamie held two of them in her hands and sent Leighton her most suggestive look.

“God, I love you. We should get out of here and get you some action.”

“Now, I love you back. It’s like you can read my mind.”

They shared a kiss and continued on their way. “Wanna try this new merlot I’m thinking of ordering for the bars later tonight?”

“You realize that I will never turn down a glass with you.”

“A woman after my own heart.”

Leighton looked over at the woman who lit up every room she walked into. She’d done the same for Leighton’s life, sparking it into color the moment they’d found their way to each other. Jamie took her breath away daily and enriched her life with kindness, laughter, and warmth. “I love your heart,” she said back.

“It’s yours.”

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