Hot Under the Collar by Roxanne St. Claire

Author:Roxanne St. Claire
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: South Street Publishing
Published: 2019-05-20T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fifteen

“This place looks different.” As Braden parked his truck in a crowded lot, he peered into the early evening light that poured over the entrance of Overlook Glen Vineyards. The rambling fieldstone farmhouse sat about ten miles west of Bitter Bark, perched high on a hill with a commanding view of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

The last time he’d been here was on a call with the fire department because the owner, an older man, had smelled gas and was afraid there could be a leak. The winery had been run-down and nearly abandoned, the rolling hills of the vineyard nearly barren then. But tonight, the landscaping was sharp, the stonework looked like it had been repaired, and rows of rich green grape vines were visible all around.

“I’ve never even been here before.” Simone shifted in her seat, adjusting the skintight white dress that kept creeping up her legs.

“I’d heard it was going to go out of business,” he said. “But I think there’s a new owner.” He shot a glance to the woman in the passenger seat, catching her wiping her palms on her thighs. “You nervous, Simone?”

She gave him a quick smile. “Should I be?”

“To go to a cocktail party? No.”

“To go to a cocktail party with my ex-boyfriend? Yes.”

He considered how to answer that and stuck with the approach he’d taken since he and Jelly Bean had pulled up to her apartment complex to pick her up for the black-tie event. He played it straight, unflirtatious, uninviting, and cool. Every time Simone flipped a little flirt his way, he refused to volley back.

This was a fundraising arrangement, not a date.

“Well, your best pal is right there in the back.” He pointed his thumb to Jelly Bean, who sat on his haunches, looking out the window, unconcerned that he wore a bow tie that Simone had insisted on wrapping around his neck.

Oh, and speaking of bow ties…Braden took a cursory scan around the lot, skimming over the groups and couples headed to the main entrance of the winery. The men all looked alike in penguin suits, the women, like Simone, decked out in a lot of sparkle and bling. The dogs, sure enough, wore either bow ties or glittery collars.

Would Cassie get all dolled up for her “business” meeting with…Adonis?

“What’s the matter?” Simone asked, putting a hand on his arm.

“Nothing,” he lied.

“You look like your stomach hurts or something.”

“I’m fine.” But trying to act like this “date” wasn’t the most wrong thing he’d done in ages was kind of making him feel sick. He had to be cordial to a woman he’d long ago stopped thinking about, because she’d bought him, all the time knowing that the woman he wanted at his side was with another man.

She squeezed his arm. “You’re mad at me.”

“Nope. I’m happy the fire department got all that money.” He flipped off his seat belt, and she did the same, reaching down to the floor to slide her shoes back on. He noticed that

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