Chapter 11
Eleven
Parker
I can feel my sister’s eyes on me as we work through the next big group of customers. She’s judging me, I can tell.
“Where are our brothers? I thought you were pulling one of them in to help while I was at lunch.” They aren’t ones for being out in public, I know that. But sometimes you have to get out of your habits and do what needs to be done.
“Phillip was up here for a bit, but you took a thousand hours for your lunch break.” There’s a bite to her voice, and I don’t appreciate it.
“I wasn’t gone that long.” It takes everything in me not to roll my eyes. Our customers don’t need to see this drama play out. Piper must be stressed if she’s making remarks out here.
It’s not like her, and I feel bad for adding to it. She’s usually more go with the flow. It’s one of the reasons we drive our siblings bonkers. Well, that and the fact we’re the babies. We may or may not have gotten away with so much growing up.
The last few customers are away from the counter and looking over the wine selections. Piper pulls me into a tiny alcove in the corner of the room. “What the hell is going on?”
“What do you mean?” I’ve learned playing dumb helps me until I figure out the direction of the conversation.
She holds up one finger. “First you get a text then randomly rush off to lunch. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you get out of here that fast.” She holds up another finger.
“Then you come back with the woman you slept with and her sister. Whom we’re hosting for their wedding.
How can you not see how this could all backfire? ”
“Don’t berate me like I’m a child.” That’s the first thing she needs to know.
“I ran into Jasmin and Daniela at Out of the Ashes. They were in town to pick out flowers.” As much as I want to mock her and hold up my fingers in the same way, I don’t.
I won’t be petty. “Daniela’s fiancé happened to be with them so I invited them to come out so he can see the area. ”
“It doesn’t explain why you and Jasmin were holding hands when you walked in.” With the insanity happening in here, I’m surprised she even noticed. I should have known better, though. She sees everything.
“Not that my love life is any of your business, but we’re dating.” I should elaborate, but she doesn’t need to know the details. Not that any of them are factual, except I’m still attracted to Jasmine and can’t stop thinking about her. I’ll have to deal with that at some point in the future.
She opens her mouth to make an argument against it, but someone calls from the counter. “I think we’re ready to check out.”
“Don’t come to me for help when this blows up in your face.” My sister plasters on a smile before she focuses on our customers. This is my chance to escape. Her dig is something I’ll ignore for now. I’m going to chalk it up to stress and how busy we’ve been today.
I move around the counter to the front of the room where Jasmin, Daniela, and Jacob are waiting. Right now, I’ll do anything to get some space from my sister.
“Are you ready to see where you’ll get married?” The question is for Jacob, but Daniela grabs his hand and nods. “We’ll go out the side door.”
I walk ahead of them to give myself some space, but Jasmin slips her hand through mine.
Considering this entire ordeal is fake, it feels natural to be holding her hand and walking on our property.
Like she’s meant to be here. I’ve never had that feeling with anyone.
Hell, I’ve rarely brought anyone out to my place.
I open the door for Daniela and Jacob. Jasmin keeps me back to let them get some distance from us. “Is everything okay?”
“Yeah.” It’s not. Piper and I have fought plenty of times, but this is the first time it feels like she’s purposefully taking jabs at me. My dating life has never bothered her before. Even Phillip warned me about doing this.
“Are you sure? You seem…sad.”
Clearly Jasmin pays attention. I could’ve sworn I had my normal peppiness. I guess I was wrong.
“My sister is being weird. Honestly, it’s almost like I’m working under Pierce.”
“I’m sure things will calm down.” She gives my hand a quick squeeze as we follow her sister to the location she’s picked to get married.
One of my favorite things is watching people take in the view of our property.
Not to be cocky or anything like that. But because it’s truly beautiful out here.
As much as I love going out, I don’t think I could move to a city.
There’s a tranquility at Starlit Fields I don’t think I’ll find anywhere else.
“It’s beautiful out here.” Jacob says as his head swivels from side to side. “Has your family always owned this?”
Have they? I’m not sure. I know my great-grandparents had this land, but past that, I have no clue. Maybe I should have paid attention when Dad talked about the family legacy.
“I’m sure at some point it may have belonged to someone else. I’ll have to ask my dad next time I see him. They are off on another cruise.”
Not that I blame them. They’ve put a ton of time in here, they deserve to spend their free time doing whatever they want. Now, I don’t think we were ready to take over, but we’re figuring it out.
“That sounds like a dream.” Daniela grins and sways, her hands clasped together in front of her chest. “That’ll be us one day, babe.”
Jacob wraps his arm around her and places a kid on the side of her head. “Absolutely. I can’t wait to start traveling the world with you.”
The both of them are making googly eyes at each other.
It’s awkward. Not for them, obviously. But for me and Jasmin.
I doubt either of us have thought that far into the future.
At least not with a significant other. Traveling is something I’ve always wanted to do.
It’s finding the time to actually do it that’s been the issue.
Since our parents retired, it’s all hands on-deck.
“Maybe we should let them have their moment,” Jasmin whispers as she pulls me away from the happy couple.
“Are they for real? I’ve only seen two people act like that.”
“Yep. They are sickeningly sweet. I’m happy for them, don’t get me wrong.
But having their love fest shoved in my face all the time kind of sucks.
They are being themselves, and I can’t imagine a better partner for my sister.
Jacob is probably the greatest guy she’s ever been with. He worships the ground she walks on.”
She leads us toward the small pond with a gazebo next to it.
We sit down on the small bench. Now, that I think about it, I should ask Daniela where she’s taking her bridal photos.
I’m pretty sure that’s a thing that happens.
Anyway, this would be a great location. We can even do it before we open for the day.
“Do you think you’ll ever finds someone like that?” When she raises an eyebrow at me, I add, “Someone who will bend over backwards for you?”
“Well, I kind of already have.” Where’s she going with this? I didn’t think she was seeing anyone. If that’s the case, why am I here? There’s no point in any of this fake dating.
“Who?”
Her free hand flies to cover her face. “Oh my God. I was talking about you.”
“We aren’t even really together.” Sitting here, on my family’s property, with our hands joined feels less fake than it should. I’m not upset about it, though.
“But you didn’t bat an eye when I asked you to be my fake boyfriend. You’re even willing to go along with all the wedding shenanigans. I don’t know many real boyfriends who would be willing to do that.”
“Clearly you haven’t been dating the right guys.” I give her hand a gentle squeeze. Hanging out with her today, things feel real. Like we are supposed to be a couple. Dear God, I’m starting to sound like Piper. She’s the one who believes in fate. Not me.
“Oh, I know I haven’t.” She snorts and covers her face again. “Well, now I’m even more embarrassed.
“Don’t be, it’s cute.” A piece of hair flies in front of her face, and I reach over to push it behind her ear.
She closes her eyes and leans into the movement, and I think my heart stops for the briefest moment.
I thought she was beautiful when she had her guard up at the party.
But right now, she appears to be content with not a care in the world, and she is absolutely stunning.
I fear this woman might actually break me.
“I think we should go on an actual date.” She opens her eyes and gauges my reaction. “We would be able to get more comfortable with each other. Plus, it’ll really sell us as a couple to your family.”
“You realize that would have to happen at a restaurant here, right? That’s the only way word is going to get back to them that I’ve been seen with the same girl more than once.”
“Dang, that whole thing about small town gossip is true?” Her eyes are wide. It’s adorable how she doesn’t know how small towns work.
“Yes, it is. It’s why I stayed in trouble as a teen. My friends’ parents would rat me out to my parents. It was a whole thing. You can’t do anything in this town without someone finding out. But they are protective of their own.” I sigh and lean back against the bench. “It’s a double-edged sword.”
“Sounds like it.”
“Oh, and on that note. If you don’t want anything repeated, do not say anything to the head bartender at Out of the Ashes.”
“Why? He seemed really nice.”
“He is. But…he likes to get into everyone’s business and try to play cupid. He’s been doing it for years.” He was the one who pushed Beau into telling my sister how he felt about her.
“Is he any good at it? The cupid thing?” Jasmin’s head tilts to the side while she waits for my answer.
“Actually, he is. It’s kind of scary how often he’s had a hand in couples getting together. I refuse to tell him, though. It’ll go straight to his head.”
“That’s good to know.” Something passes over her face, but I can’t tell what it is.
Leaves shuffle behind us, and I know our alone time is over.
“Oh my gosh, I have to take some of my pictures here. I don’t know how I missed it last time we were here.” Daniela says as her and Jacob approach.
“Funnily enough, I was going to suggest the same thing.” I turn toward them.
“Actually, while I have the three of you here, you should come out again in a few weeks. We have a yearly Spring Blooms Festival. There are vendors, food, and carnival rides. It’ll really give you the whole small town experience. ”
“That sounds like fun.” Jacob leans against the pillar. “I’ll make sure my mom doesn’t schedule Daniela. Maybe we can make a weekend out of it.”
“Will you come too?” I direct this at Jasmin.
“Sure. It sounds like an eventful day.” She shrugs her shoulders. I don’t think she’s prepared for the crowd this event brings to our town. Who knows? Maybe she’ll enjoy it because people from all over come to look at the flowers.
“I have a feeling I’ll fall in love with Asheville.” Jacob adds. He glances at his watch. “We should probably get going, though. We’re having dinner with my mom to show her what we decided on today.”
I don’t miss the frustration that flashes over Daniela’s face.
“Let me walk you to your car.”
The door of the main building opens at that exact moment. I expect Piper, but it’s Peter motioning me to come inside.
“We’ll let you get back to work.” Jasmin leans over and places a kiss on my cheek. I have the urge to move my head so it’ll hit my lips, but I don’t. We haven’t really set any boundaries. “Call me when you get off?”
“As soon as I’m walking out the door.”
I watch them before heading toward my brother, and I want to wipe the knowing grin off his face. She’s definitely going to break me.