Chapter 21
Twenty-One
Parker
We are in crunch time for Daniela’s wedding.
Luckily, she approved the table set up weeks ago.
I’ve already sent the order to Pierce for chairs outside.
We were going to rent them, but he thought it’d be best if we bought them.
I guess he has more faith in our ability to offer events than he previously did.
I’m still shocked he came to game night…
and had fun. He was giving Piper suggestions on games for the next one.
Part of me wonders if it was hiring more people that gave him the ability to relax.
Jasmin was right. I need to give my brother grace.
Even though we’re all equal owners in the winery, he takes on a lot of the responsibility.
Maybe it’s because he’s the oldest of us, I don’t know. But the stress of the events we’ve done has definitely eaten at me. I can’t imagine what he puts on himself to keep the winery going. Especially with how fast we’ve grown in the last year.
My phone rings and pulls my attention away from the list of things I need to do get done today. The wedding is next weekend and I have to make sure all my ducks are in a row.
I pick it up without a glance. “Hello?”
“Hey.” Jasmin’s voice is a balm to my nerves. “How’s everything going?”
“Oh, you know, mass chaos.” I move a few pieces of paper around on the desk to find the list I’m looking for. “I didn’t realize how important lists were until now.”
“I told you. A list makes everything more manageable.” She laughs and I wish she was with me right now. “Is there anything I can help with?”
The only thing I can think of is her being with me right now. That would put some of my stress at ease. Since we’ve been “dating” I’ve noticed how much I love being with her. Even when we’re only watching TV. The thought should scare me, but I want more time with her.
“Not really. It’s just finalizing a few details and making sure the deliveries will be here next week.”
“I can’t believe my baby sister is getting married in a week.
” She sighs. I know her well enough now to know it’s not bad.
She’s happy, but also sad. Her best friend is going to be striking out on her own with the love of her life.
“It’ll be quiet at the house when she’s gone.
She’s the silly one in our family dynamic and always knows how to lighten the mood. ”
“You can be silly, too. I’ve seen it.” She needs to know she’s not always the serious sibling. She doesn’t have to put on a brave and put together front for her family to love her.
“Yeah, but it comes so effortless to her. I’m going to miss it.”
I can’t help but chuckle. “You act like you’ll never see her again. Isn’t Jacob’s apartment like fifteen minutes away from you?”
“But what if they move? Since we’ve been in Asheville so much, I think they’re talking about looking at houses down there. Then she’ll be almost an hour away from me.” Panic rises in her voice. “What if she needs me? I won’t be right down the road to help.”
“Jasmin.” My voice is even and controlled. “Take a deep breath.” I wait until she does as I request. “You’re creating problems that don’t exist yet. Everything will be okay, I promise.”
The line is quiet for a moment and I wish I knew what was going on in her mind. If she were here, I’d be able to tell.
“You’re right. Honestly, you need to teach me your ways.”
“What do you mean?” I wasn’t aware I had any secret powers.
“You go with the flow. Not much worries you, and you keep a level head.”
I snort. I can’t help it. “That’s only because I’ve had years of practice. I’m the one who usually has to calm Piper down when she starts spiraling about an idea. Well, it was me and Beau. We’ve had practice since we were kids.”
“Oh, I didn’t realize they knew each other that long.” I can imagine her head tilted to the side trying to figure it out.
“They’ve been best friends since we were freshman in high school. He’s been family since before they made their relationship official.”
“Ah. That actually makes sense.” She clears her throat.
“Anyway, teach me to be more like you. Especially for tonight. We’re going dancing for Dani’s bachelorette party.
I’m looking forward to it, but her friends are on a whole other level.
I’m not sure I’ll be able to keep my cool after they’ve had a ton of drinks. ”
“Call me if you get overwhelmed. I’m sure we’ll be home early.” Which is why I’m stressed right now. I want to make sure everything on these lists are handled before I head to the ball field to meet Jacob and his friends.
“Won’t you be at Jacob’s bachelor party?”
“We’re going to a baseball game. Even if you call during the game, I’m sure I can sneak away for a few minutes to help you.”
I’m not even sure why he invited me. I’m not part of the wedding party. The only reason I can think of is because I’m with Jasmin. He’s going to be so upset with me if he finds out this was all a ruse.
“You always know what to say to bring me back down to reality.” I can hear the relief in her voice and the smile on her face. “I wish we could see each other before we go off for the night.”
“There’s always tomorrow.” Maybe she’ll say yes and we’ll have a chance to hang out before the wedding week madness begins.
“Sadly, I’ll probably be sleeping off a headache. And I need to make sure everything at work is good to go. It’s end of the month insanity, and I want to make sure I have everything done before I take off for the wedding.”
That makes sense. I don’t like it, but I know she has a lot more to do than I do. Especially when it comes to the wedding. I only have to ensure the spaces are set up. She has a lot more on her plate.
“Have fun tonight. Don’t drink too much. You might end up fighting one of the bridesmaids if you do.”
“That’s a probability of that happening with zero alcohol involved.” Both of us laugh at the same time. She’s not wrong. “Have fun watching baseball.”
“I’m overcome with excitement.” It’ll be cool hanging out with Jacob, but baseball is so not my sport. I’m more of a football and basketball enthusiast. “Seriously, have fun tonight. Everything will be fine.”
“Thanks, Parker. I needed that.” She pauses for a second. “I miss you and I’ll see you soon.”
“See you soon. Miss you too.” It’s too bad miss doesn’t seem like the appropriate word. It’s not big enough to encapsulate what I feel towards Jasmin.
I can’t dwell on it right now, though. I need to finish these tasks and get ready for the game.
“These seats are amazing.” My voice is loud to carry over the sound in the stadium. People pre-game for this just like the do football. It’s not something I expected, and the crowd is already hyped up.
“Right!” Jacob takes a drink of his beer. “One of my mom’s clients owed her a favor so we got them really cheap.”
Wow. I didn’t know owning a boutique provided clientele like that. Maybe I’ll bring it up with Piper. We could try to work something out with the local teams. She did say she wants to go big.
“I don’t think I’ve ever sat in a prominent place for any sport. We’re usually all the way at the top for football games and have to watch it on the screen. My dad swears he likes the vibe better.”
Personally, I hate it. Not the vibe, but the location. Even though I don’t have a fear of heights, the slope and closeness of the seats freak me out a little. Like what if I fall? Good gravy, Jasmin is wearing off on me.
“Same here.” Jacob agrees. “This is the first time I’ve ever sat on a baseline. Or this close. Maybe we’ll get lucky and catch a ball.”
Outside of the camaraderie with Jacob and his friends, I still don’t think baseball is my favorite sport. There isn’t enough constant action to keep my attention. Which is why I’m scrolling through social media on my phone to see if Jasmin has posted anything about their party.
There’s nothing except a picture of her and Daniela dressed up and ready to hit the town. She is stunning. Her long blonde hair is curled framing her face. Bright red lipstick stains her lips and I’m going to need her to wear that shade more often. Especially when it’s just us.
“Oh man, you’ve got it bad.” Jacob nudges my arm with his elbow. “I remember when I did that after a few months of dating Daniela.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I close the app and slide my phone into my pocket. “I just want to make sure she’s having a good time.”
“Daniela will take care of her.” Jacob assures me. “Jasmin may think she’s the one who manages everything, but Dani does a good job of taking care of her big sister. She doesn’t realize it, of course. Dani only wants to see her sister happy.”
He’s right. Jasmin doesn’t notice. She’s so worried about making sure everything is perfect, she doesn’t see that her sister is quietly taking things off her plate.
It also makes me realize I should be more like Daniela when it comes to Pierce. Maybe then he’ll be less grumpy. Maybe it truly is the little things.
“Does Jasmin know how much you care about her?” Jacob pulls me out of my thoughts.
“I think so.” Both of our insistence that we have an expiration date means she probably doesn’t. I’ll tell her after the rehearsal dinner. It’s the only time I’ll see her in person before the wedding. We need to have this conversation face to face.
“Tell her before she gets scared and bails out.” It sounds like Jacob knows her as well as her siblings do. Now that I think about it, he’s a lot like Beau. Maybe that’s why it’s so easy to hang out with him.
It feels weird having a plan. Piper would be proud of me.
She’ll also be happy to know I intend to keep Jasmin in my life if she’ll allow it.
Right now, I can’t imagine a future without her in it.
The thought should scare me. I’ve never felt this way about anyone.
But it does the opposite. I’m excited about a future I see her in.
We continue watching the game. The innings are so long. That’s one of the big differences between the sports I typically watch and baseball. There are time limits. This game feels like it could to take most of the night.
A foul ball comes in our direction and I turn to make sure Jacob sees it. He’s already standing with his hands out. As it gets closer, he leans slightly forward. Not enough to be in the way of the folks sitting below us, but just enough that if it misses them, he’ll catch it.
I move out of the way as it comes falling down over us. Getting a concussion tonight is not how I want things to play out.
The ball thuds as it hits Jacob’s hands. I know it has to have hurt, but you wouldn’t be able to tell from the smile on his face. Tonight, did end up being lucky for him. Me too, I just have to figure out what I’m going to tell Jasmin when I see her.