10. Matt
Chapter 10
Matt
“H ey, boss.”
I watch as Kylie strolls into the winery. She’s sexy in a t-shirt with cutoff jean shorts and her hair in a ponytail. It takes me right back to high school summers when we’d spend the days chasing every last bit of sun we could find before we’d grab hold of the moonlight and I’d peel those shorts off her body. And I almost tell her that but bite the inside of my lip to regain my composure.
I never got over Kylie Johnson. It’s why I called her my Kylie when my mom mentioned her name at the estate signing. She was always meant to be mine and I have no logical reason for why I let her get away.
If you listen to my mother’s reasoning, it’s because I was stubborn and chasing a dream that wasn’t real. She and dad were always supportive of me playing football. It was a passion I could never get enough of. From watching to playing to drawing up new plays, football was at the top of my list. Kylie was tied for that top space, but when she said college life wasn’t for her, I figured that meant me too. And along with my college life was football. I couldn’t replace one with the other, so I let her make the decision. She went home and I moved on.
It was the dumbest thing I’ve ever done. Besides thinking I’d make it pro.
“Boss? Never been called that before. Doesn’t sound so bad.”
She laughs before sliding onto the stool in front of the bar and raising a brow. “Don't get used to it. The National Wine Day Event is in four days, and after that? I don't work for you anymore.”
“I better take advantage of this boss thing then, huh?” My lips twist as her eyes dilate. And if I didn't know better, I’d think she was turned on by the thought of being bossed around.
The time has flown by as we planned this event for the town. The late-night texts and stops by the winery from Kylie and Sadie, where we all enjoyed a glass of wine, soon all of it turned into excitement. The weeks blurred together in a rush of decorations and figuring out just how many string lights were too many. According to my mother, apparently you can never have enough. But in the middle of all the chaos and planning, something shifted. I started feeling connected to this town again. I started envisioning my future living right here in Starlight Bay. And it was all because of Kylie. I wasn’t just getting by anymore, I was enjoying myself and looking forward to each new day.
And Liam was thriving again. After seeing how easy it was for his own mother to just leave him, I had to be careful about who I let in his life. So while I do my best to protect him from people who come and go, we’re learning together that this town brings people that stick.
Kylie sticks.
And Liam is noticing.
So am I.
“Hm, you can try.” She winks and then hops off the stool. “Sadie is on her way. We’ve got the last of the centerpieces coming in along with the signs for each table.” She turns on me. “You did call the table company, right? I need those ten-foot-long tables for the tastings.”
“Sounds like you’re the boss now.”
She flashes that million-dollar smile that always made me agree to whatever she wanted. “I’m just making sure you’ve got everything I need, Matt.”
My dick hardens in my jeans at her loaded words. I know she knows exactly what she’s doing, I just don’t understand why. I glance at her hand, reminding myself that she’s engaged— she’s not mine anymore —and I have to do a double take.
She’s not wearing her ring.
I make my way out from behind the bar and follow her as she walks to the back deck of the winery. There are boxes everywhere, and she begins going through them, pulling out the linens. I have to ask why she isn’t wearing her ring. I know it’s stupid, and it’s most likely because she’s going to be doing heavy work here, but I don’t know. There’s something different about how she entered the place and her teasing banter feels like more than just old times.
“Hey, um, is everything ok?”
She doesn't look at me, only continues pulling the tablecloths out. “Yes, fine. What do you think of this color?”
She turns around holding a tablecloth, and I say, “Green is nice.”
“It’s not green, it’s emerald.” She pulls another one out. “How about this? Do they clash?”
“I mean, green and yellow are pretty bright.”
She throws a glance over her shoulder at me again. “ Emerald and gamboge aren’t bright, Matt. They’re meant to be flattering colors so the wine can shine.” I roll my lips in, trying to keep my laughter at bay but she calls me on it anyway. “Don’t you dare laugh at me either.”
“Spell gamboge.”
She turns on me with fire in her eyes and hands on her hips, the linens bunching at her sides and making her look like a peacock. Before she can get another word out, I step closer. “Don’t hurt the colors! With a name like gamboge I’m sure they have very strong feelings.” She shakes her head at me and I calmly tell her, “I’m just teasing you.” I reach for her instinctively, sliding my hand around her wrist, urging her to step forward. “Tell me what’s going on.”
She almost gives in to defeat but then pushes her shoulders back. I drop my eyes to her chest for a split second, to her more than a handful of breasts that always fit perfectly in mine. She clears her throat and I scrub my face with my hand. “Sorry, old habits, ya know?” She rolls her eyes and I realize I’m still holding onto her wrist. I drop my hand.
Silence falls across the winery but the memories of us are loud. Laughing together, hearing her cheer for me on the field, holding her after a game, the squeak of my truck as she rode me in it, crying when we said goodbye … it all plays on repeat.
“I broke up with Patrick.”
And that sentence seems like it’s told to me through a bullhorn. Loud and clear as day.
“You what?”
“I called off the engagement.”
“Ky...” Her name lingers in the air. I want to pull her in for a hug, but I don't know what the right thing to do is right now. Will I look like a creep for holding her after she just told me she broke up with her fiancé? I’m already a creep for staring at her tits. Thinking about how hard she’d get me.
Fuck.
“It’s alright. I'm not upset.”
She moves past me and steps onto the grass and I follow. “Are you sure?”
She inhales deeply as I come to stand beside her. Everything feels like it’s in a spotlight right now. The sun is highlighting the grapevines tangled around their wooden posts. The grass is bright green thanks to the rain we got last week. And the breeze that circles around us, binding us together, reminds me I’m standing next to my first love.
“Have you ever gone along with something for fear of disappointing others, instead of thinking about yourself?” Before I can answer, she continues. “I had brunch with your mom the other day. The mimosas we were drinking were a beautiful shade of chiffon.” She elbows me and I laugh.
“So I’m guessing that’s more champagne than OJ?”
“Hmm. She reminded me that the only one I have to please is myself. And if others don’t like it, they can kiss it.”
I guffaw. “Sounds like something Kathleen would say.”
“I needed to hear it. For years, I did what I wanted, and then for the last couple, I’ve done what makes others happy first. And I’m not quite sure why.”
“You’ve always tried to make others happy first, Ky. That’s nothing new.”
She smiles softly. “My sister said the same. I guess making others happy made me happy before.” She pauses. “But making Patrick happy was making me miserable. And I had to hop off that train, ya know?”
I think back to my marriage with Gina. I was doing the same thing. Putting my happiness last just to keep things on good terms for my son. But that wasn’t doing him any favors. And I realized it the first weekend we were back in Starlight Bay. His smile and belly laughs were something I hadn’t seen or heard in quite some time. And it wasn’t until I made a decision that benefited us both that I saw it.
“I know exactly what you mean.”
She claps her hands. “I have an idea!”
I bark out a laugh. “Uh oh, I’ve heard that come out of your mouth a time or two. It usually ended with us in trouble or naked.” The second that word leaves my mouth, my eyes go wide and I bite my lip. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean—” She bursts out into laughter, and a moment later I follow, and it continues until tears run down our cheeks. “Fuck. I’m sorry, Ky.”
She shakes her head, getting herself under control. “Don’t be. I needed that laugh.” She grabs my arms and spins me back toward the winery. “Come on. Like I said, I have an idea.”