Chapter 23
The tasting room was filled with a very long table and more chairs than usual. Fairy lights were strung along the railings and beams. It was only the rehearsal dinner, but the place looked ready for a wedding. Sherry really knew how to pull an event together.
We had already done a run-through of the ceremony and were now indulging in good food and even better wine. I manned the bar even though, technically, I was off the clock. Donna and Chris were here to help out, and I made sure they were paid double their usual salary.
Phoebe and Laurent sat at the head of the table. My parents sat next to them, along with Phoebe’s half-sister, Parker, who flew from Italy with them. Phoebe’s stepmom still wasn’t talking to her after Phoebe helped Parker get out of her own wedding, and though no one said anything, I think we were all relieved that woman was far away from here. Phoebe’s dad sat on the other side, followed by our family, the rest of the bridal party, and several friends who were visiting from out of town.
There was one person missing. Lanes wasn’t in the bridal party, but she was still family. But she was also in charge of the cake, and she was determined to make it as fresh as possible. She’d be working through the night to get it done and ready for the wedding tomorrow.
We hadn’t told anyone about us. It’s not that we didn’t want to. I was done letting my family’s opinions of me shadow what Lanes and I had. But we also didn’t want to take away from Phoebe and Laurent’s day. They’d been planning and waiting long enough. They deserved all the attention.
Laurent dinged his fork against his wine glass and stood. “Phoebe and I wanted to thank everyone for coming and celebrating our wedding day with us. Our family and friends are everything to us and…” Laurent ran a hand over his face.
“We love you, too,” I called out, and everyone looked at me, giving Laurent a second to get it together. He nodded, and when everyone laughed and agreed, Laurent held his glass up.
“Our journey was long, but worth it, and all of you were a part of it. So thank you for being here, supporting us and loving us. We love you all. Now eat and drink. We have plenty.”
Cheers erupted in the tasting room, and Laurent bent down to kiss Phoebe, who smiled at him with pure love and affection.
Conversations broke out, and people drifted away from the table and clustered in small groups. Rose and Wyatt cranked up the music and made an impromptu dance floor, and were joined by Parker, Rhone, and Sutton.
My phone vibrated in my pocket, and I slipped it out. Lainey’s name flashed on my screen. I clicked into the message.
Lainey: My idiot brother knocked over the bottle of Pinot. It shattered everywhere. I don’t have enough to finish the cake. Can I swing by and grab a bottle? No one will even know I’m there.
I smiled. We were in the tasting room. Everyone would notice. Then she would get to talking, eating, drinking, and she would be up all night trying to get the cake done.
I tapped the screen and replied.
Nero: I’ll bring the bottle to you.
Not even two seconds passed before my phone buzzed again.
Lainey: Absolutely not! You are not leaving your brother’s rehearsal dinner because of me!
She was always so concerned about everyone else.
Nero: Trust me. No one will even know I’m gone.
Lainey: Okay then. Park in the back. I’ll leave the door unlocked.
I went up to the bar, grabbed two bottles of Pinot Noir and a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc, and stopped by Donna. “If anyone asks, I had to run out.”
“Everything okay?” she asked.
“Cake emergency, but don’t tell anyone.”
Donna laughed. “No problem. And let Lainey know the cake will be fabulous, like it always is.” She winked, and I wondered if word had already gotten out about Lanes and me. Then I remembered Donna was amazing at her job for a reason. She was observant and knew of rumors before they even hit the gossip mill.
“Will do.” I slipped away before anyone could notice.
I hopped in my Porsche and headed across town. It was after eight, and Main Street was already dead, except for a few cars outside of Don’s. I pulled around back and parked in an open space in front of the delivery door, then headed inside, holding the three bottles.
“Lanes?” I called out when I didn’t see her in the kitchen. The scent of freshly baked cakes filled my senses and made my mouth water.
“Over here.”
I followed her voice to the walk-in fridge. She placed a stacked caked on a shelf and slowly backed away, her hands held up in front of her. Once she closed the door with ease, she turned to me. “Hi.” Her smile lit the whole damn room.
“Hi.” I ignored the bottles of wine in my hand. I wrapped my hand around her waist, pressing one of the bottles into her backside, and pulled her to me, kissing her and making up for our time apart.
She sighed into my mouth and melted into the kiss before snatching a bottle out of my hand and pushing my chest. “Thank you. Now head back to the rehearsal dinner before someone notices you’re gone.”
“I told you. No one will notice.” I put the other two bottles down and reeled her in, capturing her lips and swiping my tongue along her seam.
She moaned, then growled before wriggling away. “I have to finish.”
I pouted. “Can I stay? You're sexy when you bake?”
“As long as you promise not to be a distraction.” She pointed her finger. “No touching. And absolutely no sexy eyes.”
She was adorable when she was being bossy. I held my hands up. “You won’t even know I’m here.”
“You’re full of shit, but you can stay anyway.”
I grabbed the bottle of Sauvignon Blanc. “I brought your favorite.”
“You just want to liquor me up, so I forget my responsibilities and let you take advantage of me.”
“Lanes, you have work to do. I will not let you play out your fantasies with me.”
“And what fantasies would that be?”
“Bending that sweet ass over that metal table, spreading your legs, and—”
“Stop talking.”
“Why? Are we getting hot and bothered?”
“All I can think about is how many health violations that would cause.”
“No one needs to know. Besides, we can bleach the place after.”
“Maybe when the cake is done. Phoebe and Laurent deserve the perfect wedding cake, and I need to deliver.” She handed me two glasses. “Pour the wine, sit there, and look pretty.”
“As long as you know I’ll be thinking about your amazing, sexy, naked body the whole time.”
“As long as your dick stays in your pants and you keep your thoughts to yourself, have at it.”
I handed her a glass of wine. “You make things so hard.” My eyebrow lifted and I shot a quick glance down at my dick.
“Seriously? You failed within three seconds. Out!”
“No! I mean difficult. You make things difficult.”
“I’ll let that one slide.” She held her finger up. “Now stay there and behave yourself.”
“For you, I’ll try.”