Chapter 15
Fifteen
Parker
I think I’ve been on my phone more now than I’ve ever been. At least, since high school. Jasmin and I talk every day when we get off work. Sometimes she falls asleep and I don’t have the heart to hang until she does when she wakes up.
It’s the only way we’ve been able to stay in touch since dinner with her family. Last weekend I ended up helping my sister interview people. We’ve only done second interviews with two of them.
Last night was one of those nights, even though we get to spend the day together. Granted I’ll be working for part of it, but after Piper takes over, I’ll be all Jasmin’s. I plan on showing her how small towns go big. My only hope is Daniela and Jacob go off on their own.
“Is that everything?” Piper steps beside with me her tablet in her hands.
It’s way too early for her to be this full of energy. She used to be the one who hated mornings. Today I’m dragging because my evenings are filled with talking to my fake girlfriend. But it’s starting to feel real, and I think I like it.
“Yep. Did you get the payment stuff?”
“Already in my car.” She taps something on the screen then pulls it to her chest in a hug. She’s so odd. “I’ll see you over there. I’m gonna stop and pick us up some coffee. You look like you need it.”
“That’s kind of mean.”
“Nope.” She shakes her head. “Mean would be offering you the eye masks I keep in my bag.”
She’s right. That would have been brutal. “Any chance you want to grab donuts, too?”
“If I have time.” She pats my back like I’m her kid brother when in reality, I’m older. “See you at the booth. The normal set up should be fine.”
With my marching orders, I get in my truck and head to town. Thank goodness Philip and Peter did the main set up last night. Doing all that on my own is not what I want this morning. I just hope the day goes quickly so I can take Jasmin around and show her how great this town is.
The Spring Blooms Festival gets larger every year. A lot of it is because of Samantha and her boyfriend. Not only did they get the schools and community involved, but the social media presence from the people who come to see the flowers has exploded.
I’m not mad about it, though. It means more foot traffic and sales for us.
A lot of the food vendors sell our wine, and we give out a ton of free samples.
Which makes those going on the trails stop at the winery.
Plus, we still sell bottles from the booth for those in town who only come to the festival to let their littles wear off some energy.
“Can I get a sangria sample?”
I know that voice anywhere. When I look up Jasmin’s dark brown eyes are on me.
“Anything for a beautiful woman.”
Her cheeks turn a soft pink beneath her sun hat. “I bet you say that to all the ladies.”
“Not really. You’re the only one I’ve ever invited out here.”
I hear “awws” from the group of older ladies behind her. At least they are feeling the swoon. I can’t tell if Jasmin believes me, or if she thinks it’s only a line.
“It’s really crowded out here. I didn’t think there would be this many people in such a small town.” She glances around at the throngs of people surrounding the booths and food trucks. “Businesses must thrive at this event.”
“We do. Most of the people who come are from out of town. We grow pretty flowers out here.”
“Yes, you do.” Although I can’t see her as I’m prepping her wine sample, I can feel her eyes traveling down my body.
I hand her the plastic cup of sangria and she moves to the side of the table, letting the people behind her get their samples.
It’s weird having someone watch me while I work. Piper does because she’s worried I’ll mess something up, but it’s mostly when it comes to the events. I don’t blame her since it’s brand new.
The big group of ladies are walking to the next booth with their wine samples in hand. They grabbed a card before they left and I know they’ll be stopping at the winery at some point over the weekend.
“Where’s your sister? I thought she was working the booth with you.”
I motion for her to join me behind the table. As long as she doesn’t serve the wine, she’ll be fine. Plus, it adds time for us to spend together. Honestly, I wasn’t expecting her to come until closer to the end of my booth time. It’s a nice surprise.
“She’s taking over in about an hour. Right now, her and Beau are probably making out in the funhouse.”
“Why do I feel like there’s a story there?”
“Let’s just say I’ll never go into another one.” I shutter at what he and my sister are most likely doing. Of all the places for them to realize they loved each other as more than friends, it’s definitely unique.
“Please tell me we won’t be visiting that attraction.”
“Absolutely not.” I get another set of cups ready for samples. “I thought Daniela and Jacob were coming.”
“Oh, they beat me here. I’m sure their first stop was a food truck. He loves to see what each of them offer.” She takes off her hat now that she’s under the tent. “Honestly, if he didn’t have to help his mom with the boutique, he would be in the food industry.”
“He should. Especially if he loves food so much. I’m a firm believer in doing what you love. Life is too short to be miserable.”
“And do you love what you do? You don’t feel a familial obligation to work for the winery?”
I don’t think I’ve ever been asked that, and I take a couple of minutes to answer.
“I do love it. Coming up with flavors and testing them is my favorite part. Going to meetings to be included in stores is easy work for me. In case you haven’t noticed, I’m pretty charming.”
Jasmin is quiet as she studies me. “You’re definitely charming. I thought I was going to have competition with the group behind me. But what about the events? Do you like those?”
“It’s still a new job title. I’m figuring my way around it.” I don’t want to tell her I hate it. Especially since I’m the one in charge of her sister’s wedding. “Right now, I don’t even know if it’s something we’re always going to offer. My sister wanted to try it out.”
Secretly I’m hoping it doesn’t. Not because I want her idea to fail, but I really think she bit off more than we can chew.
When we do the events it’s easier because we’re working on our timeline and we can limit some things.
But other people are much more demanding.
Like the baby shower we’re hosting tomorrow.
I don’t like working with people like that.
Or having to dodge unwanted advances. That woman just won’t take the hint.
“Well, I hope whatever you do, it’s successful. If you didn’t do events, we would have never reconnected, and you wouldn’t be my fake boyfriend.”
Hearing her say fake feels like a knife to the gut. More so after the kiss the other night. Nothing about that felt like pretend. It’s probably the most real I’ve been with anyone.
“True. That’s the best thing to come out of it since you refuse to give me your number.”
“Hey, it’s not like you were offering up yours.” She laughs and drinks the last of her sample. “I think things worked out the way they were supposed to.”
Another group of people stop at the booth and ask about our wines. One even buys a bottle with the promise of checking out the winery.
“Talking to people is definitely your super power. You do it with so much ease.”
“You have no idea how many teachers tried to get me to join the debate team in high school.” They thought with my gift of gab I’d be able to win for them. But I didn’t want to do it.
“I bet you were popular in high school.” She sits in one of the chairs we brought. “I was quiet, kept my head down, and did what I needed to.”
“I guess I was.” I shrug and glance around to see if there are any potential customers. “But I hung out with everyone. I didn’t belong to a clique and kind of did what I wanted.”
“From what I can tell, you’re still the same.”
“Except I make smarter decisions…most of the time.” I wink at her.
Piper and Beau round the corner and come behind the tables. “I’m here to start my shift.” She glances at Jasmin. “Oh, I didn’t realize you were already here. I would have come back sooner. How are you?”
“I’m good. And waiting was no problem. I got to see Park in his element.” She stands and pulls my sister into a hug. “It’s good to see you.”
Piper’s body is stiff for a second before she returns the hug. I think it’s because she was caught off guard. She’s the hugger in the family so this feels normal to her.
“Well, if y’all are done hugging it out, I think we’re gonna go.” I hike my thumb over my shoulder. “There’s a lot to see.”
“Not really.” Piper laughs as she pulls back from Jasmin “Oh, before I forget. Even though I’m sure you’ll see him when you come hang out. This is my boyfriend, Beau.”
Beau holds out his hand. “Nice to meet you. Don’t do anything we wouldn’t do.”
“Hi, I’m Jasmin. Trust me we won’t.” She giggles after shaking his hand.
Beau looks confused, but my sister glares at me. She knows I must have mentioned the funhouse. It’s hard not to when Beau rented one at the winery to make things up to her.
“We’ll see y’all later. Let me know if I need to help load up before you leave.”
“Philip is coming to help with that. I told him you had plans.” She wags her eyebrows up and down. Oh my God. She should never do that again.
With that, I grab Jasmin’s hand and pull her out of the tent. I’ll be damned if I let my baby sister embarrass me.
“Whoa, what’s the rush?” Jasmin’s voice is breathless as she tries to keep up with me.
“Nothing.” Once I’m sure we’re far enough away from the booth, I slow our pace. “I’m just excited to show you our town’s festivities.”
“Or you’re trying to keep me from hearing anything scandalous about you from Piper.” She smirks as she glances over at me. “That’s it, isn’t it? You don’t want to look bad in front of me.”
“No, I don’t. But also, there’s no telling what will come out of my sister’s mouth.” Which is why we high-tailed it out of there.
“I can’t wait to hang out with your sister alone.” I swear there’s way too much joy in her words.
I hope that never happens, but I know it will if we really want to sell this relationship. Or, if we want to make this thing real. I’m really hoping for the latter.
“Have you eaten, yet? I’m starving and know the perfect food truck.”
“I could eat.”
At least she didn’t comment on my evasiveness. Now to wow her before she has to go home.