Just a Kiss: The Single Girls Wine Club (A Wine Country Romance #1) (12 page)

Juliet tapped her on the shoulder. “Take the gloves off. Jamie’s here.”

“Yeah right.” Sarah smirked and kept washing the pan.

Juliet bumped her with her hip. “Take ‘em off and turn around,” she said directly into her ear. “Now…”

Sarah shut the water off, shook her hands, and removed the gloves. She shot a smirk at Juliet and turned to find Lulu, Danica and Jamie standing there, staring at her. Danica seemed frozen in the middle of the room holding a dirty serving platter. Lulu looked flustered holding a hammer in one hand and her grapevine wreath in the other. Jamie stood behind her.

“I tried to call.” He inched into the room closer to Sarah, turning to Lulu as if he owed her an explanation. “Sarah, your phone is off.”

Lulu gripped her wreath like a gunslinger, cocked her head and leveled an unflinching glare at him. It got very quiet. The women’s eyes were on Sarah.

“Jamie, you’ve met Lulu,” she said. “Lulu, this is Jamie Santino.”

“Met? He scared me to death.” She harrumphed. “Sneaking up on an old woman like that in the dark…up on a ladder. I could’ve cracked my skull.”

“I’m sorry about that. I didn’t mean to scare you,” Jamie said.

Juliet’s eyes got big. “Lulu, we told you we'd help you with the ladder.”

Danica frowned in Lulu’s direction.

“Jamie, you know Danica and Juliet,” Sarah said.

They each nodded to him, but no one spoke. No one moved.

“Danica, are you going to put that platter down?” Sarah asked and turned to Jamie. “Would you like to sit?”

“No, thank you. This won’t take long. I planned to ask you today, but since you didn’t come to work…” He glanced at the other women’s unmoving stares. “I thought you might like to come to the house tomorrow.”

Sarah shook her head. “No, thanks.”

“My father and Michael are releasing the new Estate Cabernet. The whole family will be there." Jamie cast his eyes down.

Sarah bore her gaze into him and crossed her arms.

“What I mean to say is…um…there will be a lot of people there, it’s going to be a huge party. I think you’d have a lot of fun. Sarah?” he asked.

Danica, Juliet, and Lulu turned their heads from Jamie to Sarah in unison like they were watching a tennis match.

“Probably not a good idea,” Sarah said.

All eyes went back to Jamie.

“Of course, you're all invited.” Jamie smiled at Lulu, who gave him nothing but an icy stare. He looked at Juliet, who gave him no response and then turned to Danica’s excited grin.

“That would be fantastic!” Danica beamed. “Thank you so much for inviting me…us. Juliet, you don’t have any plans tomorrow, right?”

Juliet threw a pleading look at Sarah, shrugged and waited.

“Okay.” Sarah let out a heavy sigh. “Sure, why not…if we’re all invited.”

Jamie's shoulders relaxed. “Wonderful, The event starts at four, but you can come anytime.”

“Four thirtyish?” Sarah asked.

“Perfect.” Jamie turned to Juliet. “Can you make it?”

She nodded. “Yeah, okay.”

“Will there be any single men?” Lulu asked. “My age?”

“Of course. All of my uncles will be there,” Jamie said. “You can have your pick.”

“Then it looks like you can add four to your big party list.” Lulu still wasn’t smiling. “Let me walk you to the door.”

“So I’ll see you tomorrow Sarah?” Jamie started to step toward her and stopped.

Sarah readjusted her crossed arms.

He shook his head and lifted his hands like he was carrying something heavy. “Tomorrow? Sarah?”

“I told you I’d be there.”

“Good,” Jamie said under his breath, following Lulu out of the kitchen.

“My head could’ve splattered like a watermelon,” Lulu’s scolding tone rang through the hall. “You wouldn’t have felt so dandy with my brain guts all over the porch now would you? I’m not a young woman you know.”

The women didn’t say anything until they were sure Lulu and Jamie were out of earshot.

Danica shrieked, “Do you believe it?”

“I can’t believe Lulu,” Juliet said. “She’s so protective.”

“I know, but Jamie…can you believe Jamie?” Danica asked. “Jamie Santino was blushing.”

The next day, the freshly spiffed and spritzed women piled into Sarah’s Prius. It would only take twenty minutes get to the Santino Estate in Napa. Lulu had called shotgun. She shielded her eyes from the late afternoon glare. Sarah, Juliet and Lulu had spent an extra ten minutes getting their “wine country casual up” look together. Danica had taken an additional hour, not including the time it took her to explain the dress code to Sarah and Juliet in forensic detail.

According to Danica, “wine country casual” without the “up” meant dressing very casual, in something you’d wear to the farmers market, or out for a quick coffee. When the word “up” was added to “wine country casual,” the meaning changed and required more time to get ready. The desired result was that you looked very put together, but not like you tried.

“Do you think my cowboy boots look too new?” Danica smoothed the leg of her jeans tucked inside her new distressed Tony Lama’s.

“Stop it,” Juliet said from the backseat. “That’s the third time you asked. They look fine.”

They turned onto the olive tree bordered drive leading to the Santino Estate and found a mishmash of cars parked along every inch of what had to be a quarter mile road. Cars, trucks, and motorcycles were squeezed haphazardly into whatever space they could fit. Some were half on the road, half on the grass. There were bikes in ditches, and a few big trucks were lodged into thick grass.

Sarah slowed the car to a crawl to avoid hitting groups of guests walking in the street making their way to the Santino home. Everyone in the car gasped when the enormous river rock estate came into view. She carefully navigated the Prius around the circular driveway. A valet pointed to an adjacent field for parking. Jamie hadn’t been kidding the day before when he’d said a lot of people would be there.

After parking, the four women trailed up to the entrance. Sarah tried to get a better whiff of whatever deliciousness was coming from an unseen grill. As she brushed past the jasmine and lavender plants spilling over the walkway, they released their summery scents.

Muffled sounds from a band traveled in the still air. Someone spoke over a microphone in the distance and the music started. Goose bumps covered Sarah’s arms, and her stomach pinged with excitement in spite of her reservations about coming.

The grand oak carved doors were open, and when she stepped into the massive slate tile foyer, the temperature dropped about ten degrees.

“Sure wouldn’t want to clean this place.” Lulu looked around the room. They paused for a moment on the twenty by twenty round entrance carpet.

“If you have a place this big, you have several housekeepers, and just consider it a living expense.” Danica stepped off the rug, and her boots echoed against the tile. “Come on, it’s this way. There’s probably something going on in the kitchen.”

Sarah couldn’t help snooping while they ambled through the great room. Her gaze meandered to gilt framed family portraits and sparkling silver arranged on console tables under a winding staircase.

They came to a carved oak table, flanked by two grand floral arrangements. The table couldn’t hold the plethora of gifts guests were dropping off, and a pile of sparkly wrapped goodies lay heaped on the floor.

“Whoa,” said Juliet.

“Hope they like it, they probably need it.” Lulu plunked an unwrapped bottle of white tequila on a small open spot on the table.

Progressing toward the loud hum of murmuring voices and laughter, they found the hub of activity.

At least a hundred partiers were jammed inside the kitchen and spilling into the adjoining family room. Hundreds more were visible through the expanse of open glass doors. Crisp air, delectable smells, and soft music from the outside drifted in.

Even in a crowd like this, Jamie Santino was impossible to miss, and Sarah saw him instantly. A band in her stomach banged cymbals and pounded the drums.

In a white button-down shirt, no tie, faded jeans, and well-worn cowboy boots, the Adonis approached her looking more relaxed than she’d ever seen him. He seemed younger, his expression even more vibrant than usual and that smile, the one she knew so well, was on high kilowatt voltage. It got brighter the closer he came to her.

“You made it,” he said.

Before Sarah had a chance to move or say anything, he scooped her into his arms for a squeeze, and the little band reached a crescendo the second her cheek hit his chest. Sarah closed her eyes for an instant, relishing the safe feeling of being in his arms. She noticed the others watching and pulled away.

“We’re all here,” she said.

“So you are.” Beaming, Jamie hugged each woman. “You’re in the right place for drinks. If you’d like something mixed, my baby brother, Luca, is in there.” He pointed his head to a study transformed into a bar off the kitchen. Jamie’s dangerously hot younger brother was laughing, his dark hair moving to the rhythm of the silver cocktail shaker he pulsated up and down.

“We also have several bars set up outside.” Jamie pointed through the doors. “Maybe you’d like to keep your jackets in case it gets chilly?” Jamie motioned to their purses. “Here, let me stash those away for you.”

Lulu death gripped hers. “No thank you.”

“Be right back and don’t move, Sarah, I don’t want to lose you.” His eyes burned into her. “Oh, and Lulu,” Jamie said. “My uncle Leo can’t wait to meet you, he’s probably near the dance floor. Danica, Michael’s with dad pouring in the wine tent on the patio.” Jamie dashed off holding the purses.

Juliet stayed close to Lulu, who sauntered out the French doors.

Danica inspected Sarah. “You’re okay, right? If I leave you?”

“I'm good,” Sarah said. “Don't worry.”

Danica loped off, probably to hunt for Michael.

Sarah glued herself in place waiting for Jamie. She couldn’t see much of the kitchen but knew she’d found the home’s heart. It felt so much cozier than the rest of the mansion.

Jamie came back after a few minutes. “Follow me,” he said taking her hand. “I want you to meet someone.” He led her, weaving through the crowd to the stove area.

“Mom,” he said. The woman had her back to them, making bruschetta. Smidges of garlic and bits of tomato covered the counter.

“Mom!” Jamie raised his voice over the crowd.

She turned around holding an oiled pastry brush and gave him an inquisitive smile.

“Mom, this is Sarah, the girl I told you about.”

“Oh, Sarah, yes.” Jaime’s mom erupted into a cheerful smile and gave Sarah a cheek to cheek hug. “I’m so glad you came.”

The butterflies in Sarah’s stomach clambered for attention. She tried not to look nervous and smiled. “Thank you for having me, Mrs. Santino. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“You don’t have to be formal with me, sweetheart, we’ve already hugged. See, I made it easy. It’s Madeline, but I want you to call me Maddie.” She half turned back to her bruschetta, putting a scoop of tomato, mozzarella and basil marinara on the tops of thick bread slices.

“Do you need any help with that?” Jamie offered.

“Well, if you’re heading to the patio, you could just drop this off on the buffet table.” She cozied closer to Sarah. “It’s too busy here for us to talk right now, just look at all these people. But I’m so happy Jamie took the time to introduce us, he’s said so much about you.”

“He has?” Sarah asked.

“Of course he has,” Madeline said. “Every day he comes home from the Vine Café, he tells us what he’s learned, what he did, how busy it is, and how very special the girl who owns it is.”

Sarah felt her ears getting hot and moved her hair to cover them. She didn’t realize she’d meet Jamie’s mother one-on-one today.

“See, Mom? I told you she was sweet.” Jamie grinned.

Maddie brought one hand up to gently touch Sarah’s cheek. “Jamie, you’re embarrassing this poor girl. Now go outside and take my platter with you.” Grabbing a dishtowel from the counter, she swatted him on the butt. “Go on, now.”

“So nice meeting you, Maddie,” she said, before following Jamie outside.

Above, strands of café lights weaved through the different patio areas enhancing the opal colored sky. Olive trees in planters and shrubs and flowers bordering the expanse were bathed in the soft candlelight from all of the lanterns placed around the serving and lounging areas.

Jamie placed the bruschetta platter on the buffet table, then he and Sarah meandered past a mixed drinks tent, a pizza oven and a gigantic smoker in the shape of a pig.

Sarah tried not to gape with her mouth open. She’d didn’t have a clue what she’d be in for when he’d invited her to the party last night.

The Santino’s outdoor entertaining area seemed more like a winery or large-scale event venue. She guessed it could easily host a thousand or more for weddings or concerts. She spotted a band in the distant field. The property seemed to go on and on, and yet somehow felt cozy and inviting.

Upholstered pillows casually strewn over thick layers of rugs lay scattered throughout the grassy areas. Soft cushions rested on benches that surrounded the fire pits, toasty outdoor heaters warmed seating areas, and large wicker baskets held fur throws for the chilly evening.

After giving her a quick tour, Jamie reached for her hand. “I haven’t offered you a drink yet,” he said. “Would you like to taste the new release?”

“Love to.”

He held her elbow while ushering her to a canopied wine tasting tent. “Now where is my dad? I thought he’d be here pouring,” Jamie shrugged. “I guess we’ll just have to make do with Gianni and Nick.”

Jamie and Sarah inched up to the candlelit wine bar.

“Guys, two glasses of the Santino best.” Jamie turned to Sarah. “We always refer to every new release as the best.” He winked.

“Look who’s managed to grace us with his presence,” one blockbuster hunk said to the almost perfect replica standing next to him. They were like double scoops of the best ice cream you ever tasted. Both were over six feet, a little shorter than Jamie, with darker hair and hazel brown eyes instead of green, but she could see a definite, gorgeous resemblance.