Page 115 of Just for Tonight

“I can’t pay it and you know it!”

“And that’s the problem. You’re acting like a spoiled child who wants somebody else to take responsibility for his actions, and I just can’t respect that. My father taught me not to respect that.”

He’s glowering at me again, but hey, I have no issues telling people what they don’t want to hear.

“It’s not a final sentence, though. You could get your shit together and tell me what you really want like Candace did, and I’ll try to help. Even better, you could show me a plan of how you intend to make your future happen, just like Madison did, and I’ll try to help you, just like I helped Madison. But if you’re going to have a tantrum and vandalize my car and scream that life isn’t fair, I’ve got better things to do than listen. I’ll just walk away from you like a toddler having a meltdown in the grocery store over some cookie he wants, and I won’t look back. You’re not my responsibility. I’m not obliged to help you. I’m trying to help everyone navigate this change, but there are limits and you’ve crossed mine.”

He opens his mouth to shout something – probably obscene – but I get in my car and start the engine with a roar. I have to drive slowly down the two-track to protect the suspension, which is why Ethan manages to land a clod of mud on my back windshield.

I head to the old house to wash it off, simmering all the way. This being kind crap really does take it out of me.

At least it was only mud.

Too bad for Ethan that I can live with best two out of three.

I tried.

Would Mackenzie think that was good enough? I know the answer as well as you do. I’m still thinking.

34

Mackenzie

The wedding is beautiful. It’s a perfect day with clear skies and sunshine, not too hot or cold, not windy at all. Daphne is radiant and Luke is clearly crazy about her. I’ve never seen a couple so obviously in love, and it makes me ache with yearning.

That’s new. I never used to yearn at weddings.

Maybe I didn’t know what was at stake.

Jake arrives late and stays at the back of the church, like he’s not entirely sure he’s welcome. I can feel his presence, but I ignore him completely.

It’s totally up to him now.

I get text messages every thirty minutes from my uncle, updating me on the harvest. We got that rain and the sunshine I wanted, and the grapes are plump. Uncle Franz is happy about the sugar ratios and the yield, but less happy about my decision to leave the red grapes even longer. We’re both worried about early frost.

The reception is at The Carpe Diem Café, of course. Merrie closes down for the evening and Sierra serves hors d’oeuvres while everyone has a drink. Daphne and Luke are circulating, accepting good wishes and welcoming everyone, and there’s a long table set down the middle of the restaurant for dinner. Sylvia is lighting candles everywhere and the fire is crackling on the hearth. It’s just beautiful.

I studiously avoid Jake’s gaze but don’t even taste my wine. As luck would have it, we end up almost back-to-back. I know it because I can smell his cologne, the one that makes my toes curl in my shoes. He’s with Mike, the two of them sticking to the perimeter of the celebration. In attendance, suited up, wishing the couple well, but the history between them and the groom making it tough to join the spirit of the event.

“Hey, Uncle Jake,” Sierra says. “I want to ask you something.” Everyone – including me – turns to look

My god, he looks delicious.

“Okay, shoot.” Jake smiles at Sierra and then at me, and everything in me turns to mush.

Never mind my demands. Never mind my expectations. One more night of him naked would suit me just fine.

His eyes glimmer as if he knows what I’m thinking – or as if he agrees. He holds my gaze and I get the message. You know where I am. I do. I spent all night thinking of him alone in that big bed at the townhouse. He sleeps in the nude. Why did I need to know that? What am I going to do with that visual for the rest of my life?

“You have that red car,” Sierra says.

“I do.” Jake turns a little, indicating said car parked at the curb.

“Can I drive it?”

He is surprised into a laugh. Mike nearly chokes on his drink. The brothers eye each other, their agreement clear.

“Can I?” Sierra asks again.