have a merry Christmas."
"You too, Ms. Croix."
I shook my head, "J.D." I stepped on my tiptoes in my boots and kissed his cheek. I grabbed my bags and left the hotel. The air was fresh and crisp and amazing. I had no rules and no expectations. I was free, truly free.
Saturday Morning – a few months later
The wedding day
I fumbled with my dress and hat. Italians always wore hats to weddings. I still smelled like the bar from the night before. We had been soaked in wine by the end of the night. Greeks were crazy like that. I could see there was still a bit of tannin on my knuckles.
I looked once more at myself and nodded. It was as good as I was going to get.
Brandi gave me a cockeyed look, "That really is the best you could do? It's a March wedding. You need something springish."
I rolled my eyes, "Bran, I'm here as the ex-girlfriend of the guy she almost married. I was stunned when France brought you the invite for me."
She shrugged, "He said Tex wanted you here. Now let's roll." Her New York accent was more noticeable. Probably because I’d been speaking Italian and Greek for months.
We walked out of the flat I had rented for the week.
"How are you for money?"
I shrugged, "Still about ten thousand and two months left; I'll probably be okay."
She nodded back at the apartment, "I stuck another forty in the bureau for you. It's in a sock."
I snorted, "Wow. So I take it things are going well?"
She nodded, "Beyond being five-months pregnant, yeah. You have to come and see the new house. It's amazing. Shawn loves working for Muriel. She is kicking ass in Boston."
I glanced at her, "How are Mom and Dad?"
She sighed, "Mom has snuck over to see me a few times. Dad isn’t speaking to me. He blames me for you and blah, blah, blah. Whatever. Let him think what he wants. He gets no part of my babies and my future."
I hugged her, "I'm sorry."
She shook her head, "Screw him. He's a mean old goat."
I laughed.
"So how's the traveling going? Any hotties on the roster?"
I nudged her, "No. You know I made that pact with Mike."
She smiled, "You know he's gonna be here tonight."
"Yeah. Temptation to the extreme."
"No one is going to judge you, if you give up two months early on this fucking pilgrimage of working at wineries around Europe. What kind of pilgrim are you anyway?"
I laughed, "I know but I want it. I've learned a ton. I know what I want."
She gave me a sideways glance, "What?"
"My own label at my own house. I want the vineyard more than ever."
"In Boston?"
I shrugged, "I don’t know."
"Muriel will do whatever you want. She thinks the sun rises and sets in your ass."
I shook my head, "Crazy old woman. I am not taking a dime from her unless she wants to be an investor and make money."
We walked to the car she had hired for the week. The drive to the villa was incredible. Grassy hills, beautiful old houses and structures, and the sea. It was amazing. I couldn’t believe it was my life. There were no pressing matters, or charities, or creepy men groping me. There was nothing but wine, vineyards, and friends who were like family, even after only a few days. The villa was an old castle with vines growing up it and faded stone fences. There were fragrant trees and flowers blooming, even on the Ides of March. The castle was a giant building with arched windows and a huge circular driveway.
France was waiting outside with Will when we pulled up. He looked sexy, fucking sexy. His white dress shirt and black dress pants were tailored to perfection. Will looked the same but in a grey suit. France's sleeves were rolled up and I could see new ink on his forearms. When the car parked in the courtyard, I jumped out. His face lit up when he saw me, "Jack!" he pointed at me, "You really here?"
I laughed and attacked him. He held me, taking in a deep inhale of me. "My Jack!" he mumbled into my nape. I sighed, melting into him.
"I missed you."
He nodded, "Me too, baby."
I pulled back and ran my fingers through his scruffy face, "Already?"
He grinned something sly and nasty, "You know you like it."
I slapped his shoulder, "Shut up."
I turned and smiled at Will, "There he is."
He held his arms open. I hugged him hard.
"How's