5

NIRVANA

“I look ridiculous.” I glanced at my reflection in the mirror.

I chose the square softline neck black midi dress since I didn’t have many to choose from. Kailin offered her closet to me, but I bothered her enough.

“Yeah. You look ridiculously hot.” So was she, in her velvet teal midi dress. Kailin had an athletic body. She preferred going to the gym and heavy lifting to my Pilates.

“So, you’re not dating anyone?”

“I told you. My family is traditional when it comes to marriage. So why bother dating if I can’t be with him forever.”

“You dated in college.” I recoated my lips and pressed them together.

“Because I was bored, and I needed dicks.”

That cracked me up. “Really? So these bunch of dicks are off limits?”

“Lower your voice. They can hear you,” she whispered but still smiling.

“Noted. They have superpowers.” I snorted and picked up my phone to check some messages. I got one from Grandpa but nothing from Axell. What was I expecting? We were over. I was not even sure if we could be friends.

Axell was a coward. He could have just told me before I went to the airport, like everyone else would. Instead, he chose the easy way out.

“What are you thinking?”

“My ex.”

“Don’t waste your breath. Axell doesn’t deserve you.” She offered her hand. “Let’s go before my cousin sends a cavalry to drag us downstairs.”

“Your cousin is weird,” I told her honestly, yet she didn’t look offended as I grabbed her hand.

“Yeah. He’s a good guy, but I don’t know why he acted like he forgot his pies in the oven.”

I laughed softly as we headed downstairs. “Maybe he really had pies waiting for him.”

“I told you. He’s not a commitment type of guy, and I never saw him bring women into the vineyards.”

“I bet he hooks up a lot.” I instantly heard chats and murmurs. I wasn’t expecting to see a lot of people. I thought it was just a family dinner with me as a guest.

“Well, he’s a guy with needs.”

I felt a sudden jolt in my chest. “He’s loaded and hot, and he can have any women he wants.”

“Exactly.”

The chatting stopped. The house went silent, except for my own heartbeat. My pulse quickened, and heat spread from my neck to my chest when I saw everyone’s eyes on me. Most were guys in shirts and pants. They all cleaned up well.

“Hi. You must be Nirvana.” The man in his early thirties with tan skin came. He looked like he was important around here, wearing a light blue suit without a tie.

I shook the hand he offered. “You can call me Vana.”

“Nice to meet you. I’m Kaleb with K.”

I smiled. “Nice to meet you, too. Well, Nirvana, like Kurt Cobain, Nirvana.”

“How do you find the Blackwell Vineyards so far?”

“I have yet to take her on a tour around the property. All we did was stay in my room all day, but we will do it tomorrow,” said Kailin.

“You won’t regret it. It’s pretty nice down here. It’s not the same weather in New York, but if you love vines and wines, you came to the right place. How long are you planning to stay? I hope for a few weeks.”

“She will come more often, Kaleb. Trust me.” My best friend patted my back.

“You guys love K, huh? Do you like Keeping Up with the Kardashians?”

Kaleb chuckled. “I prefer Desperate Housewives.”

“Is Knight here?” asked Kailin.

“He’s on his way.” Kaleb took two glasses of wine and gave one to me.

Kailin was already sipping hers. “Try our Merlot. You’re going to love it. I know you like fruits.”

I swirled the dark liquid in the wine glass and took in the rich, fruity flavor before I took a sip. The blackberries, cherries, and red plums flooded my tongue with the hint of vanilla and spice aroma of tobacco, a lingering finish of chocolatey taste.

“Amazing. Three years old?”

“Yes.”

“I just turned twenty-one, but I used to steal my grandpa’s leftover wine. I learned a few things. And I really like the dryness and spiciness of it.”

“You have a good taste, Vana.”

“This is just so good.” I raised the glass at an eye level so I could see the red liquid.

“Knight just arrived. Let’s go to the dining room,” Kailin informed excitedly.

I suddenly felt nervous, which I never felt before. I was the type of person who went with the flow, but right now, I wanted to go back to the room and just drink wine there until I passed out.

The dining room was surprisingly big and elegant, with a long, lengthy table, and the dark red velvety curtains were drawn to the sides. The crystal chandelier hanging low from the ceiling and interesting pieces of antique wood sculptures, particularly a wolf’s head, caught my attention.

Then, the room went silent. The man of the hour walked in, drawing all the attention to him. What was with this guy that caught all my attention and my senses alerted?