“Sorry. I don’t know what got into me. I’m usually not this forward.” He shook his head. “Let’s get inside before I embarrass myself even more.”
“You didn’t. If you didn’t notice, I was just as eager, which surprised me a bit. Come on.” I took Keaton’s hand and we walked around to the front of the shop.
Surprise crossed Tegan’s face when we walked in hand-in-hand.
“Isn’t this a wonderful surprise? When you said you had a date tonight, I had no idea it would be my dear friend, Keaton.” Tegan gave Keaton a heartfelt hug.
“You know Finn?” He leaned down and gave Tegan a kiss on the cheek.
“I do. We met this morning.” Tegan wiggled between us and put her arms through ours. “Let me introduce you to the rest of the group and then get you a fabulous glass of wine.”
“Why don’t I get Finn a glass of wine while you do the introductions?” Keaton suggested.
“Perfect.” Tegan let him go and tugged me over to a large group of men and women. “This is Finn, she’s new in town, and we’re hoping she’ll stay, so make her feel welcome.”
“Welcome.” The group cheered with their glasses.
Keaton was right, the food was scrumptious and plentiful. I made several friends, a couple of them liked to jog, and had dogs that play well with others.
When we arrived back at the house, Keaton didn’t kiss me goodnight. We joked we might not be able to stop at a kiss. We made plans to go out to dinner and a movie Friday night. I couldn’t be happier.
CHAPTER FIVE
October turned into November and Keaton and I spent every evening together and all day on the weekends. We were still keeping things light and flirty, my heart softened and my feelings became stronger each moment we spent together.
I loved his dedication to the pets he treated and his generous nature with the people of Vine Grove. Tegan called to say our Tuesday night gossip session would be different that night. I had no idea what that meant, but I knew it would be fun. I’d met three great gals at the Que Syrah Syrah Wine Shop wine tasting party. Dakota was a nurse at the Vine Grove Hospital, Maisey ran a wedding planning blog for brides on a budget, and Kady and her son relocated to Vine Grove to start over and get a fresh start. They were all single and new to the town like me.
Technically, I wasn’t single any longer.
We all arrived at the same time to the wine shop parking lot, hugged and walked in together. Snow hadn’t stopped falling since I arrived in town in October, but it wasn’t a nuisance yet.
“Do you know what Tegan has up her sleeve?” Dakota joked as we entered the wine shop.
“She was very secretive and I’m not fond of surprises,” Maisey stated firmly.
“Come on, girls. Keep an open mind,” Kady encouraged.
“I’m just happy to shut off my cell phone for an hour or two. I’ve been working with a new author who thinks my edits will change the whole concept of her story.” I shook my head. “You have to be careful to help but not to injure a new author’s ego.”
We walked into the shop and were enveloped in holiday scents: cranberry, apple, cinnamon and gingerbread. Chloe and Rebecca were already seated. I placed my platter of spinach and goat cheese tartlets on one of the many antiques in the shop, took off my coat, and finally relaxed.
Tegan immediately handed each of us a glass of champagne. “I’m so excited you’re here.”
“We are too.” We all cheered and toasted with our glasses.
For over an hour, we drank our champagne, gossiped, and snacked on some fabulous treats. Then Chloe, Rebecca and Tegan all gathered in a corner of the shop and giggled.
“Hey. What are you girls doing over there?” I squinted to see what they were up to. Tegan walked over with a wicker basket lined in red satin. “What do you have there?”
“It’s ‘The Love List,’” Tegan announced.
“What’s that?” Maisey sounded skeptical.
“The names of eligible guys are on those slips of paper. Nice guys who have been thoroughly checked out and approved by us.” Tegan pointed to Chloe, Rebecca, and then herself.
“It is your duty to ask out the guy on the paper you choose,” Tegan explained.
“I’m seeing someone and I don’t want to date anyone else.” I tucked my hands under my rear-end.
“If we have to, you have to. Besides, you’re not married to Keaton,” Dakota insisted.
“Fine, but I’m not agreeing to anything.” Tegan shook the basket and a larger piece of paper fell closest to me. Fate being fate, that’s the one I chose.
“Open, open, and read the name,” they all coaxed.
To make it more fun, I slowly unwrapped the name and then read it. “Keaton!” Everyone clapped and then it dawned on me, why was his name in the basket? “What if one of you had chosen Keaton. Would you have asked him out?”
“No, silly. It was rigged. All the slips of paper have Keaton’s name on them.” Chloe laughed and then took out the remaining stationery and replaced them with three more names.