Free Just a Kiss: The Single Girls Wine Club (A Wine Country Romance #1) by Kate Kisset Page A

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    She didn’t know how to play this game. Some women could, but not her. She didn’t know how to pretend she didn’t care when she did.
    Staying out of the light in the back of the tent, she fought for composure. She couldn’t bear it if anyone found her holding back tears and trembling like a scorned teenager in the middle of what was supposed to be a fantastic night for her new business.
    She heard Danica, Juliet and Lulu approaching. Putting her best fake smile on, she moved to the front to greet them. “Doesn’t the plaza look spectacular?” Sarah said.
    Lulu nodded in agreement. “They outdo themselves every year.” She wore her shiny gray hair swept into an elegant bun, and her dark purple sweater set with a faux fur collar fit perfectly. Gigantic strands of white pearls hugged her neck with rows of multicolored gemstone bracelets covering her wrist. Rubbing her hands together, she said, “Who’s pouring, and it better be something stronger than wine.” She wrapped her arms around Sarah’s waist for a hug. “I need to take a bit of the cold off before I get started.”
    “I’ll keep you warm,” Sarah said embracing her tightly. “I’m not expecting you to help. I’m just glad you made it.” Sarah smiled at Danica and Juliet, her arms still around Lulu. “You two look incredible.”
    Juliet gave a sly smile and twirled. “You like? See, I can clean up with the best of ‘em.” She’d squeezed into the tightest of her “booty” cut jeans, and the tips of high heeled black boots peeked from underneath the hem. A pale pink, sequin scarf circled the collar of her black leather jacket, contrasted with her dark hair for a stunning effect.
    Danica wore her usual work-play outfit of black pants and white silk blouse but had added a faux fur black bolero jacket for warmth, fastened with a vintage rhinestone brooch. She reached into her purse, slicked on a quick coat of fire red lipstick and surveyed the surroundings. “Santino sighting yet?” she asked Sarah.
    Sarah used her head to point and whispered, “My two o’clock.”
    “Uh, ah…I see ‘em.” Danica squinted. “Who’s the broad with Jamie?”
    Sarah scanned Jamie’s area. “The end of my dreams.”
    “That’s Nikki Lean, Jamie’s co-star,” Juliet said. “I interviewed her last year.”
    Danica and Juliet turned back to Sarah and gave her the once-over, almost a diagnosis by glance, then turned to each other.
    “It’s just a business thing,” Juliet said. “That’s the only reason she’s here.” She quickly changed the subject. “They’re taking tickets now and letting people in, do you want me to stand behind the table or out in front?”
    “Let’s start by getting Lulu settled and don’t give me grief, Lulu.” Sarah called out to Manny, “Would you grab a chair?”
    Manny broke away from the Chocolate Cow booth and the girls five feet away next door. “Sure thing,” he said.
    Sarah reviewed her list and touched Lulu’s elbow. “Okay, you can sit, stand, mingle, dance or whatever. Just please let us know if you get tired, all right?”
    Lulu nodded at Sarah.
    “Danica, would you and Juliet please stand in front? I have some Vine Café gift cards for a free coffee on the tray. Each patron can grab a napkin, a cookie, and you can offer a card. Please don't forget, I spent a fortune on them.”
    “Aye, aye, sir,” Danica said.
    Juliet saluted. “Is there anything else?”
    Sarah furrowed her brow. “The cookies are made using local organic ingredients. The butter is from Clover Farms, thyme and lavender from Lavender Hill, and the extracts are from Sonoma Simple Syrup if anyone asks. I think that’s it.”
    Manny brought a chair for Lulu and placed it behind the table near Sarah. Juliet and Danica gave him a quick greeting before heading out with their trays.
    “You did good Sarah,” Manny said.
    “Thanks, Manny, so did you and thanks for all those extra hours last night,” Sarah said. “I owe you big