Page 34 of Finding Yesterday
Nate turns to Uncle Ozzie, who’s handing him a scotch on the rocks. “You’re the best, Uncle Oz.” Nate points at me. “Don’t mess with her.”
“You ain’t got much between the ears if you haven’t figured that one out by now,” Uncle Oz says to Nate before winking at me.
“Thanks.” I lift my chin and smile. I love that Uncle Oz is taking my side, especially since he and Nate are really close. They both work at the vineyard, and they used to play guitar together all the time until Uncle Ozzie’s hand tremors started.
“Love you too, Uncle.” Nate takes a swig of his drink before grabbing his guitar and heading to the stage. He and his band get set up as more and more of Blue Vine packs into the small place. Across the crowd, I’m surprised to see who walks through the door.
Jack.
His eyes scan the bar, and when he sees me, a bright smile spreads across his face.
I can’t pull my eyes away from him, and here it is. For the first time in my life, I’m meeting gazes from across a crowded room. Jack is so beautiful tonight, and I can’t wait for him to make his way over to me.
There’s that feeling I wanted so much with Hudson, and it’s happening with Jack. Which is so unfortunate since he’s my boss who lives across the country. And, I remind myself, I shouldn’t be even thinking about men right now after running out of my own wedding. Except I haven’t even missed Hudson. I just want him to be doing okay. Mostly, I’m just relieved.
When Jack’s standing in front of me and says, “Hi,” in that baritone voice of his, something buzzes through me.
“Hey, boss.” I run my finger over my glass of beer. “What are you doing out on the town?”
“I heard this was the place to be.”
“You heard right. It’s kinda theonlyplace.” I wave over Uncle Ozzie and introduce Jack before saying, “Can we get another dark beer?”
“Sure, kid.” Uncle Oz heads over to the tap.
Jack lets out an appreciative sigh. “Thanks, you read my mind.” He slides onto a barstool next to me. “So, this is what this place looks like on the inside,” he says, looking around. “There’s really a jukebox. A collection of bar coasters. Antlers on the wall.”
“You were born in this town.” I shoot him a questioning look.
“But I left when I was seven, so I didn’t exactly go to bars.”
“Good point.”
He raises a brow, his eyes sparkling. “In San Francisco, you can go to a different bar every night of the week and never end up in the same place.”
“Yeah, Atlanta is pretty much like that too.” I swig my beer, leaning closer to Jack. “But here’s the thing—do you go to different bars every night of the week?”
He hesitates before replying, “Nah. I don’t go out that much, but when I do, it’s usually to a dive bar in Haight-Ashbury called Nicki’s.”
“A dive bar. Kinda like this one?”
He nods, a smile playing on the corner of his lips. “Yeah, pretty much.”
I meet his gaze and realize we’ve inched closer to each other.
Charley comes in the front door, and I wave at her. “There’s Charley. She’s my good friend—Emma’s too.”
Once she’s made her way over, she says, “Hey you,” as she sets her fiddle case down and gives me a hug.
“What are you doing in town?” I return the hug. She’s wearing overalls, which means she was probably here in Blue Vine doing repairs. It should look ridiculous, but somehow, with her thin frame and olive skin, she pulls it off.
She tugs at one of her overall straps. “I’m here helping Nana with a few things at the Inn.” Charley is a handy-woman and home restoration expert. She and her husband both worked in real estate, but since he passed a few months ago, she’s been helping out at Emma’s wine store until she gets back on her feet.
After I introduce Charley to Jack, he says, “I’m the one Claire’s having a torrid affair with.”
Her eyes bulge as she looks back and forth at us. “Come again?”
“Oh, she doesn’t live in Blue Vine, Jack.” I shake my head. “She’s from Atlanta.”
