“Oh, I’m not the bride,” I said, pulling Lucy closer.
“That would be me. My name is Lucinda Myles. You can call me Lucy,” she said excitedly. “My fiancé, Drayven, will meet us in a bit along with my parents.” I felt her slouch against my arm. She was practically melting next to me.
His smile widened.
“Well, Lucy. I’m Cohen. Pleasure to meet you.” He extended his hand, and Lucy gave him hers. He removed his Stetson and lowered his head, bringing her hand to his lips in a quick but sweet gesture.
“Pleasure’s all mine,” Lucy said, giggling and clasping her freshly-smooched hand up to her heart.
“And you must be…” he looked at me, dimples pulsing in anticipation.
“Her maid of honor, Quinn,” I said giving him my hand to shake, but he did the same as with Lucy and kissed it. He looked up at me as he did, those blue eyes dancing.
“My very single maid of honor,” Lucy added.
“Is that so?” Cohen said, chuckling and raising an eyebrow. His voice had a sexy drawl. He definitely wasn’t from around here.
I shot daggers at Lucy.
“Are we ready to start this tour?” Weston said, strolling up with Sarah dangling from his arm.
Cohen looked at them and back at Lucy.
“My brother Weston and his guest, Miss Sarah Hensley,” she introduced them.
“Myfather’sguest,” Weston corrected her.
Cohen didn’t take Sarah’s hand. He only nodded at both of them and introduced himself.
“Let’s get started, then.” Cohen held out his arm in the direction we were walking.
Lucy looped her arm in mine and whispered, “Looks like mine might not be the only wedding taking place soon,” she joked, her head jerking towards Cohen.
I rolled my eyes.
“This vineyard has been in the Montague family since the early settlers made a home here in the early part of the 1800s,” Cohen said as we strolled down the cobblestone.
The grounds were beautiful under the day’s bright sun—acres of rolling green hills covered in twisting trees and dotted with patches of wildflowers were towards the right.
And to the left were lines of grapevines that went for miles.
“Montague?” questioned Sarah. “As in the Montagues of Romeo and Juliet?”
“Glad you picked up on that. Though not related, obviously, the connection is definitely celebrated. You’ll see a tribute to Romeo and Juliet near the wedding venue. A beautiful balcony overlooking the vineyard where our bride and groom can pose for pictures.”
“How romantic,” said Sarah, squeezing Weston’s arm. Weston huffed and looked over at me.
I turned my attention back to Cohen.
“So, how long have you been working here, Cohen?”
He twisted to face me with a surprised look on his face.
“Me? Well, ma’am, I’ve been here since I was about 17. I grew up in Montana, but California always had my heart. Are you from here?
“I grew up in Cedar Grove, not too far from here.”
He beamed.