Blurry by Michelle Hercules
Alistair
I’m such a fucking moron. Slamming my palm against the side of the car, I look ahead at the deserted road. It stretches on for miles without a sign of life nearby. I can’t be that far from the winery.
Glaring at the useless phone in my hand, I feel tempted to break it to pieces. Forgetting to charge the blasted thing last night was exactly what I needed on top of a flat tire. Now I can either walk back to town or wait for someone to drive by and hope to score a ride.
I should have checked if the rental car had a jack before I accepted it. What good is a spare tire if I can’t lift the damn car off the ground to change it? I rub my face and fight the urge to scream from the top of my lungs. This was supposed to be a stress-free trip, a reward to myself after all the bullshit I went through in the last year.
Coming to Tuscany had always been on my bucket list, but I never imagined I’d be here alone. Bitterness pools in my mouth. I thought I’d bring my two-faced, soon-to-be ex-wife here. I’ve always believed that when I married someone, that would be it. Now I’m twenty-six and getting a divorce.
In hindsight, I’m glad I never had the chance to bring Nadine here. At least this gorgeous place won’t be tainted with memories of her.
I arrived in Siena two days ago, and everything went well—I mean, as well as things can go when you travel to a country where you don’t speak the language. Custom differences aside, the trip met all my expectations until today. I should have known nothing good could happen after I was dumb enough to check my emails this morning and became aware of the shitstorm that’s waiting for me back home.
Not only did I receive an email from my lawyer with Nadine’s new demands, but my replacement fell through, and I have to teach my class next semester after all. The plan was to take a year off. I could say the hell with the job, but the school’s principal is an old friend of mine. I can’t fuck him over.
I’m not sure if I’m ready to go back to LA though. Traveling and doing different things is what kept my head above water, what prevented me from going apeshit on the asshole Nadine was cheating on me with—one of my friends.
My hands curl into fists by my sides. Now that the shock of discovery has worn off, I’m mostly angry at myself. How could I have been so blind?
“This is hopeless.”
I lock the car and veer toward town. Staying here and hoping for a miracle won’t cut it. I’m not looking forward to the long haul on foot though.
Two seconds after I make the decision, I hear the sound of a scooter approaching. The first thing I see come up the hill is a mop of blonde hair flying wildly in the wind. Then my gaze drops to the billowing skirt that reveals a pair of very nice legs. The driver slows down, stopping completely just a few steps away from me.
“Ciao. Problemi con la macchina?” the young woman asks.
I don’t speak Italian, but I can guess what she’s saying, so I nod. My tongue is stuck in my mouth. I lost the ability to speak because I’m too busy admiring the stranger. The only words that pop in my head to describe her are “achingly beautiful.”
Shit. I must be losing my mind. I shouldn’t be having such visceral reactions to attractive women.
She continues in Italian, and I soon become lost. I only know the basic words to get around. “Sorry, no parlo Italiano.”
“Ah, you’re American. Let me guess, the rental company forgot to add the jack?”
“Yes. Is that a normal occurrence here?”
“I don’t know. It was just a guess. You have the spare out, but you weren’t changing the tire. I doubt the reason is lack of knowledge or physical ability.”
I can’t help but raise an eyebrow at her as the corners of my lips twitch upward. God, when was the last time I felt such easy amusement?
I cross my arms in front of my chest and say, “How do you know I’m not an overly pampered ass without any hand skills?”
Her blue gaze makes a quick scan of my six-foot-three frame before she smirks. “I seriously doubt that’s the case. Where were you headed? Maybe I can give you a lift?”
My heart kicks up a notch, and I feel like a fucking teenager suffering from my first major crush. This is absolutely insane. Despite my body’s reaction, I frown at her. Hasn’t anyone taught her how unwise it is to offer rides to strangers, especially pretty girls like her?
But I’m not an idiot. I’ll take the lift. “Winery Della Vecchia,” I say.
Her delicate eyebrows arch as her plump, cherry-colored lips make a little O shape. I’m hit by a sudden urge to kiss the hell out of her, and in the same breath, I berate myself for having such inappropriate thoughts. I’m not a caveman.
“Oh, they aren’t open today,” she says.
“They don’t open on Saturdays?”
“They usually do, but today they’re closed.” She pauses and seems to be deep in thought before she peers at me from under her thick eyelashes. “Do you feel like crashing a wedding party?”
The sudden change of subject takes me by surprise. “What?”
“I know it sounds crazy, but if you were looking to taste some amazing wine, my cousin’s wedding is the place to be.”
“I wasn’t going to the winery for wine tasting alone.”
“Oh, you were hoping to talk with the Della Vecchias?”
“Yes.”
“Then you should definitely come with me. They’ll be there.”
Staring hard at the gorgeous woman in front of me, I can’t believe I’m actually contemplating her offer. I was hoping to chat with the Della Vecchias about a particular grape they grow, and a social event would be the perfect opportunity to introduce myself and pick their brains without being too obvious. Visiting their winery was a last-minute, impulsive idea, and it didn’t even occur to me to call beforehand.
She doesn’t cower from my intense gaze; instead, she stares right back at me with a glint of amusement in her eyes. Cocking her head to the side, she smiles. “You’re not afraid of me, are you? I promise I’m not a psycho.”
I chuckle, running a hand through my hair. “What if I’m the psycho? Did you consider that?”
Her bright smile turns into a smirk as she narrows her gaze. “Nah. You’re not a psycho. You look more like a cuddly bear.”
I do something I haven’t done in a long time—I throw my head back and laugh loudly, as a feeling of euphoria spreads through my chest.
“See, you’re already having fun, and we haven’t even gotten there yet.”
The laughter is gone, but the excitement is still coursing through my veins.
“I don’t think I’m wearing appropriate clothes to attend a wedding.” I stare down at my jeans and Iron Maiden T-shirt.
“I can find you clothes. Come on. Where’s your sense of adventure?”
The sassy smile that blossoms on her lips is what seals my fate.
“What the hell. Why not?”
