Bianca
Bianca’s phone buzzed on the patio table.
She ignored it at first—assuming it was Amelia, checking in. She just continued to watch as Mila and Zoe played Marco Polo in the pool. Remi sat on the edge in her one-piece black-and-white swimsuit, sunglasses on her face and a book in her hand. A lemon drop martini rested next to her on the concrete.
A second buzz. Then a third.
Bianca adjusted her bikini top before picking up the phone. She glanced at the screen.
Unknown Number:Still pretending you’re someone you’re not?
Her breath caught in her throat. She hadn’t heard from him in a few days—her annoying stalker. She thought maybe he’d moved on or vanished, like the mistake he’d always been. But here he was again. A ghost she hadn’t yet figured out how to bury.
Unknown Number:You’re not as untouchable in Napa as you think.
Bianca’s fingers trembled as she locked the screen andplaced the phone face down. She took a sip of the lemon drop martini that she and Remi had spent the afternoon whipping up in the kitchen—with fresh lemons, vodka, and simple syrup. She looked over her shoulder, as if someone might be watching from the window inside the house.
When she looked across the pool, Remi was observing her with skeptical eyes, her eyebrows furrowed. She gave her a light smile, hoping to ease her concern. Remi didn’t return the smile. Instead, she closed her book slowly and slid her sunglasses down her nose just enough to see Bianca’s face clearly.
“You good?” she called out.
Bianca nodded too quickly. “Just Amelia checking in again,” she lied, her voice breezy. “That girl acts like I’m going to vanish if she doesn’t text me every two hours.”
Remi didn’t laugh. She watched her friend for a moment longer, then turned her attention back to Zoe and Mila, who had collapsed in laughter at the far end of the pool. Still, Bianca could feel the weight of Remi’s gaze, even after she looked away.
She glanced down at her phone again. No new messages. Not yet. But she knew more would come. She shuddered at the thought. Her heart raced.
Bianca stood up, wrapped the towel around her hips, and reached for her sunglasses. “I’m gonna lie down for a bit,” she said in Remi’s direction, voice flat. “Too much sun.”
Remi nodded slowly, still studying her. “You sure?”
“Yeah.” She mustered a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Just tired.”
She walked through the patio doors, heart pounding against her ribs. The cool air inside the house was a stark contrast to the heat rising in her chest. She looked at her phone again.
Unknown Number:That little vineyard won’t protect you. I know everything. And I bet your daughter would love to know too.
Bianca’s hand clenched around her phone. Her jaw tightened. This wasn’t a stalker who couldn’t let go. No … this was much more. This was someone who knew too much.
Chapter Ten
Remi
The sound of laughter echoed across the patio as the side gate creaked open. Remi glanced up from her book just in time to see Bas step inside their yard, followed by Sage. The late-afternoon sun gleamed off the water, casting a shimmering light onto their faces.
Bas was barefoot, wearing swim trunks and a sleeveless shirt, a towel tossed over one shoulder. He flashed that easy grin, charming and warm. He was just as comfortable at their pool as Zoe was. Their pool had beenhisthrough several summers. He had even become so comfortable with their family that he barely knocked before entering their home. And they were fine with it. Bas had become family. But Sage … not so much. Still, she trailed behind him in a bright yellow bikini, her deep red tresses pulled up into a bun, sunglasses perched on her nose.
“I thought I heard some Marco Polo going on over here,” Bas called, already heading toward the pool steps.
Mila popped up from the water. “Bas!” She squealed, as if she hadn’t just met him and behaved as if she’d known him forever. Then she splashed toward the edge.
Sage gave a polite wave. “Hey everybody.”
“Hello, Bas. Hello, Sage.” Remi gave a light smile, returned Sage’s wave, but her eyes lingered just a second too long, flicking from Sage to Zoe, who had remained still in the pool and said nothing. Her daughter’s expression was unreadable, casual on the surface, but Remi saw the way her jaw flexed, the way she avoided looking directly at Bas or Sage.
“Room for one more?” Bas asked, already peeling off his shirt.
Zoe shrugged, but Mila piped up with a cheerful, “Of course. Come on in, the water’s great.”