Page 8 of My Heart Belongs to You

“I was having a weird dream.”

My eyebrows met. “Tell me more.”

“Nothing interesting. Just me exploring the Bordeaux region, tasting wines, visiting vineyards, touching their grapes,” she said with a chuckle.

“What’s the weird part?”

She paused. “I was there with you.”

“Again, what’s the weird part?”

“Nothing, never mind. I had one too many glasses of wine tonight.”

“What were you drinking?” I went with her subject change, although I was curious to hear more about her dream.

“I had a vintage Chateau Lanessan. It's Bordeaux.”

“Bordeaux, that's old world, right?”

“That’s correct.” The excitement in her voice made me grin as she listed details I wouldn’t remember. I’d picked up a few things while helping her study to become a master sommelier. I wasn’t an expert like her, but I was more knowledgeable than when we met.

While she told me about tonight’s study session, I finished my walk through. After turning off all the lights, I headed to the back entrance designated for employees and deliveries, punched in the security code, then left the building. I dropped my keys into my messenger bag before starting my short walk home.

“Everything okay, though?” Robyn was more alert now; her soft voice was music to my ears.

“No.”

The petrichor air welcomed me as I stepped onto the dewy pavement. It had rained an hour ago. I was used to random showers this time of year. Most people didn’t like rain, but to me it was calming, and cleansing.

I nodded at the group of men I passed who were probably on their way to Over Easy or 8Ball since those were the only places open right now. If I weren’t ready to shower and sleep, I would’ve gone to the diner and grabbed some food. It had been a minute since I visited the diner’s owner, Mirian. Her wisdom and humor always put me in a better headspace.

“What’s wrong?” Robyn asked.

“I haven’t seen you in two weeks,” I told her.

She giggled. “We’ll see each other tomorrow, right?”

“Yeah. Only because you want me to be your guinea pig,” I teased just so I could hear her laugh again.

“You offered to taste my new recipes.”

“I knew it was the only way I'd be able to see you sooner rather than later.”

Robyn kissed her teeth. “Anyway. What are you doing?”

“Walking home.”

“You just refuse to drive, huh?”

“It’s a ten-minute walk at best. Plus, the Ville is quiet right now.”

How I liked it.

Springtime in Roseville was unmatched. The weather was perfect, even with random rain showers. When it was quiet like this, it gave me time to think, reflect, and unwind. Walking home allowed me to decompress and appreciate the town that had given me so much.

Robyn hummed, not sounding too impressed with my reasoning.

“You’re not in the big city anymore, G,” I reminded her. Every chance I had, I poked fun at her for leaving her hometown, San Francisco, California to move to Roseville, Maryland. She was still adjusting to the slower paced lifestyle.