Page 57 of The Sweetness of Life

Let the chips fall where they may.

Wrapping my arm around her shoulders, I pull her close and tuck her in next to me. She lets out a contented sigh and lays her head on my shoulder. Her hair tickles my face, and somewhere in the depth of me, the word mine sneaks in. I squeeze her tighter.

Calm settles within as I come to this decision, and for the first time since she arrived, I let myself acknowledge how right she feels—how right we feel. The rational part of me says, What are you doing? But the part of me that feels connected to her? It says, Consequences be damned. And besides, the plan worked. She loves the winery, and she loves the wines. I can’t see her saying anything bad about us, and she’ll never know about it.

Pralines

“HEY.”

I turn to see Zach slowing from a run to a walk as he comes up the driveway toward the front of the cottage.

Pushing my sun hat back, I squint from the brightness of the midmorning light to see his face. There’s a small smile that almost borders on shy. Timidity is not a trait I thought I’d ever see in him, but there it is. Then again, after the way he behaved the other night, approaching me with caution is probably in his best interest.

“How’re you feeling today?” he asks, sucking in deep breaths, resting his hands on his hips.

The sun is shining off the dampness of his skin, causing it to glisten and my mouth to go dry. “Not too bad. Drank some juice, ate some toast, fixed me right up.” I smile back as I stand and brush the dirt off me.

Last night, something shifted. I don’t know what, but I know it did. The usual tension he carries around me slipped away when he wrapped his arm around me, making it feel as if a blanket of calmness descended upon us.

“Thanks for bringing me home. I’m sure I would have eventually found my way . . . but you know how it is.” Warmth spreads up my cheeks as I think about how he held my hand again on the ride back and the kiss he left me with at my front door. His lips are addictive, and I’m going to miss them when I’m gone.

“I do.” He crosses his arms over his chest, and the muscles from his biceps to his trapezius tighten and bulge. His clothes are clinging to him nicely, which makes me want to peel them off and run my hands over his skin.

Waving a finger up and down his body, my smile turns into a laugh. “I see you’re faring well this morning.”

He looks down at his shirt, runs a hand across his chest, the other through his damp hair, and then looks back at me with an amused expression and vivid, clear eyes.

“Years of practice, and strangely, I have a high tolerance for wine.” He grins. It’s nice to see him smiling and not scowling.

“I guess so.” The light brushing of a hundred wings stir deep inside me at the possibility of having a great day with him today.

“What are you doing?” He looks at my gloved hands, the bush clippings, and the basket sitting next to my feet.

“There are so many lavender bushes all around the property. I’m stealing some to take home with me in a few days, but don’t tell the owner.” I bat my eyelashes at him and he chuckles.

“What are you going to do with it?” He picks up the basket, pushes a few pieces around, and then rubs his fingers together before smelling them.

“Oh, I’m going to do all kinds of things: dry and hang some for decoration, make a satchel, tea bags, ice cream. I have big plans.”

He looks around the cottage at the bushes lined up one after another. “Well, there’s plenty here, so take as much as you want. The owner will never notice. From what I hear, he rarely comes down here anyway.” He winks at me.

“Thanks, I appreciate that.” My smile widens at his playfulness just as a breeze blows, lifting my hat. Grabbing a hold of it, I laugh.

“Let’s go. I have a surprise for you,” Zach says, taking the clippers from my hand and removing my gloves for me. He sets them by the front door then turns to make sure I’m following, which I am.

Taking my hand, he leads me around the cottage to the parked golf cart. We climb in and off we go. Squealing, I grab my hat and move it to my lap.

“Why do you always drive these things like they’re on fire?”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” His eyes cut my way. They’re mischievous, and one side of his mouth tips up. Stretching an arm across the back of the seat, his hand falls under my ponytail and on my neck. Warm fingers squeeze me gently, and I relish the feel of him touching me.

“So, where are we going?”

“You’ll see. I’m pretty sure you’ve seen most of the winery already, but this is something we keep just for us.”

“Oh, a secret place.” I grin.

“You could say that.” He smiles, and my heart squeezes at his handsome face.