Page 97 of The Sweetness of Life

Today, I decided to wear a long light pink dress. The color compliments the wine, it has short sleeves in case we end up outside, and has a nice slit to show off my legs when I walk. It’s subtly sexy, and wearing it paired with a new pair of gorgeous sparkly heels, I may be nervous on the inside, but on the outside—no way.

The front door to the manor is wide open, and the closer we get, the louder the hum of voices gets, which is causing the small slip of calm I had a moment ago to falter. I listen closely to see if I hear his laugh over the others, but I don’t.

Zach’s called me twice since visiting. I didn’t answer either time, but I did text him back when he asked if I was coming. His only response was, “Good.” I worry a little that he might be upset—or by this point, indifferent—but I’m hoping he is at least going to hang on through this party. If I hadn’t come, I could see him being fed up and walking away, but I’m here, and I hope it isn’t too late.

“You came!” Michelle squeals after she spots us in the doorway and races our way. “Zach said you were coming, but I wasn’t sure.” She throws her arms around me and squeezes, hanging on a tad longer than normal. “I’m so sorry, Shelby,” she lets out in a rush, and I pull back. Her eyes are large and remorseful, the sincerity shining in them.

“We’ll talk about it later, okay?” I reassure her, giving her a small smile, which she mirrors.

“Yes, I hope so. Here, let me help you with these.” She takes the bags and turns to Meg. “Hi, I’m Michelle.”

Meg gives her a once-over, spots her boots, and smiles brightly. “Meg,” she responds, a friendship already forming.

“Shelby, you go mingle. We’ll take care of these.” She glances at the bags, but I see right through her suggestion. It’s her not-so-subtle way of telling me to go find Zach.

Wandering into the tasting room, I pass the first of several large foam board photographs of Zach and me placed on easels all around the room. Yes, there are a few of the winery, other employees, patrons, and the dinner party with Zach and his friends, but mostly they are of the two of us tasting the wines. My head tilts to the side when I spot a few I don’t remember being taken at all.

In some, we’re looking at each other cautiously, curiously, and in others, we’re laughing. Seeing these in sequence, the way our expressions and body language change over time, it’s so obvious how deeply we both fell. By the end, Zach’s blue eyes aren’t piercing and calculating; they’re warm, thoughtful, reverent, and mine are tender, affectionate, and in awe.

Zach is right: two weeks, two months, two years—it doesn’t matter. When you know, you know, and I know, too.

“Hi.”

My ears burn, and my heart skips as his deep voice settles within me. There’s a part of me that wonders if he’s angry about how I handled the past six weeks or just happy I’m here.

When I turn, my eyes drop to his feet. I need that extra second to compose myself, because seeing him today is different. I am different.

Sliding up the length of him, I find I’m met with crisp blue eyes filled with wariness mixed with adoration. I hate that he feels unsure because of me.

“Hi,” I say, giving him a small smile. I’m trying so hard to hide the fact that my heart is pounding like it wants to burst out of my chest.

Tension around his eyes and through his jaw slips away, and he returns my smile with one of his own, leaving me breathless.

“The pictures turned out great.” I point to the few displayed near the back bar, but Zach doesn’t look away. His eyes are for only me, his sparkling blue eyes.

“Yeah, they did. Teddy said the videos turned out nice as well. The magazine is really pleased with the footage for their website.”

“Good, that makes me really happy to hear.”

He smiles, lips closed, but still looks at me with complete adoration.

Hearing Michelle laugh, I glance toward the table filled with food and see her leaning into Kyle, whose arm is wrapped around her. They’re both completely caught up in each other and radiating happiness.

“Well, look at the two of them,” I say, and this time Zach manages to drag his eyes away from me.

“They’ve been inseparable since the dinner at the cottage.” There’s a fondness in his tone; he’s happy for them.

“That’s so great.” My thoughts echo his.

“Michelle told me they barely made it around the corner of the cottage before he had her pushed up against the wall and was kissing her.”

My jaw drops open, and I let out a small laugh. “She told you that?”

“Yeah, she was really happy.” He shrugs his shoulders. “I’m glad you decided to come. If you had missed all this because of me, I . . . um—” He shakes his head and flattens his lips into a thin line. Taking a deep breath, he runs one hand through his hair, disheveling the way he had it styled. I desperately want to reach up and smooth it down. He’s nervous, and that makes him sexier and even more endearing. “You look beautiful,” he says softly, running his hand through his hair again, trying to fix the mess he made.

“You don’t look so bad yourself.” And you smell delicious.

His smile widens, and my breathing picks up as I shift just a tiny bit closer to him.