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I shrugged. “I guess they wanted to make it out before the snow got too bad.”
She frowned. “I guess so.”
“So, what about that glass of wine now?”
The bartender had wiped down the bar and was counting the register. There was a busboy sweeping at the opposite end of the restaurant.
“I-I still have to shut down.”
I grabbed her by the wrist. She looked at me.
“Come on, one glass with an old friend?” I cocked my eyebrow. “I’m going to be on a plane soon and who knows when I’ll be back in Newton Hills. If ever, really.”
I saw the grin spread on her face. “All right. How can I say no to Jeremy Hartwell?”
I lifted my empty glass in the air. “I don’t think you can.”
4
Evie
When did I ever do anything like this? Rarely.
A glass of wine after work with the hottest guy this town had ever seen? Never.
I told Cal I would close the front of the restaurant. He looked more relieved to finish work early and less worried about my well-being. Leo was already gone and the dishwasher had mopped the floor. Bella’s was empty except for Jeremy and me. The old bartender locked us inside.
I sat across from Jeremy. He poured a generous glass of wine, sloshing the sides of the glass. I felt guilty drinking it, but damn if it didn’t taste smooth and sweet.
The snow was still steady. It made it seem warmer inside with the red glow of the candle flickering in the center of our table. It could have also been the wine warming my body.
Jeremy grinned. “You know, I almost went straight to the airport. I’m glad I didn’t.”
“So, what happened today? You said it was the reading of your father’s will?”
His brow furrowed. “I would have done it on a conference call if I could have. The attorney said I had to be here in person.”
“I take it, it wasn’t good news.” I couldn’t fathom what happened in that reading.
Eric Hartwell was the richest man in town. Arguably, one of the wealthiest men in the state. He owned fleets of gas and oil transportation trucks. Not to mention, he started a gas station empire. The first one was right here in town, but the company spread like wildfire. Pretty soon he had stores all over the country.
Jeremy was his only son. It would make sense if he left the estate and a majority of the money to Mrs. Hartwell, but I couldn’t believe Jeremy was penniless. But something had happened.
“No, Evie. It wasn’t good news.” He sighed and chugged the wine.
“I’m sorry. Whatever it was.” There was silence between us. I finished off my glass faster than I intended.
I watched as Jeremy refilled it.
“Enough about me. Tell me something about you,” he prodded.
“Like what?”
“I don’t know. Like what are you doing working in your parents’ restaurant? Didn’t you go to that liberal arts school?” His smile was contagious and I didn’t take the question as an insult. He had easy charm. It just flowed through him as easily as inhaling and exhaling air.
“How do you remember that?”
“We didn’t run in the same circles, but it’s a small town. I think I could tell you where everyone went to college. Or didn’t,” he added.
