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My day passes in a blur of emails, meetings, and busy tasks. Jake leaves first. On days where Violet has plans, he goes to his grandmother’s house to visit. I know this not just because I’m his secretary and friend, but because it’s wine night with the small group of girls that I can now happily call friends.
On Wednesdays, we’ve gotten in the habit of getting together at someone’s home and end of workdays with a glass of wine and girl-time. It started off with just me and Violet, but she thought I needed to know more people in town so now there’s four of us. Bethany and Marie round out the other half of our intimate group.
Tonight, we’re drinking at Marie’s cabin. I grab my coat and make sure I have everything before leaving the office. I’ve been to her house before, it’s not too long of a walk. I tend to opt for walking whenever I can, even if there’s snow on the ground.
As I lock up the office, I briefly consider running home to change into something more comfortable. I already swapped my heels for sneakers.
Although, what if Victor is there? No, I’m sure he has his own place. I wonder if it’s a cabin like hers. Plus, part of the highlight of wine night is that it’s girls only. Marie wouldn’t let him intervene even if he did live there.
Sometimes you just need a ladies-only night.
Once there Marie greets me with a warm hug. Her home smells of cinnamon and oranges. She lives in a log type cabin, very rustic on the outside but more modern on the inside. I know it’s a family home, which is something I’ve been told about many people’s homes here in town.
It’s still sort of odd to me how much history and connection people living here have with Kastle Harbor and each other.
Marie ushers me inside, takes my coat, and leads me into her living room. Violet and Bethany are already there, probably drove over together straight from the bakery. Bethany pours me a glass of rosé and pats the empty couch cushion next to her. I take a seat and long sip of the wine. Letting my body and mind relax, easing myself into the couch.
“How’s it like with Victor back in town?” Violet asks Marie as she gets up to grab something from the kitchen.
Marie’s home has a big open layout for her kitchen and living room space. It’s probably my favorite home we meet at because of the mix of spacious interior and cozy atmosphere.
“Oh, you know, he’s like a tornado in the roastery. Trying to get everything organized and completed before I think it even needs to be worried about. We’re pretty busy now so I’m really happy he could come back earlier than usual.”
Before Victor came to town, at our last wine night, Marie explained how they run the roastery. It sounds like a pretty sweet gig— spending these winters in Brazil. Marie adds on, “but you know, he is still my brother.”
Bethany and Violet laugh. I feel slightly like an outsider in these small moments. The three women have a deeper connection.
“Is he seeing anyone?” Violet asks.
My interest is peaked. I sip my wine trying to not look too engaged in her reply.
“No, as usual he claims he’s too busy,” Marie replies, “but I keep telling him he can’t start a family if he won’t even try to date someone.” They all laugh and then as a wicked grin spreads across Marie’s face, she looks directly at me. “You guys should go out on a date. You’d be perfect for each other.”
I almost choke on my wine.
Before I can say no, Violet chimes in, “Yeah, you guys seemed to really hit it off at the bakery. I swear there were literal sparks flying.” She wiggled her eyebrows.
“No, not sparks,” I say, the words dripping in lies.
There was something between us, but I assumed it was just my libido toying with my mind. Maybe just mutual chemistry, nothing crazy.
“Oh, sparks you say?” Marie quips, ignoring me shaking my head back and forth. “Well what harm could one date be?”
“I’ve told you guys, I’m just not ready for dating yet.”
“But you took the ring off and it’s been months.” Bethany pats my knee as she continues, “besides, one date doesn’t mean you’re tied to him for life.”
“I’m just hesitant to jump right into dating. I don’t want to start something serious so soon after my divorce was finalized. It’s been like three months.” I try to wiggle my way out of this conversation. Hoping my recent divorce would put an end to this.
“You could get coffee,” Violet laughs, “or a nice dinner and go out dancing.”
“No dancing.” I sternly say.I don’t need a broken ankle.
“Okay but you’d do dinner. Good to know.” Marie tries to hide a smirk as she sips on her wine. I walked right into that one.
“You know what, why not? Sure. Set it up. I agree to one nice dinner out. No coffee. No dancing. And somewhere within walking distance of my home.” I lay it out there, hoping these little rules would prove too much for my friends.
“Done.” They all chime in before Bethany adds, “Can you even imagine the lumberjack dancing?”
