Page 16 of You Had Me at Merlot

Leighton woke the next morning with a euphoria she rather enjoyed. She stretched, drank her coffee in her favorite pair of black short-shorts and a tank as she watched the sun rise over the rooftops of a sleepy New York City. She took her time getting ready with the daily news playing on her TV in the background while she ruminated on her time at the Driskill the night before. She knew unequivocally that it was the source of her positivity. How unexpected it had been to run into Jamie of all of the people at the private gathering. Leighton had aboutfallen out of her heels when she realized that the gorgeous brunette in the blue dress was actually the gorgeous brunette from the coffee bar. She hadn’t been cheating on one with the other! Not that it took her that long to make the connection. Jamie was Jamie. Unique in the way she carried herself, spoke, and smiled. In fact, Leighton had trouble taking her eyes off her the whole damn time. Those blue eyes that matched her dress. Her dark hair swept back. Dimples. Leighton tapped her lips as she toyed with the idea of swinging by Bordeauxnuts this morning for a quick coffee stop. Out of her way? Sure. But her whole morning seemed lighter at just the thought. She got a hit of excitement imagining her exchange with Jamie, who—she had to admit—had captured her attention more than anyone had in years.

Of course, at some point, they’d have to discuss Leighton’s job and the reason she’d been pulled into the shop in the first place. She dreaded that part, secretly hoping Jamie had always wanted to move and that this was just a very lucrative vehicle to help her take the leap. It was a long shot, but it gave her something to hang on to.

She hopped the train downtown, soaked up the sunshine on her walk, ignored three calls from Bryce, and found herself happily on Bordeauxnuts’ doorstep. Maybe she should just get it out of the way. Slip in the Carrington’s name and go from there. She nodded once with confidence and pushed open the glass door to the warm atmosphere that enveloped her like a hug. The heavenly smell of espresso and doughnuts coupled with the chatter of people happy to be there put a smile on her face instantly. She’d not been in the place this early in the days before and was surprised that the line stretched all the way to the entrance.

She scanned the café section as she waited, recognizing many of the same faces from her other visits. Curly haired guy in the corner. Knitting lady. The couple always on their phones. Probably more that she missed. Leighton was starting to understand that this was a favorite spot for lots of people. She ignored the pang of regret that nestled in her chest. She’d be filing her report with Bryce that week about her assessment. The architects were already hard at work and this mammoth of a project was about to make itself known when Global Newswire sent out a press release which would confirm any and all rumors that were likely circulating.

“Leighton. Thank God you’re here,” Jamie said with a wink once she reached the front of the line. Now that they were friends, Jamieseemed more confident. Playful, even. Leighton liked it a lot. What she also liked? Flirting with Jamie, watching her cheeks color pink before she perhaps even flirted back.

Leighton laughed. “I had no idea I was in demand. I’d have come sooner. I wish I had now.”

“This is the perfect way to brighten my morning.” They held eye contact for an extra beat that made Leighton want to scrunch her shoulders against the shiver and slash of heat it brought on. This woman did things to her, and she wanted to do even more.

“How’s the blueberry latte?”

Jamie didn’t hesitate. “My favorite drink on the menu.”

“Then I can’t resist.”

“Perfect.” Jamie reached behind her for a bag of mini-doughnuts and handed them to Leighton. “Latte on the way. And doughnuts just because. On me.”

Their hands touched briefly and probably for a beat too long on the handoff. “No one’s ever gifted me warm doughnuts before.”

“That’s the saddest thing I’ve ever heard. It’s lucky you met me.” The way Jamie said that last part made Leighton’s thighs tingle and other parts of her ache ever so slightly.

“More than lucky. I completely agree,” Leighton said, moving down the counter to beverage pickup. The chiseled barista, who wore a name tag that said Leo, offered her a playful wink as he tossed cardboard cups around like a highly skilled magician. Behind him, a cheerful young woman dusted sugar and cinnamon onto two different bags of doughnuts. They were a well-oiled machine, beautiful to look at, and choreographed like a ballet. She wished she could stick around and enjoy the company, by she had a ten a.m. Another project meeting, and Bryce would need updates.

“What do you have going on today in your world?” Jamie called over.

“I have a meeting back at the office,” she called back.

“Are you nearby?” Jamie turned to the next customer. “What can we make for you today?” The guy looking back at Jamie wore what had to be a three thousand dollar suit.

“Closer to midtown,” Leighton told her, stepping back over, “but I try to get down here as much as I can.” That seemed to pique Jamie’s interest. She gestured to the young woman to take over on register andcame around the counter to speak with Leighton, who honestly began to panic. That was new. Not much was able to flap her, but explaining who she was to Jamie did.

Jamie opened her mouth with another question and before she could get it out, Leighton rushed to beat her there, elbowing her way to prime focus. “Are you free tonight? Would you want to grab a drink with me later?” Yes, she’d panic-asked Jamie out, but it was also something she very much wanted. It would be the perfect opportunity for them to get to know each other better and would give Leighton a more personal platform to explain everything before they went farther. Because she did want to take things to the next step, if Jamie did.

The question had shut Jamie up. Her eyes went wide, which only made her cuter. “As in adrink-drink?”

She stepped closer to be sure the conversation was just between them. “I’m thinking two women on a date. What would you think of that?” She waited. Nervous. Excited. This felt like an important moment.

A small smile appeared on Jamie’s lips, a seeming expression of quiet happiness. It made Leighton’s morning. Warmth wound its way around her midsection and twisted. “I’d love to get a drink with you. I just wasn’t a hundred percent positive that you—”

“Have a crush on you?” She said it purposefully without looking away. Direct eye contact was best. When Leighton focused on something important, she didn’t let shyness intrude. Jamie was someone she wanted to get to know, and she had no time for guessing games.

“I was going to saydated women.”

“I’m attracted to interesting people. Women included.” Leo silently slid her latte across the counter with his head down.

“In that case, yes. I’d love to.” Leo popped his head up with wide eyes, then dropped it right back down again.

Leighton checked the time. “Better run. Can we meet at Puzzles? It’s a very quiet and cute wine bar in the Village. Have you heard of it?”

Jamie nodded. “I love Puzzles. Um, how about six?”

“See you there.” Leighton wiggled four fingers over her shoulder as she walked through the door. As she hit the sidewalk, she thought she heard applause erupt from inside the bar. Couldn’t be. Likely just in her head.

With a happy spring in one step, and a slightly worried feelingcoating the next, Leighton went about her day, counting the moments until she could spend time with the woman she couldn’t seem to stop thinking about. Jamie was warm, smart, down-to-earth, and beautiful. Not only that, but there were the alternating feelings of calm and excitement that came over Leighton every time they were in proximity of each other. But before she got ahead of herself, she’d have to find a way to deal with the potential catastrophe of it all, right? Because their career objectives were in opposition. But before dropping the bomb, she wanted Jamie to get to know her first, tolikeher. Maybe that would give them an honest chance without her job instantly painting her as a villain. A true opportunity for Jamie to see Leighton for who she was and vice versa. The real world and all of its dicey confrontational waters could hold the hell on for just one night. That’s all it would be.

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