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Hereached forward and laid his hand over hers. “Everythingwill work out in the end.Italways does.Ifthings haven’t worked out yet, it’s only because the story isn’t over.”
Hereyes softened. “Thankyou.Ireally appreciate that.”
“Maybeyou should forget about the outline,” he said with a small tilt of his head. “Forgetabout anythingSethhas ever had his hands on.What’sspeaking to you right now?What’spulling at your curiosity?Writesomething new.Somethingdifferent, with no expectations.”Adamknew he should probably take his own advice if he ever wanted to write something again.Butgiving advice was one thing; following through on it was another entirely.
“I’llthink about it,” she said with sincerity.
Theyate and drank in silence for a moment before she said, “Itmust’ve been nice, growing up in a place like this.”
Hesmiled. “Itwas, mostly.Everyoneknows everyone, so it’s hard to have secrets or privacy, which is less than ideal sometimes.ButIwouldn’t change the childhoodIhad for anything.Whatabout you?Areyou from the city?”
Shenodded. “Igrew up inBrooklyn.”
“Siblings?”
“Oneyounger brother.Helives inAustralia.”
“Areyou close with your parents?”
“Imean…not particularly?Thingswere fine growing up, butIwouldn’t say we’re particularly close as adults.Sometimesit feels as though they’ve done their job and they’re just sort of…done.”Ashadow flickered behind her eyes and his chest hurt.
“Itake it they weren’t supportive during your divorce?”
Shelet out a small laugh. “No.Theyweren’t.Andyou know, a part of me gets it.They’veearned their retirement.They’veearned the right to travel and be free.”
“Beingretired doesn’t mean you’re not still a parent, though,” he said gently.
“Yeah.”Shesent him a tight smile, and he got the distinct impression it was time for a subject change.
“What’sthe best book you’ve ever read?” he asked, steering the conversation in a different direction.
Herexpression transformed, a wide smile spreading across her face and making it hard for him to remember to breathe.Toblink.Goddamn, she was beautiful.Beautifulin a way that made him ache.
Helearned that her favorite books wereAgathaChristie’sHerculePoirotnovels, especiallyAndThenThereWereNone, but that when it came to comfort reads, her favorite genre was romances, the spicier the better.Helearned that her favorite color was green.Thatshe lovedCarrieClark,Beyonce, and oldies.Thather favorite movie wasWhenHarryMetSally, and that in sixth grade, she’d gotten a week of detention for starting a cafeteria-wide food fight on a dare.Hetucked every little piece of information away, like tiny little jewels that he only wanted to collect more of.
“So, what’s the verdict?” askedColeas he approached their table.Adamblinked slowly, reluctantly pulling his attention away fromHazel.Herealized, then, that the tasting room was now empty, the fire down to embers.
“I’lltake a case of each,” he said, mostly because he couldn’t remember which one was which.Andfrankly, he didn’t care.
Coleclapped his hands together. “Awesome.I’llhaveCameronbring them over tomorrow.”
“Thanks,Cole.”Hereached into his pocket for his wallet, butColewaved him off.
“Nah, man.Onthe house.”
Adamshot him a smile. “Thanks.Appreciateit.”
“Everythingwas amazing,” saidHazel, her cheeks a little rosy.Inthe low light, she looked like she was glowing.Litfrom within.
“Well, thank you.Maybewe’ll see you again sometime.”
“I’llhave to get a case to bring back to the city with me,” she said, and the words were like a bucket of ice water overAdam’soverheated system.
Forthe past couple of hours, he’d managed to put out of his mind thatHazelwas leaving.Notleaving.Returninghome.Whereher entire life was.
Andyet…knowing that didn’t make him want to back away the way he normally did.Whichwas weird, becauseAdamnormally questioned everything.Neverin his life had he been accused of underthinking something.Butthe pull he felt towardHazelwas different than anything he’d ever experienced.Hedidn’t have words to explain it.Whateverwas happening between him andHazelfelt too precious, too rare, too exciting to toss aside.Already, visions of a long distance relationship or maybe even her falling in love with the town and staying were dancing through his mind.
Whatthe actual hell?Hedidn’t know where any of it was coming from, but he also didn’t want to question it.Itfelt right.Asthough things were exactly the way they were supposed to be.
