We sat there for a few more minutes while I finished my wine. The quiet became easy and not forced.
I didn’t know if it was the wine or Ben, but I finally felt more contented with myself. Some of the racing of my mind and spirit settled and my lungs took easier breaths and my heart beat easier beats.
I had dreaded Ben coming over here, but now that the night was over, I was glad that he had.
“Thanks for the wine, Ben. I enjoyed our little chat.”
“Hey, me too.”
We both stood up and I walked him to the gate. He paused to say goodbye and I awkwardly shoved the wineglass toward him. “Or should I keep it and wash it?” I regretted the question as soon as I asked it. Why did I have to make a big deal out of a stupid glass? I shouldn’t have said anything.
“No, it’s fine. I’ll take it.”
“Thanks again.”
“Sure.” He hesitated a little bit longer and I started to lose whatever peace I’d gained.“So, tomorrow night, then?”
“Tomorrow night?”
“For wine.I thought… I thought you wanted to do this again?”
“Oh, I didn’t-”
“I just thought because the bottle was already opened and that way we could finish it. If you already have plans-”
“Ben, stop!” I held up my hand and laughed at the ridiculous turn our conversation had taken. “Tomorrow night is great. I’ll be here. Bring the wine! I’ll provide the glasses next time.”
His easy smile returned. “It’s about time you started pulling your weight around here.”
I stared at him in wonder. Was I really considering this? “Same time, same place, yeah?”
“Yeah.”
We finally parted ways. It wasn’t until I stepped inside my house that I realized I was smiling. I locked up and made my way to bed, thinking about Ben the entire way.
He really was adorable. I had probably judged him unfairly at first.
And that grin of his.
He was too good looking for his own good.
And single!
Sure, he had that date on Friday, but a second date wasn’t even exclusive territory yet.
There was obviously only one thing left to do: Set him up with my sister.
Chapter Eight
“I brought booze!” Emma called from the front door.
“How was study group?” I leaned over the kitchen island to catch a glimpse of my sister as she slammed the front door behind her.
“Long,” she sighed. “I didn’t think it would ever end! It’s Friday night. Don’t these people have anything better to do with their lives?”
I pulled the hummus from the refrigerator and finished setting up our dinner asEmswept into the kitchen in all her wild hair, grad-student,bohemianglory. She plopped two bottles of cheap Sangria on the countertop and flashed me a brilliant smile.
“That’s a hangover in a bottle.”
