“Tell me all the things about the winery. I want to know it all.”
Deo’s face lights up as he launches into the story of how he decided to return. I sit back and listen as a sense of wholeness settles in my chest. This is the feeling I was always chasing. I didn’t realize I was running in the wrong direction for so long, but at least I’m back on track now.
I’ll deal with the emptiness Vanian will leave behind when the time comes.
Chapter 15
Vanian
“I forgot what a hoot Deo is.” I lean back in my chair. “He was funny as a kid, too.”
“Not as funny as Brogan, but he’s up there.”
Balt and Deo have excused themselves from the table, and while we wait for them to return, I focus on Nantes. Man, his eyelashes are long. Dark too. Almost like he’s wearing mascara, but I know he’s not. They’ve always been like that.
Funny how I remember the planes of his face, the dimple in his left cheek, the small mole next to his nose on the right side. As a teen I always wished I was as good looking as Nantes. I wanted the girls to chase me like they chased him. Only I didn’t know then that he didn’t want them.
I wonder how things could’ve been different if I had known. Would we have messed around and explored with each other instead of random people? Would I have lost my virginity with him?
“What?” he asks, turning his head to look at me. “You’re staring at me.”
“Just reminiscing.” I reach out and brush his hair behind his ear. “You’re very handsome, you know? You always have been.”
“Even when I was a scrawny kid?”
“Yep. Even then.”
“Well, same. You’re not exactly hard on the eyes.”
I’m tempted to lean over and kiss him right in front of everyone but Balt returns, putting his wallet in his back pocket.
“Dinner’s covered.”
“Balt,” Nantes complains. “You didn’t have to do that.”
“I wanted to.”
“Thank you,” Nantes says.
“Yeah, thanks. That’s cool, man. We’ll get you next time.”
Balt waves me off, but he smiles. Deo returns a minute later, but his face is screwed up.
“What’s wrong, love?” Balt asks, rubbing Deo’s back as he sits.
“Someonealready paid the bill.”
Balt chuckles, leaning in to kiss Deo’s temple. “Beat ya to it.”
“Thank you.” Deo gazes adoringly at his man.
Is that what being in love looks like from the outside? I don’t think I’ve seen it often. Sure, I’ve seen plenty of couples, but never just looking at each other like no one else exists. I bet it feels nice, but maybe it’s a little scary too. You’d miss it if it were gone.
The four of us walk out, and I find myself leaning into Nantes a bit. “Shit. I think the sake is going to my head.”
Nantes chuckles. “Not me. I stuck to my one cup.”
“It was so good though.”
