Once inside, I looked out at Lexington’s skyline. The September sky was beginning to bring on the crimsons and purples as the sun continued its descent toward the horizon. With over an hour of sunlight, I had an idea.
First, I changed out of my skirt and blouse and into a casual sundress. Yes, my wrists were visible, but Fin already knew about them. My high heels were replaced with flat sandals, and I removed the hair tie from my ponytail, brushing my long hair and allowing it to flow over my shoulders.
“This isn’t a date,” I said audibly to my reflection as I applied mascara and blush to my recently washed and toned face. “Not a date, but I didn’t want to be the mess I’d been last night.”
I brushed my teeth and applied lip gloss.
Next, I found a bottle ofDangerous, a bourbon-barrel-aged semi-sweet red wine from a nearby winery in Versailles, Kentucky. I opened the bottle, removed the cork, and replaced it with a wine stopper. Then I took the bottle and two glasses out onto the balcony.Standing back, I looked at the small bistro table and shook my head.
“Shit, food.” I went back to the kitchen and searched. Within the refrigerator, I found a half a block of Colby cheese, a small block of Swiss cheese, and a little wheel of Brie. I gathered some grapes, strawberries, and enough crackers to put together a small but adequate charcuterie board. As I stared at it, I realized there wasn’t meat.
Since Fin and I parted ways, I’d stopped eating meat.
He could deal.
The clock on the microwave read 6:52 p.m.
I nibbled my lower lip.
What if he doesn’t come?
What if he set me up just like fourteen years ago?
I took the charcuterie board out to the balcony. After placing it on the table with the wine, I lifted my face to the late summer sky and exhaled. If Fin didn’t show, all this preparation was moot. We didn’t have any shit to discuss or fences to mend. If Fin didn’t show after he invited himself, I was done.
Removing the wine stopper, I poured red wine into one of the glasses. Pinching the stem, I swirled the red liquid and inhaled the bouquet of sweetness and fruit. I took a sip, enjoying the full-bodied and smooth texture combined with the flavors of strawberry,raspberry, cherry, and plum while allowing the slight amount of alcohol to calm my nerves.
I jumped at the echo of my doorbell.
“Shit,” I mumbled. “He did come.”
CHAPTER 26
Vee
Opening the door to my condo, my expression was tempered by the flood of memories and sense of betrayal. Fourteen years ago, Fin broke my heart; now he was back. The same cocky grin. The same glimmering stare. The same self-assured saunter.
Fourteen years was way too long to pick up where we left off. Lives changed in that amount of time. Ideals and aspirations morphed. People came and went. Decisions created pathways that only time could explore. I wasn’t the same woman I was at twenty. Fin wasn’t the same man he’d been at twenty-two.
It was time to face our younger selves.
“You made it,” I said, taking a step back and allowing Fin entry.
He handed me a bottle of wine. “I come bearing gifts.”
“Thank you.”
Like me, Fin had also changed his clothes. No longer wearing the workout clothes from Maker’s Mark, Fin was wearing low-riding faded blue jeans, a solid blue t-shirt making his eyes even more vivid, and leather loafers.
His grin widened as his gaze scanned slowly and precisely from my hair to my sandals and back. “The more casual Vee. Absolutely spectacular.”
“I don’t recall inviting you in last night.” I gestured with my arm. “Welcome.”
“Since I was inside, I guess that confirms I’m not a vampire.”
“Ugh.” I was in myTwilightphase fourteen years ago. “That black eye also confirms it. You would have healed by now.”
His sharp chin remained tight as he scanned the condo. “This is really nice.”
