“Now, normally a tasting would start with one of the drier whites,” he went on, “but since the peach is what we’re best known for, I like to pour it first, before your palate gets too distracted by the bolder stuff.”
He set the glass down and gestured to the bottles behind him. “After that, we’ll move to a dry Riesling, then our Gewürztraminer—light, floral, a little spicy—and finish with our cherry dessert wine, which happens to pair perfectly with dark chocolate.”
He grinned. “And yes, there will be chocolate.”
That got a full round of pleased sighs and a few delighted chuckles.
Glasses clinked behind us as the first round was poured. Babs took two and handed one to me like it was communion, but just as I took my first sip, my phone buzzed.
Not knowing if it was Ashley, my mom, or…Leo, I had no choice but to take a look.
New text. Unknown number.
The area code was familiar—same as Ashley’s—but it wasn’t her.
Unknown: Where are you?
I tapped back:
Me: Who is this?
Something fluttered behind my ribcage.
I stood there beside Babs, barely noticing the surprisingly strong peachiness of the wine on my tongue.
Another buzz.
Unknown: Noah. I knocked on your door, but you weren’t answering. Just wanted to make sure you were okay.
I didn’t even have to ask how he got my number. I just looked sideways at Babs.
She smiled over her glass. “What?”
I squinted at her, lips twitching.
“Nothing,” I said. So why did my pulse do that thing?
Me: I’m at the winery. Last-minute change of plans.
I watched the three dots bounce.
Noah: Well damn.
I smirked, then hesitated…
I didn’t want to be the girl who asked, but I also didn’t want to spend the rest of this trip wondering.
Me: Your mom said you might be talking with your wife…? That there might still be hope for you two?
Was that direct enough, without being too direct?
I read it again. It was pretty direct.
Noah: Ex. But no.
Noah: Just…no.
Okay then. Huh.
