"I want to ask you something," he says. "And I want you to know upfront that your answer doesn't change anything here."
I cross my arms, studying him. The fact that he named the power dynamic before I did releases the knot in my chest.
He runs a hand through his hair. "I know you said you’d think about it, and I’ve been hoping that wasn’t a polite no." His mouth twitches, but his gaze holds steady. "Would you have dinner with me? Just us, somewhere nobody’s watching."
My heart is hammering against my ribs, and I'm grateful that my arms are crossed because it hides the tremor in my hands. Everything in my brain is screaming at me to deflect, to make a joke, to say something sharp that will send him on his way and keep the safe distance I've maintained for years.
But my mouth has other plans.
"Sure." The word is out before I can catch it, hanging in the air between us like a bell that's already been rung.
Charlie's brows shoot up, his head jerking back in genuine surprise. "Sure?" he repeats.
"Yeah." I swallow hard, ignoring the heat rushing to my cheeks. "But I pick the restaurant."
"Deal." His face softens, a quiet satisfaction taking hold.
"Das Edelgarten. It's in Fredericksburg." The words are coming faster now, as if my mouth has decided to commit fully before my brain can mount a counteroffensive. "Saturday night. Seven o'clock."
"Saturday at seven. Das Edelgarten. I'll pick you up at six-thirty."
I hold his look for a moment, and the honesty in his hazel eyes makes my breath catch. There are no clever lines, no deflections, no charming maneuvers.
"Okay. I'll text you my address," I offer.
His smile softens into something private, meant only for me. "Later, Sunshine," he says, his voice smooth like melted chocolate. Then he pushes off the doorframe and disappears. I hear Tabitha call out a cheerful goodbye as he leaves.
I press my hand against my chest where my heart is still pounding. I just agreed to dinner with Charlie Hayden, and the strangest part is that I don't want to take it back.
Tabitha appears in the doorway, looking unbearably pleased. "Charlie just walked through my tasting room with the biggest smile I've ever seen on a man's face. You want to tell me what happened, or should I guess?"
"Nothing happened."
"Sunny Reese, that man was practically floating." She crosses her arms. "Spill."
I try to hold out, but Tabitha's stare is relentless. "We're having dinner Saturday."
Tabitha lets out a squeal that could shatter crystal, clapping her hands. "I knew this was going to happen. It was only a matter of time." She presses both hands to her chest. "Where?"
"Das Edelgarten."
Her eyes go wide. "That's one of the nicest restaurants in Hill Country."
"I’m aware. That's why I picked it."
"You're going to need a dress."
"I have dresses."
Tabitha tsks. "You’ve got three funeral dresses and one yellow sundress that's been in the back of your closet since you moved here." She holds up a hand to stop my protest. "I've seen your closet, Sunny."
"For the record, I wore the sundress to his grandmother’s dinner party," I mutter, turning back to my equipment.
"He's a good one," Tabitha says, her tone shifting from teasing to warm. "You know that, right?"
I do know that. That's the part that terrifies me.
"Don't you have a tasting room to run?"
