Page 31 of Love in the Time of Conversation Hearts

Lauren’s smooth hand lands on mine, and I turn to face her, barely aware of her serene features as my mind races wildly over every word Adam uttered. Had he wanted more than a single night together? Did I shoot myself in the foot assuming otherwise?

Do I want more?

“Cora, I’m not going to tell you to relax, because I know that’s like throwing a log in that fireplace and telling it not to burn.” Lauren nods toward the hearth, whose heat warms the left side of my body, leaving the right side clammy in comparison. “But remember what we talked about on Saturday? About enjoying yourself and not having a plan for once? Maybe just focus on whether or not you even want to see him again, rather than deciding right now if you’re going to work out in the long run or if you should cut your losses now. That’s too big a bite to swallow, babe.”

“Kinda like his dick,” Charlie quips.

“I swear to God.” Harrison scrapes a hand over his face. “I’m going to force my way into that tasting Mabel’s running.” He gathers his glass and pushes to his feet, leaving the three of us staring after him as he stalks through the archway into the tasting room, much to the elderly woman’s delight.

“So much for bonding time with my brother,” I say with a deflated sigh.

“He’s fine,” Charlie says with a wave. “As much as I’d love to continue supplying your mental spiral with innuendo to lighten the mood, I have a seven o’clock bachelorette group to attend to.” She stands and hefts the box of rattling bottles onto her narrow shoulder. “But for what it’s worth, I think you should go for it. What have you got to lose?”

Lauren blinks pointedly in my direction, as though reiterating Charlie’s words. I sink into my seat, tilt my head back, and get an eyeful of the old wooden beams holding up the low ceiling of the cottage. What I’m really seeing is Adam. Adam’s strong hands gripping my thighs. Adam’s gaze dropping to my lips. Strangest of all, I’m seeing Adam’s smile as he talked about his mother. The light in his eyes when he told me his plans for Heartsong. They’re all the things I stand to gain by spending time with him, and they make it damn hard to remember what I stand to lose.

“I’m so fucked,” I mutter beneath my breath.

“Probably so,” Lauren replies, sinking back into her own chair with a huff. “But at least it’s by him.”

Ugh.