HER TASTE

was too still

er feet was hot already. Bees hovered near the lavender. The vines shimmered

a distance. Not too

e said without

lding with faded blue shutters and a crooked weather vane shaped like a fox.

like lemon oil an

he edge of the central tabl

hing he

h shelf. At the back, there was a chalkboard still marked with wine notes

eld court he

rformed

the windows wide. Light poured in.

uring, loved touching arms, loved pairing figs w

d y

corner and prete

ned toward

clear. This place was hers. I w

eres

d a brow.

ind of woman who

ind of man who recogniz

is someone pretending she doesn't want

ly. "Do you ever sto

Do you ever stop runni

oom q

outside. The creak of su

. Pulled out two tasting glasses and se

e here to help.

plea

to the back, behind the older vintages. He drew out one she did

wed. "That's n

en said. "

de wine

imented. While consulting. Your a

dn't te

't tell y

iced hand, uncorked it, and poured j

d back. Not of

first,"

ng instructed. But

Uncertain. Not weak - just undecided. There were

r eyes. "You mi

d

hy

d do when they wer

d the gla

ing warmer underneath. Plum. Black tea. A flash of bitterness

e holding your breath too l

the gl

ed it t

faintly. "You'

stub

s made

ng in her chest. By the way, he kept pulling p

Didn't drink. Just held it,

this place

ked. "Ex

looks. But you ha

ot your b

it's yours. And you've been avoiding it si

you doi

someone

Moved to her side of the

ice dr

ll something you hav

d to. I know

d brushing the table

idn't

Every small sound-her breath,

her mouth. Th

wine on his breath

id of you," s

be," he said. "I wa

e words beh

th

fingertips, just a slow spin on the tabl

cond