“Did the grapes for this particular white wine have red skin?”
“Do you have the year before this vintage? That one had some woody notes I’ve been trying to recreate for years.”
“Do you have any rainy season wines available? Those have a tendency to be richer in their quality and a little less dry. I’d hate for my date to not enjoy your selection simply because she can’t swallow it.”
“I thought I recognized that voice.”
My eyes shot up and I watched as Michael Kagle made his way for me.
“Mike! I had no idea you were working here,” I said.
“It’s my traveling season. I’m in the throes of educating the staff on the wine selection you’re giving them such a hard time about,” he said.
I stood up and greeted my friend with a clap on his back.
“And who is this beautiful date of yours?” he asked.
“This is Michelle Danforth. Michelle, this is Michael Kagle. He’s the foremost expert on wines this side of the country.”
“It’s very nice to meet you,” she said.
“I promise you, the pleasure is very much mine,” Mike said.
“Down boy. She’s already taken,” I said.
I tossed a wink over to Michelle and watched her eyes glisten with awe. It was working. I could tell she looked impressed with my actions. And I basked in the glow of it. There was something about having her at my side that felt right. Perfect. The way she looked and the way she held herself and the way her eyes sparkled with the illumination of the restaurant.
She fit perfectly into this world, and she didn’t even know it.
“If I might make a suggestion?” Mike asked.
“I’d love it if you did,” I said.
“If you’re going with the fish tonight, then choose the Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair La Romanee Grand Cru. It’s a Pinot Noir that will leave you breathless. But, if you choose to go with the steak—which I will not blame you if you do—then the Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignon cannot be passed up.”
“I’m hurt you didn’t suggest any of my wines,” I said.
“Something tells me this lovely woman has already tried your wines. I’m simply out to expand her experiences,” Mike said.
“Thank you so much for your suggestions,” Michelle said. “The fish sounds good tonight.”
“Then you’ll love the wine that comes with it,” Mike said.
Our dinner was fantastic. Filled with a beautiful bottle of wine and a salmon that was out of this world. It saddened me when we had to leave the next day, even though I knew we would still be seeing one another. After all, the house hadn’t sold yet, which meant re-cleaning and re-staging after Cecily had painted it with her disgusting fingertips.
“Michelle?” I asked. “Time to wake up.”
She groaned and shifted as we breached Stillsville’s city limits.
“A little longer,” she said.
>
I grinned at her as I reached over and ran my hand through her hair.
“Come on. We need to head by Cecily’s and get your stuff.”
“Why?” she asked, as she turned towards me.