Page 83 of Billion Dollar Mistake

“Yeah, but not for wine tasting, just for lunch.”

He sits back with a grin.

“I'm glad I could break you in.” I don't miss the twinkle in his eye.

“Such a dirty mind.” I breathe, not hating it. His desire makes me feel wanted. Which is something I’m not used to.

“Sorry. Whenever you're around, I can’t help myself.”

I know the feeling, I say to myself. I know that feeling very well.

“Cheers to a wrong text,” I say.

“Cheers,” he replies and we clink our glasses. As we both take a sip, we hold each other's eyes. I wish I could pause this moment, this feeling. Being here feels right.

“What made you keep talking to me?”

It occurs to me that it seems out of character for him. Now that I’ve gotten to know him, gotten to care for him, he shouldn’t have kept our exchange going. But he did.

“I had this need to keep talking to you.”

I rub my finger along the stem of the glass.

“I’m not usually distracted.”

“I should thank my charming personality for that.”

I wiggle my brows playfully at him, earning me a wolfish grin.

“It’s definitely what made you stand out to me. That and your beauty.”

I feel a warm flush run through me and up to my cheeks.

Gesturing to the vineyards, he asks, “How about we walk through the vines?”

“Yes, please.”

I want nothing more than to explore more of this place with him and I alone.

We walk hand in hand through the rows of grapevines. We enter the third row when I notice a couple taking a picture.

I tug on his hand, getting his attention to a couple nestled in a grapevine with the sunset in the background.

“Looks like they’re trying to take a picture, but they’re struggling,” I whisper.

“Mm,” he says, looking over at them.

The guy is holding out his phone, but she shakes her head not liking the angle.

“Let me take it for them,” I say as we approach them.

“Would you like me to take a photo for you?” I ask.

“Oh, yes, please.” The woman's face brightens.

“I can’t get the vineyard, sunset and us in the shot.”

“No worries. I’ll get it,” I say, taking the camera and standing back.

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