Page 15 of Love, Lies, and Celtic Knots

“Coffee, please. And one of those éclairs.”

“Coming right up,” she says, sliding an éclair onto a paper plate and pouring me a cup of coffee. She sets them in front of me and leans on the counter, clearly ready for the tea of the gossip variety. “Spill. What’s going on?”

I take a sip of coffee, savoring the rich warmth before diving into my story. “Okay, first, the other night, I had a one-night stand. No names, just really, really, great sex.”

“Oh, I like where this is going.” Julie smiles.

“The next day, Brennen is freaking out because the wine critic that was supposed to come next month, is a month early. So I tell him I’ll be there when the critic shows up.” I take a bite of my pastry.

Julie claps her hands, sending flour flying through the air, “Uh huh. Keep going.”

“So, I’m standing there at the winery when in walks…wait for it…the guy from the hotel room I woke up in that morning. MilesDawson. The Miles Dawson—world renowned wine critic, Miles Dawson.”

Julie’s jaw drops, her green eyes wide. “And how’d that go? Was it awkward? Did he say anything?”

“Surprisingly, no. He did the tasting with Brennen but didn’t let on that he even recognized me. His tasting notes were thorough but fair.” I pause, biting into the éclair and closing my eyes at the perfect balance of sweetness and salt. “And then there was this morning.”

“Oh no. What happened?”

“Frank Morely,” I say, and her face instantly twists in disgust. “He showed up at my office, waving some ridiculous legal threat. He’s been suspended, but apparently, he doesn’t know how to quit while he’s ahead. He made this huge scene, Julie. Papers everywhere, flipped my assistant’s desk, yelling—it was a disaster.”

Julie shakes her head. “That man is the worst. How did you deal with him?”

“Here’s the kicker,” I say, leaning in conspiratorially. “Miles walked in while Frank was mid-rant. He just calmly stepped in, shut Frank down with a body slam, face first, into the ground. He offered to help me clean up the mess after Frank stormed out, but I turned down his help. But Julie, something came over me and we ended up kissing. Hot, intense kissing.” I shake my head.

Julie’s eyes go wide again. “Oh my god, Emma, this sounds like something straight out of a romance novel!”

I laugh, shaking my head. “It didn’t feel romantic at the time. I was too busy trying to get Frank’s spit off my desk. But yeah, Miles definitely earned some points today.”

Julie rests her chin on her hand, a dreamy look in her eyes. “So, what’s next? Are you going to see him again? Tell me you’re going to see him again.”

“Actually, we have a date tonight,” I admit, my cheeks flushing.

Julie’s jaw drops again, and she claps her hands together. “Finally! Emma Murphy, you’re going on a date! It’s about damn time!”

“Calm down,” I say, laughing. “It’s not that big of a deal.”

“Are you kidding me? This is huge. When’s the last time you went on a date? College?”

I roll my eyes. “It hasn’t been that long.” I have to think back, though…has it been that long?

Julie raises an eyebrow, clearly not convinced. “Well, I’m thrilled for you. Miles seems like a good guy. And if he can handle Frank, he can handle just about anything.”

“I think so, too,” I say, a small smile tugging on my lips. “I’m nervous, though. It’s been so long since I’ve put myself out there like this.”

Julie reaches across the counter, giving my hand a reassuring squeeze. “You deserve to be happy, Emma. And from the way you talk about him, it sounds like Miles might be exactly what you need.”

“Thanks, Julie,” I say, feeling a little more confident.

She grins and starts packing a small box of pastries. “Here. Take these for dessert tonight. On the house.”

“Julie, you don’t have to?—”

“I insist,” she says, sliding the box across the counter. “Consider it a ‘good luck on your date’ gift.”

I laugh, shaking my head as I take the box. “You’re the best, you know that?”

“Obviously,” she says with a wink. “Make sure he pays you back with his tongue.” She cackles at the horrified look on my face.

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