Page 75 of The One That I Want

‘If I do have an advantage, it will be a small one. Sally always—’ He stops and sighs. ‘And I’ve done it again. I don’t know why I keep bringing her up to you.’

There’s something in his tone that gives me pause. Why wouldn’t he be able to talk about his ex with me? Perhaps if we weredating, but we’re simply two foodie friends on a night out.

And then I remember Tiggy’s list and the reference to Ewan as my ‘hot friend’. He does look especially handsome tonight, but it’s moot – I don’t think of him that way. Besides, I’m just days away from my date with Harrison.

‘It’s fine – really,’ I assure him. ‘How long were you together?’

‘Ten years.’

Ten years is a long time. If anything, this information makes me even more curious about her.

‘And what does Sally do? For a living?’

‘She was – rather, still is – a wine merchant – head buyer for a major chain here in the UK.’

My mouth falls open. ‘Seriously?’

He laughs at my amazement. ‘Mm-hmm. I’d say that 99 per cent of what I know about wine I learnt from her – or from someone she’s connected with. Portugal… Spain… those were work trips for her and I would tag along. And to Italy, France, Germany… even Kakheti in Georgia. It’s actually the birthplace of wine. At one winery, a monastery, we tasted their 1000th vintage.’

‘Oh, wow – that’s…’ I say, leaving the thought unsaid. My wide eyes and shaking head say it all, really.

‘I know.’

‘And how was it, the wine?’

‘Uh…’

I laugh. ‘Not your favourite?’

‘No, but a good experience.’

‘And why did you two break up?’ I ask, clearly catching him unawares.

‘Oh, you don’t want me to bore you with all that,’ he says with an uneasy laugh. He returns to the wine menu, staring at it intently.

Right, so the subject of Sally is off the table, but I really don’t understand why.

‘Oh, I meant to tell you,’ he says. ‘I readNouveau Life– well, a lot of it,’ he says.

‘Oh?’

He laughs. ‘Not the demographic of your typical reader?’

‘It’s not that. We are hoping to appeal to a broader readership thanNouveauprint… It’s just… Well, thank you. I appreciate you showing an interest in my work.’

‘Of course – you’ve shown an incredible interest in mine, especially the cronuts.’

‘They are so good.Whyare they so good?’

‘Hmm, pastry, sugar, crème pat… who would have thought that’d be a winning combination?’ he asks cheekily.

‘You’re teasing me.’

‘Just a little bit,’ he says, his lips curling up at the corners.

As his gaze drops again, I cast mine over Ewan. He really does look especially handsome tonight. I like him in blue – it brings out his eyes.

I focus back on the menu, suggesting several dishes. Ewan does the same and together, we assemble a delectable array. When our waiter comes back with sparkling water, Ewan orders, including a Grenache – orGarnachaas it appears on the menu – from Madrid. He promises it will be aromatic with a hint of pepper and spice.

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