Page 45 of The Cask

My jaw dropped. “What? That’s great!”

“I’ve been invited to an in-person interview on Monday.”

“That’s really great. I’m happy for you,” I told him.

And I meant it.

Luchesi was a hard worker and he had been working toward a VP position since I’d met him. Our relationship didn’t work out, but I never wished him ill. He just wasn’t the man for me. I thought our work ethic being so similar would result in us pushing each other toward our goals. Instead, he wanted me to dull my shine and be more of an asset to him than an asset to myself.

“Thank you,” he said graciously. “I knew you’d be happy for me.”

“I’m sure you have a lot of people who are happy for you. You’ve wanted this for a long time, so I’m glad to hear it’s coming to fruition.”

“I knew you were the right person to talk to about this. If you were here, I’d pull out a bottle of my best wine and we’d celebrate.”

I rolled my eyes. “I should get back to work. But I am happy for you. I hope it works out in your favor.”

“I didn’t tell you the best part.” His voice was teasing and playful.

Of course he disregarded the fact that I’m at work. Same ol’ Luchi.

My voice was flat. “You have one minute. What’s up?”

“I know how important your wine bar is to you, so I’ll make this quick. I just wanted to tell you that I’m going to be in town this weekend. And I was hoping maybe we could get dinner.”

Ignoring his comment about The Cask, I asked the more pressing question. “Why are you going to be in Richmond?”

He went to school in Richmond. His family was from New York. He had a home in Seattle. There was literally nothing I could think of that would require him to return.

“The interview is in Richmond. The corporate office is in Richmond.” He paused. “If I get the job, I’ll be moving back to Richmond.”

I stopped typing. “Oh.”

“Don’t sound so excited,” he laughed.

“I’m just…surprised. And I don’t see how this concerns me.”

“This weekend is the festival, right?”

“Yes.”

“I know this is out the blue, but I would love to take you out. I fly in on Thursday night and if you’re free, we could go to our spot. I’m sure you’ll be busy all weekend dealing with the festival so I’m just asking for a couple hours of your time once I get into town.”

“I’m busy. And speaking of The Cask and me being busy, I need to get back to work. Good luck with your interview and take care of yourself.”

“Don’t be like that.”

“Be like what? I have to go.”

“Just think about it. Please. I’ll see you soon.”

“Goodnight, Luchesi.”

“Aight,” he laughed. “Goodnight.”

I ended the call, but I didn’t immediately go back to work. Hearing from Luchi didn’t dredge up old feelings, but it dredged up something. I couldn’t stop thinking about all the lessons I learned from that relationship.

And that’s probably why I haven’t had another one since.

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