Page 69 of The Cask

I looked back down at the tablet. “That’s putting it mildly.”

“Well, what about Omari? Have you talked to him?”

“Not since before bed,” I told her without thinking.

“Before bed! Was he at your house?”

My head snapped up and I realized I might’ve said too much. “He called me to say goodnight,” I said carefully.

It wasn’t a lie. After he left my place he did call, and we said goodnight. But there was too much hope and expectancy in Alexis’s eyes. When I had to break the news to her that Omari and I were no longer a thing, I needed her not to feel like it would be the end of the world.

Because at some point, I have to end this charade.

Fortunately, a knock at the door allowed me to ignore the sinking feeling that thought caused.

“Who is that?” Alexis wondered as I slowly walked over to answer the knock.

I kept my eyes trained on the woman in the pink suit jacket. “I have no idea.”

She didn’t look familiar at all and it was too early for our happy hour kickoff to the festival.

“Hello,” I answered the door. “We’re not open yet, but how can I help you?”

“Hi, I’m with Delivery Divas and I have a delivery for Ebony Montresor,” the woman greeted me in a sing-song voice.

“I’m Ebony Montresor.”

“Sign here.” She handed me her tablet and I signed. “Okay, this is for you,” she said, handing me a pink box. “Enjoy and have a great day.”

“You, too. Thanks,” I called out even though I was staring at the package.

Alexis jumped up and bounded across the room. “Who is it from?”

I placed it on the bar. “I have no idea.”

She watched me as I pulled the card from the ribbon. “I’m so excited.”

I rolled my eyes, but I had to admit I was curious. Opening the card, I sucked on my bottom lip as I read.

A favorite for my favorite,I read silently.

“The card doesn’t have a name—” My sentence ended abruptly as I remembered that the delivery person said that same thing to me yesterday when she delivered the flowers and wine. “But I think I know who it’s from,” I sighed.

“Who?”

I opened the box to find a bottle of cava. Upon further inspection, it was from my favorite little vineyard. There was a card taped to the neck of the bottle. I pulled it off and instantly the butterflies tickled my insides. I couldn’t do anything except burst out laughing.

If I had real competition, he would’ve known your favorite wine and where to get it. So, here’s your favorite. A favorite for my treasure.

Alexis got closer. “What does it say? Who is it from? The suspense is killing me!”

“It’s from Omari.”

“I should’ve known,” she squealed. “That smile on your face said it all!”

I shook my head. “No, it didn’t.”

“Yes, it did.”

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