Page 42 of A Sip of Sherry

“What’d I miss?”I asked as I took my seat.

“I ordered dessert.”A pretty pink blush stained her cheeks.“I hope you don’t mind.”

“Enough to share?”

“I don’t share dessert, but I ordered you one.”

“Is this one of those siblings things?”

“Nope.It’s a my best friend owns her own cake shop, and I am never denied my fair share.I’m spoiled.”

A laugh should have rumbled out of me, some entertaining wit, but Vic’s words echoed in my head instead,the second you show them the real you, they bolt.

The server returned and placed two plates in front of us.I glanced at the decadent slice of cake.“Chocolate?”

Sherry scoffed.“That is not just chocolate.It is Lainey’s triple-dark chocolate espresso dream cake with a ganache so smooth it could fix your childhood trauma.”

I huffed a quiet laugh, but the tightness in my chest didn’t ease.“I think I’ll need more than a slice for that.”

Sherry’s eyes widened.“I am so sorry.I wasn’t thinking.”

“No, it’s all right.”I gave her a small smile, attempting to push past the heaviness pressing against my ribs.“It was funny.Now let’s see if it’s true.”

I cut off a sliver and forked it into my mouth.It was rich, smooth, decadent.Unfortunately, as good as it was, it wasn’t enough to cover the bitterness on my tongue.

Sherry’s eyebrow arched.“So?”

“Amazing.”

“I told you.Life changing.”

I went in for another piece, but as much as I wanted it, I couldn’t ignore the heavy weight in my stomach that was dulling my appetite.

Sherry pointed her fork at me.“Okay… seriously, what’s going on?”

“Nothing.”

“Nothing, my ass.”

“I’m just… thinking.”

“That could be dangerous.”

I wanted to tell her everything.Who I was, what I was really doing in Vine Valley, but I couldn’t.Not yet.

“Just tired.”

She didn’t push, just flashed an understanding smile and returned to her cake.But the lightness between us had shifted, and I hated how easily I had let it.

For a second, I almost told her.

And for a second, I wanted to.

We finished with dessert, and I paid the bill before making our way back to my car.I opened her door because despite it all, I was still a gentleman.Not something I could equate to my father, but my own moral code.

The ride to her house was quiet.The truth of the situation, a black cloud between us I desperately wanted to toss out the window and drive as far away from as possible.But that was the thing with dark clouds… they tended to follow you.

I eased the car to a stop in her driveway and placed the car in park before turning to her.The confession sitting on my tongue practically begging to come out.

---