Page 64 of Bordeaux Bombshell
He doesn’t answer while we sway along to the end of the song, the DJ smoothly fading it into the recognizable violin strings of “At Last.” It feels fitting.
The flirtatious grin drops from my face, and I settle my cheek against his shoulder, listening to his heartbeat while we sway to the first verse.
Keeping our hands clasped, Nate places a knuckle under my chin, tipping my head up to meet his serious expression. “I don’t want to say I feel the same as I did seven years ago, because somehow, despite everything, I love you more today than I did then. Going through the shit we did, it didn’t make me love you any less, baby. It made me love you deeper. You are etched into the bones of my body. Every thought that defines me begins and ends with you.”
Ella Fitzgerald croons exactly what my heart is feeling. That I’m not unlovable just because I’m difficult. That my love and I have finally, finally found each other again.
Nate pulls me closer, his hold on me tight. “I want you to stay—to help me live the life we always dreamed of. Or to make new dreams. But I respect that you needed space, and what we used to want may not be enough for you anymore. If that’s the case, I’ll let you go and try to be happy about it. But just know that, to me, you are irreplaceable.”
My heart is overflowing via my tear ducts, and I need to sniff hard a few times before I can speak. “You know what I realized while I was gone? That it didn’t matter what plans I tried to make—they never felt right unless you were part of them.”
No more words need to be said as we dance, our bodies melting together, finally being allowed to settle into the shapes they were made for. The tension that’s been my constant companion for years floats away, and I relax against Nate’s chest.
Eventually, I gather myself together enough to add a final important point. I straighten and look into his eyes. Because I need him to know that my love isn’t dependent on him giving me what he promised when we were kids—that I’m his, for better or for worse. “I don’t want to hold on to old plans and old promises. I want to make new ones. With you.”
Slowly, the corner of his mouth lifts. “I have news for you on that front, but it can wait. Right now, what I need is this.” And then he leans forward, pressing his lips to mine in a soft, sweet kiss, dipping me toward the dance floor.
“Finally! I thought I was going to have to mash your faces together myself.” Philip’s laughing words pull me out of the other world Nate and I have been hiding in. “Took ya long enough,” he adds, smacking Nate on the back as he and Ophelia whirl past us.
“All the best things take time.” Nate laughs, twirling me under his arm again. “And she was worth it.”
Epilogue - Nate
Somethingtugsontheback of my pant leg as I double-check the cold storage fridge behind the tasting room.
“Wa-wa?” The toddler holding on to my calf looks up hopefully when I straighten. Suspicious bits of yellow cheese decorate the corners of his lips, accenting the cracker crumbs on the front of his shirt.
“Maggie! Your offspring is asking me for something, but I don’t know what it is,” I call, picking up my favorite—and only—nephew to bring him out front. Maggie and Kel are busy putting the last touches on the decor and setting out food for our grand opening. Our parents were here earlier, but left to rest before they come back for the official opening tonight.
As soon as we emerge from the back, Jordan lunges out of my arms toward his parents, so I put him down. Immediately, he beelines for Kel, pulling on his legs and babbling.
Two days after the wedding, Sutton and I signed a lease on a space on the Vancouver waterfront and got to work renovating it into the Sunshine Cellars urban tasting room. Portland’s skyline peeks out from across the water, and the Columbia River sparkles past the windows behind my family. The light silhouettes the amazing woman who’s been by my side doing a hell of a lot of work to get this place ready.
“Come here.” Sydney beckons me from the open doorway. Her blond hair is pulled back in its usual ponytail, her jeans hugging her thighs and ass—all of it is tempting as hell, but opening day waits for no man’s orgasm.
She was downright giddy when I told her about Sutton’s plans for Sunshine Cellars. Especially since a lot of it was based on the plans she and I had made so many years ago.
Theo and Sophie have given up being involved in the day-to-day running of the winery, opting to remain as investors and business consultants on an as-needed basis. My dad and I are co-managing the vineyard and the wine production, with some hired help. When he retires in a few more years, we’ll figure out if we need to hire anyone else.
After spending the summer under Mom’s supervision, Emma is poised to take over running the vineyard tasting room in a few more months. Despite my determination not to, I kind of like the nepo child. She’s grown on me.
Maybe it’s because she hangs on to every word my girl says. Anyone who knows how to appreciate Sydney gets a pass from me, unless they prove annoying as fuck.
I haven’t changedthatmuch.
“Can you believe it’s finally here?” The woman who’s infected every part of my life in the best way takes me by the hand, pulling me out onto the sidewalk.
“Couldn’t have done it without you, baby.” I tuck her into my side as we look up at the gold letters on the window.
Sunshine Cellars Tasting Room and Café.
When I asked Kel if he wanted to make this a joint venture, he’d said yes before I finished the sentence. My wine. His food.
Our family.
“You could’ve.” She squeezes my waist before pressing a kiss to my cheek. “But I’m so glad you didn’t.”
As soon as she leans back, I dart my head forward to kiss her. The ring of a bicycle bell chimes behind us, and someone catcalls, but I ignore them. If I want to kiss my girlfriend, I damn well will.
