Page 57 of This Thing Between Us

“Red, white, or rosé?” I asked.

She looked at the different bottles I placed in front of her, the five different options she had to choose from.

“I’ll try this one.” She pointed to my favorite blend.

“Good choice.” I only made white and rosé because I knew it sold well, especially in the summer when we did the majority of our business. Personally, I always opted for red. Whitney’s choice made me very happy.

I poured us each a glass, then made a toast. “To good friends reuniting at last.” I raised my glass, waiting for Whitney to join me. She just stared at my raised arm, not a lick of emotion crossing her face.

What they hell are you thinking, Sprinkles?

Reluctantly, she lifted her arm, clinking her glass against mine.

I took a sip, my eyes not leaving her mouth. I watched as she took a hesitant sip.

She pulled the stemless wine glass away from her and looked at the wine, holding it up to the light. “Wow, this is really good.”

I pulled my hand to my chest in mock offense. “Don’t act so surprised.”

Whitney released a joyous laugh and the sound was like music to my ears.

Then she swiveled in her stool and hopped off to look around. I drank, watching her run her fingers along the leather chairs. She peeked through the wooden shutters to the back patio.

“This is spectacular, Jack.”

Pride swelled within me knowing that Whitney appreciated the work I’d put into this place. I’d built it while in the police academy. Got everything up and running before I started my permanent position on the Haver’s Creek police force. I told her as much. She listened, nodding at the story, while continuing to look out back.

When I finished telling her about the building process, she brought her chin over her shoulder.

“Is there more to see?”

Just then the lights flickered, and the wind howled louder. This place was built to withstand high winds. It had to be in Ohio. But that didn’t mean the fortress was impenetrable.

“Come on, let me show you the rest of the place.” I gestured towards a door that led to the kitchen and office.

I followed her around cautiously, not trusting this unexpected peace between us.

She nodded and made noises of appreciation. I wasn’t sure she even realized she was doing it, but I continued to show her around, nonetheless.

A private dining space that could serve up to twelve people for a plated dinner impressed her the most. I saved the best for last.

“There’s something else I want to show you.” A spiral staircase took us into the cellar.

Just then a siren from far away sounded.

Whitney paused on a step, causing me to once again bump into her from behind. I prayed she couldn’t feel my hardened member through my jeans.

“Is that what I think it is?” she asked.

The noise was unmistakable.

“Damn,” I said. Tornado sirens were not uncommon in this region. It seemed the bad weather took a turn for the worse. “Well, then it’s a good thing we were headed to the cellar anyway. It’s the safest place in a tornado,” I promised her. “We retrofitted it so that it could withstand anything.” The cellar housed the vineyard’s wine supply. Even if a tornado tore through the building upstairs, the cellar should remain protected.

“Come on, let’s hurry downstairs so I can pull the shelter door shut.” I placed my free hand on her shoulder, gently encouraging her to move forward.

Chapter 20

Whitney

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