Page 34 of Kisses Sweeter than Wine

“What does this have to do with who you love?” he asked.

“Oh my God.” She jumped to her feet, stumbling in his direction, reaching for his drink.

“Nope. You’ve had enough.” He jerked his hand away.

She fell backward on the bed, stretched her arms wide, and sighed. “Jesus, Merlot. You’re the man. You’re who I love. I can’t believe I had to spell it out for you like that.”

“You’re drunk.”

She scooted closer to the headboard. “The first time you told me you loved me, you were stoned.” She hugged one of the pillows. “Do you have any weed? It’s legal now.”

He burst out laughing. “Even if I did, you are not getting high while you’re already this wasted.”

“You’re no fun.”

He took another long, slow sip. He let the liquor ease down his throat while he contemplated her words.

Neither one of them were the same teenagers who made love in this very bed. They were both in love with a memory. He’d held on to Daisy because deep down he knew she and her mother had an exit strategy, but he never wanted to believe they would ever execute it.

There had been a part of him that needed to accept they were gone.

“How could you have dated Rachel?” she asked.

He jerked his head. “You know about that? When I mentioned dating Malbec’s ex, I didn’t mention a name.”

“The scandal about what happened to her a couple of years ago made national news.” She hiccupped.

Not a good sign.

“That was one of the biggest mistakes of my life,” Merlot admitted. “But it was a very short-lived relationship.” He pushed himself back and pulled her close. He wanted to feel her in his arms. It wasn’t a need to know the past, but to get a sense of the present.

The truth had come out and he didn’t have a grip on his emotions.

All he knew was that he needed to know what might be and the only way to do that was to start over.

But could they do that with a secret they both had to keep?

She snuggled into his body, wrapping her arm around his stomach. “Don’t you have a response to what I said?” She hiccupped again.

It was only a matter of time before she made a beeline to the bathroom. Looked like he was going to have a houseguest for the night.

“I honestly have so many emotions, and they are clashing around in my brain like wildfire.” He lifted her chin with his thumb and forefinger. “The girl I love died and I get she has to stay dead. We can’t go back and make up for lost time. Like you said, you’re Talbot Grant. You’re an entirely different person.”

“In name, yes. But I am still me.” She covered her mouth and belched.

He sat up, leaned across the bed, and found a garbage can. She might not make it to the bathroom, and he didn’t really want to spend his night cleaning up vomit. “I think it’s best if we table this conversation for when you’re sober.”

She shoved the trash can out of the way. “No. I want to do this now.”

“All right, but you won’t like what I have to say.” He stood, needing a little distance. He couldn’t get it all out while he held her in his arms. “You can’t be in Candlewood Falls. As much as I would love to see what you and I could be together in this new life you created for yourself, how our two worlds could line up, it can’t ever be. Not now. Not ever. Your father is going to come here and announce his run for governor. He’s a cruel and vindictive man. He won’t just go after you. He’ll come after me and my family. I can’t allow that. The best thing you can do is leave as soon as possible. If you must stay while your boss is here, hide in your house. We shouldn’t be seen together because I won’t be the only one who figures it out. This is a small town and people don’t forget. We have a memorial for you and your mom in the park.”

“I know. I saw it.”

He closed his eyes and took in a deep breath. “You’re the one who doesn’t get it now.” He blinked. “Your dad didn’t want that memorial. He fought my parents on it. He didn’t believe you were dead. He approached me at your funeral and wondered why I didn’t pretend to die with you.”

She gasped, but it became like a gurgle mixed with a burp. “That’s terrible.” Her words slurred.

“It didn’t end there. He still owns the land your home was on.”

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