Page 65 of You Had Me at Merlot

Jamie quickly used the remote to point out several films that might fit that bill, realizing that most of them were romantic comedies that would make them laugh and feel, which felt about perfect.

Leighton pointed at the screen. “Serendipity. I remember seeing that when it first came out. Wanna?”

“I’m in.”

Leighton smiled. She had her hair pulled up in what could only be described as a messy twist with wisps of escaped strands framing her face. Her makeup from the day had faded, and she looked so incredibly cozy wearing a navy Pepperdine sweatshirt on Jamie’s couch. The entirety of the scene made Jamie incredibly warm and happy. She slid onto the couch directly alongside Leighton since it was a must for popcorn sharing. The unplanned warmth from their proximity was also nice on such a chilly December evening.

“Oh, see, this movie is perfect because it starts out during the holiday season,” Leighton said with the biggest smile. The thing about Leighton was that she smiled a lot. But her smiles were typically composed, conservative. Tonight’s brand of smile was different, and it had a way of filling Jamie’s cup clear to the brim.

“I’d forgotten about that. And it’s in the city.”

“Our own concrete backyard.”

As the film played on and the couple in the story continued to dance around each other over time, Jamie noticed that they’d eased closer together on the couch, her body resting partially on Leighton’s. Howhad that happened? She could have slid back over into her own space, once she’d realized, but didn’t. This was just them. The inarguable connection she had to Leighton was something she was learning to accept and maybe even rely upon.

As the credits played, Leighton turned to her and offered a soft smile. “I really liked that one.”

“Yeah, me, too.”

Nights like that one, where nothing important actually happened, yet everything had, were their norm. She was growing to look forward to her Leighton time, and she was working on leaning in to that more. Thinking less. She treasured their times together, their conversations, their ability to understand each other from a glance across the room. She’d finally come to the conclusion that it was simply a matter of accepting that she might have to allow herself to be vulnerable to Leighton if they were ever going to get to the next step.

From her cherished spot in front of the café, her mother explained to Leighton that her geraniums would keep wasps and mosquitos away, and Leighton pointed out that the petals of the geranium were actually edible, to which they both remarked how amazing nature was. She watched, smothering a grin before returning inside to prepare for the great coffee-wine swap. The blackboard would need to be changed out, she’d dim the lighting scheme to something a little more romantic, and couples and groups would rotate into the wine bar as the laptop dwellers packed up. The transition was one of her favorite parts of her workday.

“This was fantastic wine,” Leighton said, carrying in the two glasses from outside.

Jamie leaned her chin in her hand on the tall counter from which orders were picked up. “Want a top-off? I might be able to make that happen.”

Leighton widened her eyes. “You’re generous.” She extended her glass and bounced it. Jamie filled a third of a pour, checked in with Leighton, and upped it to a half. “Now we’re talkin’. What time do you hang up your boss hat tonight?”

She stopped and stared at the wall. “Well, now I need a boss hat.”

Leighton sipped her wine and took a look at the glass. “This is really fantastic. We should order more.”

“Two cases on their way already. Why are you asking about mynight?” She was half ready to collapse on her couch, and half ready to go on any adventure Leighton laid down.

“Was hoping for a little company. It’s been a weird day.” Leighton’s expression had changed on that last sentence. The smile was forced.

“Why don’t we grab a bite? Let me finish up a few things here, and we can go. I think my mom—”

“She sent me in to say that she has Bunco group in an hour and would like a hug and a kiss before she goes.”

“On it.” As she passed Leighton, she gave her hand a squeeze. “Don’t go anywhere.”

“Not a chance. I’ll be right here.”

The words sang comfortably in Jamie’s chest as she moved through the bar, happier than just a few minutes before. Dinner with Leighton was on the agenda. She’d needed someone today, and she’d chosen Jamie. She tapped her lips and closed her eyes, wondering if maybe this was the night she’d tell Leighton that she was ready to take a chance on them. It was a big step, but Jamie felt her courage assembling. “It’s go-time.”

Chapter Seventeen

The two of them touched a lot. Leighton had noticed it more and more in the past couple of weeks. Little squeezes, like the one Jamie had just given her hand, or the trailing of fingertips on a shoulder as one of them passed the other. She loved their interactions, but the more time she spent with Jamie, the more she craved…well,more. It was a problem, and she knew in her heart that she couldn’t stand still waiting any longer. She’d been careful not to step outside the friendship box Jamie had carefully drawn. She had wanted that move to come from Jamie. And yet it hadn’t. She had to accept that it likely never would.

Regardless, she’d had a difficult day and needed to talk through her swirling thoughts with someone, and there was really no one better than Jamie.

“What’s going on with you?” Jamie asked and popped a bite of bread. They’d chosen the little tapas place a few blocks up from the café because Jamie lived for their patatas bravas. “You’re vacillating between breezy and haunted, and that’s not normal.”

She took a deep breath and thumbed her napkin. “The letter came back. The one I sent my father, and it’s messed with my head.”

Jamie’s knife went still near the butter. She set it down. “Bastard.” A pause. “Lay, I’m so sorry.”

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