Page 79 of You Had Me at Merlot

Marvin shrugged. “There are times in life when you have to step out of your comfort zone. So here I am.” He adjusted his bow tie. “Sowing my wild oats.”

Well, if that wasn’t the perfect parallel to her own life right now. She’d waited for several days for Leighton to come into the store. Her nerves danced each time she thought it might happen. She’d gone over the words she wanted to impart, heartfelt and honest. Her hope was that they could steal away someplace quiet. Maybe have a glass of merlot on the couch in the next room, even after the bar closed if Leighton was up for it. It didn’t matter what her response was—Jamie had to at least be forthcoming about her feelings.

But Leighton hadn’t come by.

When Jamie inquired about her absence lately, she received a short text about work being killer. But somehow, Marvin’s arrival in a new spot served as an arrow sign blinking brightly. It meant thatshe was on the right path, pushing herself to walk out onto the most terrifying ledge in the name of something bigger than just herself: love.

It was close to seven when Leighton arrived at the bar, and Jamie was glad she’d stuck around a little later than usual. Leighton’s hair was down, and the windy day had left it looking like it had been blown out at a salon. Hers would never. “You’re here,” Jamie said, sending her a nervous grin. Her heart thrummed loud and fast. They’d not seen each other since the dinner from hell, and she wondered if Leighton would still be upset with her.

“I’m sorry. My schedule has been so weird.”

“Totally okay.” Jamie moved behind the bar. “What can I make you?”

“You don’t have to. I can make—”

“I want to.”

A pause. “Okay, ma’am. Your finest red.”

Jamie nodded. “I have a new one. Bourbon-barrel aged. Are you up for it?” She watched Leighton’s face, the way her features came together when she took in information. Her brows slightly raised in interest. Her lips softly pursed. Jamie’s stomach dipped. She wanted to take that face in her hands and—

“Now we’re talking.”

She blinked herself back into the flow of reality. “Do you want to sit?” Jamie gestured to the next room. The lighting was dimmer, and the couches made things feel less formal, perfect for a more intimate conversation. She was nervous now. Her mouth was dry and her palms tingled. Ignoring all that, she focused on the one person that mattered, Leighton.

“Lead the way.”

Jamie did, taking her spot on the comfy gray couch that seemed to be everyone’s favorite. Leighton had helped pick it out one afternoon after they’d grabbed a quick sushi lunch. The sun had been shining brightly, making Leighton’s skin glow and her eyes sparkle. Jamie had known in that moment that they were special, so why had she waited? Fear. The same fear that practically toppled her in this moment and nearly made her lose her courage. “I’ll start. I didn’t like how things went at our dinner with Tegan and Helen. I’m sorry.”

“I’m sure the wine didn’t help. But it was every bit as much me at fault as you. I apologize, too.”

“Something just took over, and I’m not proud of some of the comments I made.”

“I’m sure it was simply echoes from our history, right? The last gasps.” Leighton looked off into the distance, seemingly searching for the right words. “We’re unique. We’re important to each other, right?”

“Yes, we are. On that note…” A flare of nerves struck and Jamie’s hand shook. “Just need a minute.” She reached forward to set her glass of wine on the coffee table in front of them.

“Because you’re important to me,” Leighton said, filling the silence, “I wanted to come here today and tell you that I’m getting married.”

Jamie’s body stiffened, she missed the surface of the table, and the glass went over, sloshing wine onto the floor. The glass rolled on its side, and Leighton caught it just before it hit the floor. The whole scene played out in horrifying slow-motion because the words were too awful to absorb in real time.

“What did you say?” Jamie asked. She didn’t make a move for a towel. She couldn’t even acknowledge the spill because her heart was in a vise, and she wasn’t sure what to say or do. The edges of the world faded around her, and she wanted to scream.

“I know it sounds sudden, but Helen asked and I said yes. I’m actually really happy about it. Do you want me to get something for the—”

“Congratulations,” was the word that flew from her lips before she could process. That’s what people said, right? She was trying to be a normal human, but her world had just been flipped upside down like the flying pieces of a board game. She wanted to shoutNo. Wait. Not yet. Please.But none of those words seemed okay any longer. Had she really missed her window by five seconds?

“Are you surprised? You look it.”

“Yes and no,” Jamie said, coming to her senses and moving quickly back to the counter for a couple of towels for the spill. “Back in just a sec.”

“I know it might seem kind of sudden.”

“Only a little.” She dropped to her knees and went to work. Wiping up that wine felt like the clearing away of all she’d hoped for as tears sprang into her eyes. She blinked quickly, focusing on the task for longer than she needed to so Leighton wouldn’t spot the emotion. “Youboth seem really happy. I’m happy, too. For you and her.”Deep breath. She dashed back to the main room, behind the counter, and stood a moment, gathering as much air as possible and scrambling to think of anything else. She needed to silence her emotion and rise to this occasion. Goofy, silly puppies. Clarissa making ridiculous faces. Her regulars talking so loud in the café she had to ask them to hold it down.

“You need any help?” Leighton asked.

“No. All good.” She turned around, mustering a smile she prayed looked authentic. “So, who proposed? Did you say that part already?” Her brain wasn’t working. And did she honestly want these details? No, but too late now.

---