Page 81 of Seale the Deal

I gesture to the bottle of wine. Want some?

Sure.

I hand her a glass. My hands are shaky, and I’m not sure why. Her fingers brush mine as she takes it, and I wish they lingered longer.

It smells amazing in here, she says, looking around, then spotting the plates of food. Is that broccoli?

Don’t get used to it. I smirk. Sit. Eat.

She does, looking at the food with a giant grin.

She slices into the steak and closes her eyes as soon as she takes a bite. A quiet, satisfied moan escapes her mouth. I’m ruined.

Don’t let this go to your head, but nobody grills a steak like you, she says.

I chuckle. I’ll try to stay humble.

We eat. Talk a little about the shop, about my night, about hers. About nothing and everything. There’s an ease between us I’ve never had with a woman. Not even in my one real relationship. Maybe it’s because we both know how this ends. There’s no illusion it will be something more. In a way, it takes the pressure off. Still, hiding my feelings is hard. I know if I’m not careful, I could crack the ease we’ve found wide open. The damage would be irreparable, and I could ruin everything she and Remi have planned.

So, things are going well with Audrey and Beryl, huh? I ask after she finishes a story from her day.

She nods. They are. It’s nice having something that’s mine. I look forward to going there.

I’m glad you’ve found something to keep you busy, I say. I’m sure it’s hard not being able to work.

She shrugs. You get used to it after a year of unemployment. But it’s nice to feel useful again, and I’m really enjoying it. I’d love to be able to approach the school and look through all their costumes and fix them up. She bites her lower lip and looks into her glass of wine. Or even do a few classes on mending. There’s not a lot of shopping options here outside of online purchases, which can be risky for sizing and quality. I’m sure people would love to know how to fix things like zippers and buttons. How to pick the right needles.

Hearing her talk about future plans and ideas for this town fills me in a way I know it shouldn’t. She has this spark in her eye, like this could really be something for her.

You okay? Wrenley asks. You look kind of lost in thought.

I chuckle softly. I am a little. I was thinking it would be nice to get away this weekend. Go up to Anchorage.

Wrenley tilts her head. Just the two of us?

Suddenly, I’m a little grateful Remi is coming. Now that I’m in the moment, I’m wondering how I would’ve sold going up to Anchorage with Wrenley alone to her.

Remi’s coming.

Wrenley’s face brightens. That sounds like so much fun.

Maybe Remi and I could pick you up from the shop on Friday, I suggest. We can head out from there.

Wrenley nods. Yeah, sure.

We’d get in a little late, but I could pack some food for dinner on the road.

Sounds good.

Great.

And then the conversation just ends, and we’re left staring at each other. Neither of us seems in a rush to leave, but it also feels weird just staying here. Looking at her beautiful face does nothing to help me figure out what is happening between us.

Do you want to finish that documentary? I hike my thumb over my shoulder to the living room.

Sure.

Her smile is small, and I wonder if she’s nervous too. Or maybe I’m imagining things.