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Ugh. He was leaving. Worse, they were already well into the second half of the month. Her parents’ wedding was next week. Then it was Christmas, and then Micah would be gone.

He surprised her by taking her hand in his and lacing their fingers together. “I’ll be gone three days, and then I’ll be back.”

She tried to smile. “Oh, I don’t know. You might land in LA and realize what you’ve been missing all this time.”

“I know what I’ll be missing, and it’s not anything in Southern California.”

Ah, what? Did he mean he would miss her? Was there a way to ask without risking having him laugh in her face?

“They grow avocados in Southern California, so at least you’ll have that,” she said instead.

He laughed, then leaned in and lightly kissed her. “Yes, they do. I’ll bring you some.”

“That would be very sweet.”

“Anything else you want from the city?”

“Just you.”

The words fell out before she could stop them, and then they just hung there, big and alive and un-call-back-able.

Oh, no, oh, no, oh, no. How was she supposed to explain that?

“I, ah, um, meant to say,” she began, only to have him shake his head.

“Don’t take it back. Please.”

His blue gaze was steady, his expression intense. Her heart fluttered a few times as she tried to keep up with the conversation.

“Your parents are renewing their vows next week,” he said.

The change in topic was both a relief and a little disappointing. “They are.”

“Are you taking anyone to the wedding?”

“You mean like a date? No.”

“Would you like to take me?”

She would have squealed, but as he asked the question, he began brushing his thumb across the back of her hand. It was nothing, really, or it should have been nothing. He probably wasn’t even aware of the movement. It wasn’t his fault that her entire body went on alert.

“If you’d like to go,” she said, grateful she didn’t stutter.

“I would.”

“It’s up at the resort. I’ll have to get there early, so I’ll text you the time.” OMG! She was going on a date with Micah! “Oh, unless you get busy in LA.”

“I’ll be back for the wedding. I promise. Are you going to watch the show?”

She laughed. “Is that a serious question? Of course I am. I’ve never seen you perform, and I want to hear the song. You said I inspired it.”

“You did.” One corner of his mouth turned up. “Now, you have to be gentle. I’m no Dolly Parton.”

“I think we’ve already established that.”

But instead of laughing, he got serious. “I’m going to miss you.”

Okay, this whole Snacks and Wine evening had been filled with unexpected twists and turns.