AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Well. . . no Erik talk today. I can’t distract you from him if we’re talking about him and his stupid toothbrush.”
“Fall Festivities.” I pushed Erik from my thoughts. “Gian had the idea to work with Grado Valley Vineyards on a cross-promotion. They’re leaning into the town’s ‘Fall into the Finger Lakes’ promotion and thought maybe we could piggyback on it.”
“Oh, that’s right. I forgot you had that meeting with Gian. We didn’t even talk about it yesterday.”
“My fault,” I said.
“Oh no, not at all. First of all, we don’t have to talk about work twenty-four seven. And like we told you yesterday, give yourself some grace. It’s a fresh breakup, so you’re allowed to wallow. At least a little bit. Ready for the red?”
I was about to tell Charlee that I appreciated her friendship but stopped myself. I could be a sap sometimes and didn’t want to make her uncomfortable. Although I was pretty proficient at making friends, having had to do it enough growing up, she and Natalie had truly been my saving grace when I came to Kitchi Falls last year not knowing a soul.
“Yep.”
As we sipped, Nate’s phrase popped into my head.
Sometimes you win. Sometimes you learn.
I couldn’t agree more. And yet, I’d totally fallen apart since the second Erik and I split. Maybe I just needed to look at our breakup as a learning opportunity. The lesson?
Love sucked.
“What do you know about Lucas’s partner? Nate?”
Charlee replaced her wine glass. “Let’s see. I know he’s from New York. Somewhere in the western part of the state.”
“Monticello.”
Charlee’s brows drew together. “How do you know that?”
“We texted for a bit earlier. Just before I came here.”
“Oh, good. I’m glad you connected, and he was able to thank you for the card.”
“We did. He’s actually. . . really easy to talk to. What else do you know? He doesn’t have any social media.”
“He doesn’t. Lucas said he’s a pretty private guy.”
I snorted. “I don’t know the meaning of the word.”
“You don’t,” Charlee agreed. “If there were a picture for the phrase ‘open book’ it’d be yours.”
I picked up the last wine. “Guilty as charged.”
“And I’m not saying that like it’s a bad thing at all.”
“Debatable,” I said.
“Which is funny because. . .” Charlee shook her head.
“What?”
“Nothing.”
“Tell me.”
“I was just gonna say. . .for someone who puts it all out there, you don’t let others in easily.”
That took me by surprise. “I don’t?”
