wine rack.
“How did you know what I liked to drink?” She ran her hand over a bottle of Pinot Noir.
“I bought what I love.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
“Okay.” She opened the fridge.
“I did not get everything, but at least it is not empty.”
“Not empty at all.” She turned toward me. “Are you showing this off so I pay you for half or because it’s all yours and I can’t touch it?”
“Neither. Consider it a peace offering for the way I barged in last night.”
“You mean the way you broke in?” She rested a hand on the counter top.
“Same thing.” I put my hands in the pockets of my jeans. I only wore these clothes when I was in Charleston. The comfortable cotton of Energo stood out.
“Do you have any more plans tonight?”
“I need to do some work for Charlotte, but nothing else. What about you?”
“I work a shift tomorrow, but that’s it.”
“You work a lot.” At least that is how it appeared to me.
“I do.” She leaned back against the counter. “It’s money, and it’s not like I have many better things to do.”
“What would you like to do with the rest of the evening?”
“It is already ten-thirty.”
“So? Is that late for you?”
“Not so late I need to go to bed, but late enough we can’t do much else.”
“Then how about we open a bottle of wine and sit out on the third floor porch? The one that faces the water.”
“Sit outside? It’s fifty degrees out.”
“I thought I saw a portable fireplace up there. Am I wrong?” I gestured toward the stairs.
“There is one. I’ve never used it though.”
“I can light that, and you can bring out a quilt if you would like.”
“You really like the outdoors, or fresh air, or something.”
“You don’t?” I doubted I would find myself attracted to that kind of girl.
“I do. I don’t love the cold though. I’ve got southern blood.”
“It’s all about what you are used to.”
“And I’m very used to warm weather, although sitting outside and listening to the water sounds nice. It’s soothing.”
“Perfect, and I bet a fire and a warm quilt will take care of the cold.”
“And wine. Red wine always warms me up.”
“See?” I grabbed the bottle of Pinot she had been eyeing. I opened a few cabinets until I found the wine glasses. “You will be fine.”
“The opener is in the drawer behind you.” She pointed.
“Thanks.” I dug it out of the drawer and made quick work opening the bottle.
“I’ll get the quilt.” She hurried upstairs.
“I will start on the fire.” I walked upstairs with the opened bottle of wine and two glasses. I went right out on the porch and set everything down so I could get to work on the fire. If I wanted Ainsley to enjoy herself, I was going to have to do a good job of keeping her warm. I did not mind that job at all.
“That was fast.” She walked out onto the porch wearing her third outfit of the evening. She was in some sort of sweatpants and a sweatshirt. She carried a heavy quilt.
“Changing in my honor?”
She laughed. “Yeah, I usually try to impress guys by putting on sweats.”
“It is cute.” I hoped cute was still the right word. I had spent weeks learning the current terminology when I first came to Charleston, but it had been a long time since I had held a conversation where I actually cared if someone liked what I was saying.
“That was the right answer.”
“Hmm?”
“You looked pensive, like you were trying to figure out if you said the wrong thing. A girl doesn’t mind if a guy says she looks cute in sweats.”
I smiled. “Good.”
I poured two generous glasses of wine and sat down next to her on the love seat. She seemed surprised that I chose that seat. I picked up an end of the quilt and covered myself with it.
“I thought it wasn’t cold?”
“It’s not.”
“Then why are you using the blanket?” She pulled the quilt up higher.
“Why do you think?” I smiled.
She turned away.
“Please don’t look away. I only asked a question. There is no need to be embarrassed.”
“It’s a habit.”
“Habits can be broken.”
“That takes time.”
“Then let’s start now. Why do you think I am sharing your quilt?”
“Why are you pushing me?”
“Because I would like us to be comfortable together. I can stop if you want.”
“It’s okay… I’m trying to figure you out. You did it because you want to be close to me.”
“Exactly. I want to be close to you.” I scooted closer. She felt exactly