Drunk on Love(63)

She texted back, but not for thirty agonizing minutes.

    MARGOT

Who’s this, again?



You forgot your belt



He shook his head and grinned.

    LUKE

You’re cruel, do you know that?



He wished he was at the winery, where she was just a few steps away, where at any point during the day, he’d be able to see her, talk to her. Instead of here at the inn, where he was fielding calls to the front desk asking for extra towels or more toilet paper or directions to restaurants or whether it was true that harvest wasn’t until the fall.

But if he were at the winery, and not here, last night never would have happened. And tonight wouldn’t be happening, either.

He answered the next call with a much bigger smile on his face.

And then, at lunchtime, it hit him.

He had to figure out what to do with Margot tonight.

This was their first date, after two nights and many days spent together and one long, intense, excellent car ride. And he’d said that thing this morning, kind of impulsively, that he wanted to see if this was something. And it was true, he did, but if he’d thought about that more, he probably wouldn’t have said it.

But then, she’d said she did, too. Maybe his impulse was correct.

He’d known how to do first dates before. Back in his old job. He met women on apps, almost exclusively; he suggested one of, like, five bars, though occasionally they suggested somewhere else; he would drink a beer or two; if it went well, they’d order food; if it went very well, he’d end up in bed with them a few hours later. Like he had with Margot, that first night, but also, completely different. Everything with Margot was different. She just . . . had a way about her. Something that drew him to her, right away. And, unbelievably, she seemed to be drawn to him, too.

But what was he going to do for a first date with her tonight? He now knew a handful of bars in their neighborhood, none of which felt right for this, and he definitely couldn’t take her back to the Barrel. And he knew Margot well enough now to know that she had very particular tastes, so he didn’t want to just pick a restaurant without consulting her. Nor did he want to just leave it up to her, which would be far easier, but then she’d think he didn’t care about tonight, and he didn’t want her to think that.

Avery would know where he should go. But this time he should probably check with Margot before telling her anything about them.

Wait. He had an idea. He pulled out his phone.

    LUKE

1) Long story but I’m filling in for my mom at the inn for the next few weeks—she’s fine, but she got in a car accident and broke her wrist and can’t drive for a while 2) I don’t want to bother her with this or she’ll think the place is falling down without her but one of the guests wants to know a good place for a romantic dinner tonight that might still have reservations? Good food is important, he says. Help me not send this guy to a tourist trap!



Avery texted him back a few minutes later.

    AVERY

1) I’m going to kill you for not telling me your mom got in a car accident. Just for that, I shouldn’t answer this 2) But because I’m incredible, I will: for romance and good food, I’d go with Verdant, Yard and Vine, or Zuzu. Oh, or maybe Carina



Thank goodness for Avery.

    LUKE

You’re the best. And I know I know, I’m sorry. She didn’t tell me until the next day either, if it makes you feel any better



Two of her options had openings. He made reservations at both, then texted Margot.

    LUKE

For tonight: Yard and Vine at 6, or Verdant at 8? Neither is also a perfectly fine answer if you’re in the mood for something else



He thought of how he’d woken up that morning, with Margot next to him. When he’d pulled her close, she’d nestled into him with a little sigh. He wished he’d been able to stay longer.

His phone buzzed.

    MARGOT

Verdant at 8 sounds great. That’ll give me time to get home from work. And I’ve been wanting to go to that place



Bless you, Avery.

    LUKE

Perfect. Pick you up at 7:30?



She texted back right away.

    MARGOT

Sounds great. See you then



He knocked on her door at exactly seven thirty that night. She laughed as she opened it, her jacket in her hand.

“It’s good I know that you’re terminally punctual; otherwise, I would be alarmed that you’re already here, and I also would be at least five minutes from being ready. Luckily, I remembered.”

He smiled down at her. She was wearing a clingy emerald green cotton sundress, and her hair cascaded over her shoulders. She seemed lit from within, with the way she smiled and laughed at him.

“You look incredible,” was all he said. That didn’t feel like what he meant, but then he wasn’t exactly sure he knew how to say what he meant.

She looked suddenly almost shy. He never would have thought to describe Margot Noble as shy, but it was true.

“Thank you.” She picked up her bag and slid on sandals. “Shall we go?”