27

I thought about every word she’d said.

I processed each one.

And as they resonated, I learned something.

Jo was right.

I didn’t need three nights with my client. I extended the trip to give me more time with her. And as soon as I’d found out about Miami, I’d called her—the hesitation hadn’t lasted for more than a few seconds.

“Jo …”

“I hope you don’t mind, but I brought Bordeaux glasses,” the waitress said, her approach cutting me off, placing the long-stemmed glasses in front of us.

“Not at all,” I voiced. “It’s what I prefer.”

She showed me the bottle, earning herself a nod, and then she began the process of opening the top and pouring a sample.

But the entire time, my eyes were on Jo.

And as soon as the waitress filled our glasses and left, I held mine toward the center of the table. “To more time together.”

Jo smiled. “Interesting … I’ll cheers to that.”

We both took a drink, and she placed her wine on the table, holding the stem between her fingers, twirling the thick rod so the