“Yeah, hooked.” They shared a smile, and he refocused on the road. If he wasn’t careful, the oil might not be the only thing he became hooked on. For the remainder of the drive, they discussed other potential ways to use the oil. When they arrived at the train station, Gabriel parked, then came around to help Serenity.

“How long is the tour?”

“Three hours. I chose one that serves lunch on the way up and makes a stop at a winery for a seated tasting. Dessert is served on the return train ride. I hope that’s okay.” It had been quite a while since he’d made plans for a date, and he had never done anything as elaborate as this. Everything from their dinner reservations later and the hotel room to another lunch and wine tasting tomorrow had already been booked.

“Sounds good. I kind of like being able to take my time at the winery.”

Gabriel placed his hand on the small of her back and guided her over to check in. Once that task was completed, they still had half an hour to kill. He spotted a bench in a shaded area for them to sit. The weather had hovered near eighty degrees all week, but today’s forecast predicted it to be somewhere around ninety. If the warm early temperatures were any indication, it would hit that mark easily.

“Have you ever done something like this before?” Serenity asked.

“No, but I’ve done a couple of food tours.” She chuckled, and he said, “Hey, I told you I was sort of a foodie.”

She bumped his shoulder playfully. “Yeah, you did. I guess I could be considered the same, since I love cooking and trying out new recipes.” They lapsed into a brief silence. “You booked the hotel room already?”

Gabriel studied her, seeing a hint of uncertainty. “Yes. I didn’t want to assume anything, so I got two rooms.” She visibly relaxed, and he was glad he’d spent the extra money. He would be lying if he said he didn’t want to make love to her. He did. Badly. But he’d let her set the pace, and if it didn’t happen, he was sure he would enjoy being with her all the same. “This weekend is for you, Serenity. Whatever happens—or not—will be totally up to you. I just want you to have a good time.”

“Thanks, Gabriel.”