Addison had never been so conscious of the staffs’ existence. She wanted to continue the conversation, to say the things she practiced in her head a hundred times that day, but Sally seemed to be moving in slow motion. Finally, Addison heard the door swing closed behind her, and after taking a generous taste of her wine, she looked over at Joanna. “I just...I just want to let you know that I’m...I’m sorry. What happened last night...well, I don’t know what it was, but...but if I hurt you...if I hurt you in any way, I didn’t mean to, and I’m...and I’m truly sorry.”

A few minutes earlier, Joanna was surprised that the paintings around the room hadn’t tilted due to the pounding of her heart, but as soon as Addison spoke, Joanna’s nervousness disappeared. There was a slight waver in Addison’s tone, and it was as endearing as it was enlightening. The woman was obviously on edge, but while Addison’s confidence had apparently tanked, Joanna’s had just begun to soar.

“You didn’t. Well, not really,” Joanna said with a shrug.

Addison could feel her cheeks begin to burn. “Oh, Christ. I-I-I don’t know...I don’t know what to say.”

“There’s a first,” Joanna said, grinning as she tasted her wine.

“I’m so sorry—”

“Stop apologizing, Addison. Nothing happened, I didn’t want to happen.”

Addison had been reaching for her wine, but Joanna’s admission froze her in place. “Are you...are you sure?”

“Did I tell you to stop?”

All the air left Addison’s body. “Honestly, I don’t remember,” she whispered.

“I’m that forgettable, eh?”

“No,” Addison said, slightly louder than she intended. “No, that’s...that’s not what I meant.”

Joanna smiled as she picked up her fork and dove into her appetizer. “Good to know, Addison. Now eat. It’s getting cold.”

While conversation was lacking through dinner, by the time the last bite of the veal cutlets drizzled in sage butter had been consumed, both women could pick up their Pinot Noir without the liquid rippling in the goblets.

Addison leaned back, and making no attempt to hide it, she gazed at Joanna and continued to do so even after Joanna’s eyes met hers.

Joanna prided herself on having good eyesight, but Addison’s expression was unreadable. “What?” Joanna said just before taking a sip of her wine.

“I...I...” Addison stopped and shook her head. “I still don’t know what to say.”

“Well, at least now I know how to shut you up.”

Addison smiled, and for the first time that day, breathing came easily.

Joanna’s expression mirrored Addison’s, and thinking for a moment, she said, “So...how was your day?”

“Long,” Addison said, letting out a sigh.

“Yeah? Mine too.”