She finished applying cream to her face and touched her fingers to the two tiny pinprick marks on her neck. She had no idea how Byron could do that. It was the strangest thing. She started to brush her hair a little more aggressively than normal.

“I mean, who needs to take care of banking business at ten thirty at night, after spending the most romantic evening with her girlfriend?” Amelia spoke to the mirror as if she was having a conversation with herself. “But am I her girlfriend?”

They had been together for six months, but never talked about commitment. They’d never even discussed being exclusive with each other. Amelia had just assumed.

Her mind started to whirl thinking of all the long business trips. Byron was so polite and noble that she never even questioned that side of things, but maybe she should have.

Was life always going to be like this? Running away to take care of business at all times of the day or night? Amelia always got the impression that a part of Byron’s mind or attention was somewhere else.

Before she got a chance to think any more about that, there was a knock at the door. She opened the door to find Byron standing with a bottle of champagne, two glasses, and a single red rose.

Amelia’s heart immediately wanted to forgive Byron, but she had to make her point. “Can I help you? I assume some big company has collapsed, or the financial markets have melted or something? Must be, to make you run from my arms on such a romantic evening.”

“May I come in?” Byron said. “I’d like to explain, and beg your forgiveness, Miss Honey.”

Amelia turned around and walked into the centre of the room, and crossed her arms defensively. Byron followed her in and put her things on the coffee table.

“I know I ran out on you, and I’m truly sorry. I suddenly remembered I had to return a signed contract to our American office.”

She wasn’t sure if she quite believed that. There was something strange about Byron’s behaviour. Amelia watched Byron uncork and pour out the champagne, and noticed a slight tremor to her hands.

“Are you all right, Byron?”

“Me? I’m in perfect health, just anxious for your forgiveness.” She brought over a glass for Amelia and held the bottle in her hand. “Would you take a sip and tell me what you think?”

Amelia couldn’t help but show her annoyance with a sigh, and said, “Fine.”

She took a sip and the bubbles and the flavour exploded on her tongue. It did taste really good, but then all Byron’s wines and whiskeys were the best you could buy.

“Well?” Byron asked.

“It’s really nice, but what’s so special about it?”

Byron smiled and held up the bottle to her. “Everything.”

Amelia scanned the label, not quite sure what she was looking for, and then she saw it. “That’s the year of my birth. You opened one—just for me?”