I pause, afraid to tell her. But she leans closer to me and her leg presses against mine. I wait, count to five, but she doesn’t pull away.

I begin, “Because Eustace is a horrid, miserable character that no one likes—”

“Rightly so.”

“Rightly so,” I agree. “But then he hits rock bottom and sees how wrong he’s been. He asks forgiveness and he’s given it.” My voice is quiet and I can hear the plea in it, although I don’t know if Jessie can.

“Redemption,” she says. She reaches over and finds my hand, then threads her fingers through mine.

“I’m sorry,” I whisper. I pause for a moment and feel the warmth of her hand in mine.

She squeezes my hand. "What did we talk about after books?”

I shrug even though she can’t see me. “I was twelve. I told you about how hard things were. In my imagining you were very understanding.” I smile even though she can’t see me.

“It’s funny. When I was that age, I’d sit in the oak tree and read and look at your house.”

“Look for Gavin” goes unsaid.

“I’ve come to the conclusion that reality is always better than fantasy,” I say.

She’s silent a moment, then she says, “Hmm. I think you’re right.”

“Should we try the last one?”

“Let’s.”

She keeps her left hand laced in mine and reaches for the chocolate with her other hand. Slowly, she places the truffle against my lips. When I take it, she rubs her thumb across my lower lip and lets her fingers linger there. I close my eyes behind the blindfold and memorize her touch.

She pulls back. The chocolate melts over my tongue and the flavors slowly unfold. I sigh in recognition.

I take the last chocolate from the plate and hold it up for Jessie. When she takes it, I press my second finger against her lips in the replica of a kiss.

“Red wine,” she says.

It’s dark chocolate with a red wine infusion, and the wine is tinted with the flavor of the wine barrel.

“Oak,” I say.

“Oak,” she agrees.

“Friendship,” I say.

“First kiss,” she whispers.

“First kiss,” I agree.

“Wanting and wishing,” she continues. “A lifetime’s worth of wanting and wishing.”

I stiffen and slowly pull my hand from hers. We’ve been wanting and wishing for two different things. I take the scarf from my eyes and blink at the bright light. Jessie pulls the scarf off and blinks at me. Her cheeks are pink and her eyes have changed. She isn’t looking at me in the same way.

I push the chair back and stand up.

“I still don’t believe in soul mates,” I say stiffly. “I won’t leave you be. I won’t admit you’re meant for Gavin.”