That led to a discussion about what it had been like to grow up at Cloverleigh, all the changes over the years, and what the future might bring. Chloe and Oliver joined us eventually, and Chloe generously praised Sylvia’s performance in the tasting room the last two days.

“She’s a natural,” Chloe said, clinking her glass to Sylvia’s. “A couple weeks, and she’ll know as much as I do.”

“No way.” Sylvia shook her head. “I have so much to learn. I really want to understand the whole process, from the planting to the harvest to the aging. I feel like what I’m describing to guests will make so much more sense. It’s like what you were saying, Henry.” She looked at me, leaning in my direction. “What people taste here is totally unique to our vineyard, to the way we make wine. And what they’re tasting this year will be different than what they might taste next year, because every vintage tells a different story. I want to make them come back year after year to learn a new story.”

Chloe laughed. “Sounds like someone has been reading the gospel of Henry DeSantis.”

“Hey, she asked,” I said, putting one palm up. “I didn’t force it on her.”

“No, I love it,” Sylvia gushed, putting her hand on my fucking thigh. “I find it fascinating.”

“I’m sure.” The smirk on Chloe’s face, paired with the look she exchanged with Frannie, told me we were not fooling the Sawyer sisters. Only Meg seemed a little clueless, but then, she and Noah were pretty wrapped up in each other.

My first drink went down easy and fast, so I had another. The whiskey eased my nerves and relaxed the tension in my shoulders, but it did nothing to take the edge off the desire I felt for the woman next to me. During dinner, I laughed and talked with everyone at the table, but every time she looked in my direction or gave me a smile or put a hand on my leg, I felt like I was coming out of my skin.

After dessert, the band switched from big band dinner music to more upbeat oldies, and people swarmed the dance floor. After some coaxing, Mack agreed to dance with Frannie but slammed the rest of his beer first. Chloe convinced Oliver to get out there too, but Noah said there was no way in hell he was dancing until his current beer was empty, so Sylvia and I sat talking to them for a while.

I’m not sure when I put my arm around the back of Sylvia’s chair, but I suddenly realized it was there when I noticed Meg staring at it. If I hadn’t been halfway through my third whiskey, I might have removed it.