“Yes, but all good things.” We reached the winery, and she turned toward me. “Thanks for the lesson. Can I do it again sometime?”

“Sure. I’ll be out here for the next three months.”

“I asked Chloe about helping in the tasting room again too. She said the winter months are pretty slow, so she doesn’t necessarily need help with tastings, but she could use the time to train me.”

“That’s a great idea. By the time business picks up again toward spring, I bet you’ll be ready to take over managing completely.”

“You think so?” she asked hopefully.

“Definitely. You’re a perfect fit.”

Her smile lit up her face, and when she spoke, her voice was soft. “Thank you, Henry. For everything.”

“You’re welcome.” I was praying she’d leave quickly before I did something stupid like kiss her. Already I was doubting my sanity for inviting her back again. And yet my next question was, “Can I walk you home?”

“No, that’s okay. I think it’s better if I head back alone.”

“Okay.”

But she didn’t move a muscle in that direction. “I wish more than anything that things were different,” she said.

“Maybe they will be someday.”

Her expression changed to one of concern. “I don’t expect you to wait for me, Henry. In fact, you shouldn’t. I’ll feel worse.”

“Goodnight, Sylvia.”

For a second, she looked like she might argue the point, but she didn’t. “Goodnight.”

I watched her turn around and walk toward the house until I couldn’t see her anymore, my hand gripping the shears like a vise, my jaw clenched tight, my legs aching to run after her.

But for what? She’d made her position clear, and I couldn’t argue with it. Nothing I said or did was going to change the fact that she couldn’t choose me, and I’d never ask her to.

Every time I thought about all the days and nights her dumb fuck of an ex had her and neglected or betrayed her, I wanted to go back in time and fucking punch his smug face at Mack’s wedding, maybe even flip the table first.

It wasn’t fair that an asshole like that won her heart, and I never even had a chance.

Would I ever?

* * *

Sylvia came to the winery almost every day, even if it was just for a few hours at a time. Sometimes she spent the time with me in the vineyard, or if we got too cold outside we’d go down to the cellar, where I’d teach her about the aging and blending processes. She also spent a good amount of time in the tasting room, where Chloe would coach her in tasting.