She shrugged it off, like it was nothing. “Talking to people isn’t that hard.”

“Are you kidding? It is hard, and you make it look easy. The other night I overheard Noah telling Meg to make sure you get on the board of his Veterans and service dog charity because he’s positive you can talk people into writing big fat checks.”

She giggled and sipped her scotch again. “I am pretty good at that.”

“See?” I elbowed her gently. “So don’t sell yourself short. You’ve got a lot to offer.”

“I’m looking forward to working in the winery,” she said. “I’d love to be good at that. I know I’m not qualified to replace Chloe as the manager, but maybe in the future . . .”

“I can easily see that in your future. Your life here is just getting started, Sylvia. You can do anything you want.”

She looked up at me, and my blood rushed faster. My arm was still touching hers. I dropped my eyes to those sweet cherry-red lips and imagined the taste of scotch on them.

Her chin lifted slightly. I inclined my head and heard her quick inhale.

Then I came to my senses and lifted my glass, finishing my drink in a couple quick swallows. “Should we get started?”

“Oh. Yes. Good idea.” She seemed a little flustered as she set her glass aside.

Removing my coat, I draped it over one arm of the couch before following her through the kitchen and out to the garage. Together we brought in more than a dozen presents, already wrapped and labeled for her children from Santa Claus.

“What’s the big one?” I asked, pointing at a large rectangular box designated for Keaton.

“A telescope,” she said. “Keaton has been dying for one. He’s into astronomy. I think it’s the whole Star Wars thing.”

“Hey, if Star Wars gets kids into astronomy, that’s pretty fucking cool.”

“I’m just hoping I can figure out how to set it up. I’m not too mechanically inclined, and neither is my dad, no matter what he tells you.”

I laughed. “I’d be glad to help. Just let me know.”

When everything was arranged beneath the tree, we stood side by side, looking at it all.