“Against her will?”

“No. It wasn’t like that. But it was kind of . . . sudden. And even though we both wanted it, we know it’s too soon. She said she’s still healing, and she knows I am as well.”

“She sounds very smart and self-aware.”

“She is.” I frowned. “But it’s not her self-awareness I want to fuck.”

Lucas laughed, and I set my glass on the coffee table to bury my face in my hands. “God, I’m such an asshole. Tell me to leave this poor woman alone.”

“I can, but I don’t think you need me to. You’re not an asshole, Henry. You’re a guy who’s been really unhappy for a long time, and you’re lonely and angry and frustrated, but you’re not an asshole. You’d never do anything to hurt her.”

“I know, but . . .” I sat back again in defeat. “It just really sucks that assholes like her ex-husband get everything handed to them—the perfect wife, awesome kids, dream life—and they can just abandon it and start again. It’s so easy for them.”

“Because they’re narcissists. And they don’t care about anyone but themselves. She deserves better, Henry.”

“Yeah.” I grabbed my glass and took a drink.

“But she also deserves the time she needs to figure out who she is now and what she wants—and so do you. I think it’s smart to go slow in this situation. Be cautious. Maybe don’t put yourself in situations where you’re going to be tempted to do what you did last night.”

“Yeah.” I rubbed my chin. “She wants to work in the winery. She asked me to teach her.”

Without saying anything, Lucas leaned over and poured a little more scotch in my glass. “Fortitude, my friend.”

I lifted my glass. “Here’s hoping I have some.”

9. Sylvia

Nine

Sylvia

“So? What happened?” As soon as she got her coat off, April cornered me in Mack and Frannie’s living room, dropping down next to me on the couch.

“We talked,” I said, glancing around to make sure no one else could hear us. It seemed like we were safe. Our parents were helping Mack and Frannie with dinner, and the kids had been charged with setting the table. Chloe was at Oliver’s parents’ place, and Meg was at Noah’s mom’s house.

“I’m going to need more details, please.”

I lifted my shoulders. “He kept trying to apologize, but I told him it wasn’t necessary. He said it wouldn’t happen again, and I agreed that would be best. He stayed on his end of the couch, and I stayed on mine.”

“That’s it?” April looked a little disappointed. “Huh. I brought wine for nothing.”

“Well, what were you expecting to happen?”

“Honestly? More ass-grabbing.”