Page 60 of Remember Me

“Well, since it’s a holiday and she has the day off from school, I thought we could go on a road trip.”

“Where?”

“Apple picking in Oak Glen.”

“Where’s that?”

“Not far from Palm Springs. The orchards offer a lot of fun things to do with kids plus it’ll tie in nicely with the unit we’re doing on food and nutrition.”

Finn’s face brightens. “That sounds awesome.” Reaching for the bottle, he pours me more wine. I take another sip.

“This is really nice.”

“It reminds me of you.”

My brows shoot up. “Really? How?”

“It’s earthy, expressive, and complex.”

I let out a little laugh. “You sound like a wine connoisseur. One of those people who writes reviews inWine Spectator.”

“Describing fine wine is a lot like describing fine art. Or a fine woman.”

“What do you mean?”

“You have to put your five senses into it. Extrapolate the experience.”

“Well, I guess I’ll never be an art or wine critic. I lack the vocabulary.”

We drink more of the Merlot over a short stretch of silence. Setting his glass down, Finn’s eyes stay on me.

“Thanks for taking care of Maddie today on such short notice.”

“Of course. We had a great time. It was fun to do things with her other than schoolwork.”

“She really seems to like you.”

“The feeling is mutual. I’m really fond of her. She’s very special.”

“She is.”

Silently, we intake more of the wine. While my glass is not depleted, Finn pours more into each of our goblets. I’m feeling the effects of the alcohol. More relaxed. My guard down.

“Were you ever married?” he asks.

Even in my loosened up state, his out of the blue question throws me for a loop. My skin bristles. I hesitate before answering, my voice small and tentative.

“Yes.”

A brow lifts. “You’re divorced?”

“No.”

“Separated?”

How do I answer that when at last we’re re-united? My vocal cords knot. “Sort of.”

“He left you?”