Serendipity and Wine

One thing you could always count on, is that I am always late. No matter the place, appointment or activity. It’s my constant in life, and one of those things that just...exist. I have 15 minutes to get to the bar before the book signing starts. It’s a 25-minute walk. I could make it there without breaking a sweat. Maybe this will be one of the times where being late isn’t a thing. Maybe.

I fluff my curls out for a more voluminous look as I check myself out in the mirror one last time. I give my reflection a wink before walking out. The weather outside is warm. Perfect for a day at the lake with a great book. I look down at the pink cotton material accentuating my curves and smoothen out the nonexistent wrinkles. “Get it together. You have no reason to be nervous.” I try to tell myself, but honestly, I don’t know what I’m doing. You’re meeting Angela Ross, a blogger who happened to write a book that you love. No big deal. Yeah, it wouldn’t be a big deal if I hadn’t asked her to have a drink with me afterwards and if she didn’t say yes. Totally unexpected and prompted by a night of sailor drinking. Impulsive? Maybe but, life is short and you already own two cats. Halfway to becoming a cat lady.

I have the slightest clue to what she looks like. Her secret identity seem to have helped her career take off. Pretty damn awesome if you ask me. Meanwhile, I’m sure she could find me on most social media platforms.

My body buzzes with excitement as I cross the street to the bar. I check my watch and, what do you know, I made it on time-ish. Kudos to the girl whose NEVER on time. I assess myself again before going inside, my eyes roaming over the pink summer dress hugging my curves in all the right places, paired with white Air forces, low top. Just in case I need to make a run for it. Now, that’s what I call smart fashion. I giggle at myself, “here goes nothing.” I swing the door open and head inside.

Immediately, I’m enveloped in happy chatter, clinking of glasses and laughter. The atmosphere is warm and inviting. It slightly ease my nerves.

The bar is pretty packed. I didn’t realize she had so many fans. It was very spacious, with enough lighting to see everyone’s face but dim enough to create an intimate setting. The air was filled with anticipation and a hint of curiosity. I noticed the song “Wrong Speed” by Siaira Shawn playing lightly in the background, blending in with the different conversations.

I made my way to the bar, seamlessly sliding through the gaps of bodies and sat in the corner of the bar. I have a clear view of the stage and the entrance.

“What can I get you?” The bartender asks, as his eyes linger on my lips.

“I would like a glass of Bright Cellars’ Watchkeeper please.” I gave him a smirk and returned my gaze to the gathering of people. I wonder if she’s here. My eyes drift over the crowd until it landed on a woman that had just walked in. Beautiful. Her hair was styled in a short curly cut, black. It framed her face nicely. Full lips, no makeup, she didn’t need it. She had the most inviting curves that made you want to drive your hands along the coast of them to see where they ended up. Her clothes were casual, but she looked amazing in them. A black button up shirt with a few loose buttons and light blue jeans with black loafers. She looks vaguely familiar. She glances my way and we lock eyes. My body starts to tingle and I feel like I’m being sucked into a blackhole, a trance. A conversation held only between our eyes. I touched my face, surely, I was drooling. She smiles at me as if she knows something I didn’t. I so wanted to know.

“Here’s your drink” the bartender chimes in as he place my Merlot in front of me. Welcoming the interruption, “thanks. Do you know if the author has already arrived?”

“They’re running behind schedule, it doesn’t start for another 20 minutes. Would you like anything else?” He asks before moving on to the next patron.

“No, but I know where to find you when I’m ready”, I say with a smile. I guess I wasn’t the only one running late. That made me feel better.

I sat back, reaching for my glass. The scent of vanilla, raspberry and baking spices consumed my senses, inviting me to inhale deeply and I obliged. I close my eyes to savor the smell before taking my first sip. Warm liquid slid over my tongue whispering hints of depth as it settled in my belly creating a warm sensation. I open my eyes, satisfied with my choice of wine.

"Harley Jacobson”, a smooth voice rolls over my shoulders and up to my ears, knocking me out of my wine induced trance.

I look up and notice the woman I was gawking at just moments ago standing right in front of me, staring at me with a ......smirk? Confused and flushed I say, “That’s me. Do I know you?” She smiles at me and at that moment I knew. “Oh my gosh, Andy Ramirez! It’s been what, 15 years? I barely recognize you.” She embraces me and something clicks into place. Like finding a missing puzzle piece. How strange. We finally pull apart after hugging for what felt like hours. I felt a draft as I notice the space between us growing.

She props herself on the stall next to me, “what are you drinking?”

“Uh, I’m drinking a Merlot from Bright Cellars.” I can’t stop the nerves from seeping through my words.

With a fluent wave she calls over the bartender, “I’ll have what she’s having.”

“Are you among the rest of us here, waiting to meet Angela Ross?" Feeling fidgety and needing something to do with my hands, I took another savoring sip of my wine.

“Yeah, you could say that. The energy in the room is pretty awesome. But you, I noticed you when I walked in”, she says with a grin and a hint of something else.

“You know, you haven’t changed one bit. You're still the charming girl from when we were 16.” I smiled, trying to ease the butterflies that somehow found their way into my belly. It’s the wine, girl.

“I like to think I’ve changed, but kept all the good qualities.” There was so much depth behind her words. She glances at me and I realize that I’m staring, again. What’s wrong with you?

“So, you’re a fan huh?” She squeezes out before sampling her wine. “Wow, you made a great choice”, her eyes widen with approval.

I marveled at her compliment before responding, “yes, I guess I am. Have you read Her novel, ‘A Tale Between Eyes’? Enticing shit. I had to meet her once I found out she was in town.”

“I heard good things about it but, I haven’t read it.”

I look at her shocked, “What! You haven’t read it? Then what are you doing here?”

“I’m meeting someone that happens to be here,” She smirks.

That smirk again. The sight of it makes my butterflies flutter. “Oh, is she here?” I ask, unable to disguise my disappointment.

“Yeah, she should be here somewhere. I should try to find her. I’ll see you later?”

“Uh, yeah. No problem. It was so good seeing you. Read the book if you can, you may like it.”

We hugged before she dipped off into the crowd. Why are you disappointed? You’re here for a date with someone else. Shaking off emotions I don’t want to dive through, I returned my gaze to the crowd. My thoughts racing back to the identity of the author. Where is she? Before I could finish my thoughts, a voice draws my attention to the stage.

“Ladies and gentlemen, without further wait, I welcome Angela Ross!”

My eyes immediately found their way to a body crossing the stage and my mouth drops to the floor. I couldn’t believe my eyes. Andy Ramirez IS Angela Ross? I watched her grab the mic still in disbelief. ‘Read the book’ I told her. Shit, she wrote the book....she wrote the book? I couldn’t help but chuckle at myself.

“Thank you, Carlos. Hello everyone, my name is Angela Ross. You guys showed so much love, I had to come and show out for you.” The crowd went crazy and my smile grew bigger.

My eyes were glued to her as she spoke. My mind made feeble attempts to put details that I didn’t have together. She was mesmerizing. Her eyes fell on me and she winked. All I could do was tip my glass to her. Well played Andy, well played. There was so much I wanted, no, needed to know about her. The crowd listened intently as she read an excerpt. All of us captured by her charm. I felt like I was a part of something. Not knowing what that something was didn’t scare me at all (and the unknown always scared me). In fact, I was open to all sorts of ‘somethings’ at the moment.

The event finally came to an end. I watched her every move as she thanked a few people and made her way in my direction, her eyes never leaving mine. Her walk was even graceful. Fuck, I’m drooling again.

“So, you’re the mysterious Angela Ross?”, I couldn’t help blurt out once she was close enough.

She laughs, “yeah, I hope you don’t mind me not telling you. I thought it would be fun to keep that small detail to myself for a bit longer.”

I had so many questions. “Did you know who I was?”

I knew who you were when you emailed me. It wasn’t hard to confirm it from your social media.”

To keep my brain from shutting down, I took another sip of my wine.

“Do, you wanna get out of here? I heard the lake is nice around this time. You could ask me all the questions that are written on your face.”

“you know, that sounds like a great idea. I could use a bit of air.” I try to sound more like myself, “let’s make it happen.”

She closed out the tab and held out her hand, “shall we?”

Throwing caution to the wind, I grabbed her hand, ready to begin this adventure. This should be fun.