Wine?

Beth excitedly typed the message into her phone.

“I would love to try that new running path Downtown.”

His response was immediate: “Great! Meet you at the Nature Center parking lot at 6.”

Beth knew he was in decent shape; she usually saw him on the treadmill at the gym on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Plus, if it went badly, at least she’d get in a few more miles to go with the 10 she ran that morning.

He didn’t seem to be in her kind of shape, so she was hoping they’d be slow miles. She was exhausted, feeling the effects of multiple 90-mile weeks training for her second ultra-marathon of the year, but knew she couldn’t slack off with the race being so close.

-----

“Hey, over here!”

Beth had been driving up and down rows for 10 minutes before finding a parking spot in the crowded lot. She had just locked her car door when she heard a male’s voice call out from the line of vehicles parked across from her.

“Hi! Have you been here long?” she said, walking up to him as he stood next to his pick-up truck.

“Not really. I wanted to stretch a little in case you decide to throw down some sub-10 minute miles.”

Beth smiled.

He thinks sub 10s are something. I averaged 7:20 per mile in a marathon a month ago.

“I was hoping we could just take it easy, you know, so we can talk as we run.”

“You’ve got it. Just let me grab something.”

He turned and reached into the truck bed, lifted a small cardboard box up and over the side, then swung back around toward her.

“Okay, all set!”

“You are going to run with that? What’s inside?”

“Hydration.”

“Most people just carry a bottle of water or sports drink, but whatever.”

-----

The entrance to the multi-use trail was at the end of the parking lot. As they walked toward it, Beth could see people sitting in their cars doing a double-take as they eyed the box. She wasn’t concerned, but was definitely curious. Okay, this is weird.

“So, running is pretty important to you, huh?” he asked, tucking the box under his arm as they began jogging along the paved pathway.

“Well, I am not an elite or anything, but I do have some goals I want to achieve. I thought going for a run together would be a good way to see if you were cool with it.”

“Sure, I love to run. I try to get in two miles at least three days a week.”

Must be the three days I see him on the treadmill. That’s six miles a week. Cute.

“I’m totally fine with what you have going. I just hope you are okay with what I do.”

Beth realized she had no idea what he did for a living.

“What’s that?”

“I’m a sommelier.”

“You mean like in gymnastics?”

“Ha! Did you think I said ‘somersaulter’? I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to laugh. No, a sommelier, I’m in charge of the wine at the Capital Club.”

“Oh my gosh! Yes, wine! I love wine! My girlfriends and I used to drink it in college, Lambrusco, mostly.”

“Wow, so sophisticated! Did you sneak it into your dorm from Target?”

“As a matter of fact, we did. It was the only place that didn’t card us.”

“That’s funny! Do you still drink it? Wine, I mean, not necessarily the finest from Tar-Jez.”

“Some, although not much during training. However, I wouldn’t mind some right now to overcome the embarrassment I’m feeling after thinking you said somersault.”

“Well then, allow me.”

“What?”

He stopped running, gently reached out and grabbed her elbow, and directed her to sit down on a nearby park bench next to the path. He sat down next to her and placed the box between them.

“Close your eyes.”

She heard the cardboard box flap flip open.

“What are you doing?”

“Keep them closed.”

“Alright.”

“Okay, open them.”

As she did, she saw him holding a bottle of wine.

“Would you like a glass of Merlot?”

“Wine? Why not? Gatorade might be more appropriate, but you did promise me a memorable first date.”