Page 10 of Gone With the Wine

Bianca

It’s my second day in Oak Creek Canyon and it’s girl’s night at the Golden Cougar Bar and Grill. The name is unfortunate, but it’s been around for generations and is named after the actual cougars that inhabit the valley. I’m meeting my two besties from high school, Millie and Ana.

I walk into the bar. “This place hasn’t changed,” I murmur, looking around the rustic room with wood posts and beams and faded signs. It’s packed with people at the long bar and tables. I spot Millie and Ana and head toward them across the scuffed concrete floor, smiling.

“Hiiiii!” They stand up and we exchange a round of hugs and greetings.

“It’s been so long!”

“You look amazing!”

“I can’t believe you’re back!”

Finally, we all take seats on dinged-up metal stools at the high-top table. I settle myself into place, emotion pushing at my ribs from inside, my eyes stinging a bit. “It’s so good to see you.”

They beam back at me. “You, too,” Millie says.

I’ve told myself I didn’t miss anything from home, but the truth is—I did. I’ve missed my friends, these two women I share so much history with. There’s nobody else in the world I have the same relationship with as them. Even my sisters; with Rosa being older, the perfect big sister, and Allegra the baby everyone doted on, as a kid I gravitated to connections outside the family.

“I’m so happy to see you,” I admit honestly, reaching out to squeeze a hand of each of them.

A young guy approaches to take our order.

“Oh, I don’t know what I want,” I say. In the heart of wine country, this place always focused more on beer selections. But I enjoy a beer sometimes and it’s been a while, so…. “I’ll have a Hoppy Ending.”

He nods and Millie and Ana order Baby Got Bocks.

I see the looks I’m getting from people in the bar. I doubt anyone recognizes me; I’ve changed since I lived here. No doubt they’re wondering who the stranger in town is. One of the downsides of small town living that I remember so well.

“I’m sorry about your grandma,” Millie says. “She was so special.”

“Yeah.” I drop my gaze briefly. “It still seems weird that she’s not here.” The vibe has taken a downturn, so I square my shoulders, lift my chin, and smile. “How are wedding plans coming?” I ask Millie.

Which of course reminds me of the astonishing news about Rosa and Jake.

I hear all about Millie’s upcoming wedding and Ana’s job at the local veterinary clinic. I fill them in on my time in Argentina and Tomás, the hot cowboy I was with for a few months while living there.

“Speaking of boyfriends,” Ana says, leaning closer. “Mark Watson is over there.”

I blink. “Oh.” Mark was my high school boyfriend. “I’m not looking.”

Ana laughs. “Okay. But he’s single again! He and Marnie were together for…how long?” She looks at Millie.

“Over a year.”

“Right. They just broke up,” Ana says.

“I’m not here for romance.” I make a face, lifting my beer. “I’m here to help Rosa and figure out what the hell we’re going to do with Caparelli.” And to turn the tables on Uncle Geno, but I don’t mention that.

To be honest, I’m not looking for romance anywhere. After being abandoned by my father (well, he died, but still, I felt abandoned)andmy mother, then passed over by my family, I’m the poster child for abandonment issues and avoidant attachment style. Yes, I’ve been to therapy.

“That doesn’t mean you can’t have a little romance.” Millie lifts her glass.

“Or a little bit of bam bam in the ham,” Ana adds.

Millie and I stare at her then crack up laughing. I almost fall off my stool. “I’m probably only going to be here for a couple of months.”

“Oh.” Their faces fall.

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