A Man for All Seasons by Heather MacAllister Page B

sounded.
    â€œWe will,” Marlie said with a look over her shoulder that unnerved him. “Don’t wait up.”
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    â€œW HAT’S THE DEAL with you and the guy you live with?” Jason asked after they’d ordered.
    Actually Jason had ordered, or rather strongly suggested,the dishes that would work best with the wines he’d selected. Marlie didn’t mind. She didn’t know that much about wines and this was a good opportunity to learn.
    â€œOur parents are friends,” she answered. “And we saw each other a lot growing up.”
    â€œAnd you never…?” He raised his brows.
    Marlie shook her head. “He’s only renting a room from me until his house is finished.”
    â€œOh, okay. ’Cause I thought I sensed a little something going on there.”
    Maybe her wishful thinking. “No,” Marlie said. “I’m free and clear.”
    Jason leaned forward and gave her a sleepy-eyed look. “Now, why is that?”
    I’d forgotten about flirting. Marlie leaned forward, too, and watched Jason’s sleepy eyes dip to her neckline. “Broken engagement. Buried myself in work.”
    â€œWell, tonight, you’re going to eat, drink, and be Marlie!” He grinned. “Did you catch what I did there?”
    â€œYes. When is the wine coming?” Marlie asked, thinking he might have sounded funnier if she’d already had a glass.
    â€œRight now.”
    And, indeed, a waiter was bringing out an ice bucket.
    Good timing, Marlie thought, wondering when Jason was going to live up to the promise of his picture.
    Jason waved the wine steward away. “I asked for the wine to be chilled to the proper temperature. We don’t want it blooming too quickly.”
    Marlie didn’t know wine bloomed.
    Another server brought a plate of pâté and a bread tray from which Marlie was to choose. She indicated an herbed bread, but Jason shook his head. “She doesn’t want that one.”
    â€œYes, she does,” Marlie said.
    â€œIt’ll interfere with the wine. We’ll have unsalted crackers.”
    Marlie sniffed the tantalizing scent of rosemary and garlic as the bread basket was whisked away. “The wine had better be worth it, because that bread was still warm.”
    Jason poured himself a tiny bit of wine. “That’s so refreshing that you eat bread.” He stuck his nose into his glass.
    â€œWarm and crusty herb bread is worth eating.” Marlie watched the retreating waiter because she didn’t want to watch Jason. “Unsalted crackers, not so much.”
    Jason took a sip and held it in his mouth before swallowing. “With a wine this playful, you’ll forget all about the bread.”
    There was something off about that sentence, but Jason was now filling her glass and she didn’t want to distract him by asking what he meant. Gratefully, she took a large sip.
    â€œNo!”
    Marlie jumped and splashed her hand.
    â€œYou don’t chug it!” Jason lowered his voice. “You savor it.”
    â€œI was savoring it. I savor quickly.” Marlie dabbed at her hand.
    â€œBut you must roll the wine over your tongue so that the sweet, salty, and bitter taste sensors have time to detect the flavors. And then you experience the finish. So many people crowd the finish because they’re already drinking again.”
    Marlie stared at the half-glass remaining of her slightly sour white wine. She was ready to experience a finish right now and it wasn’t the wine’s. She dutifully sampled the wine as instructed—still slightly sour—and told herself to give the date more than thirty minutes before writing Jason off. She was rusty and he was making an effort and giving up his time and money for charity. She needed to hold up her end. “So you’re a fireman.”
    â€œIt’s a good thing, too. If you were any hotter, you’d burstinto