BETWEEN HELLO AND GOODBYE

e dinner at a Spanish university when you a

s sharing a bathroom with two other people is no joke, especially when

what this thing is that

a vintage din

on. The lighting in our bedroom is terrible and the bathroom isn’t much better, but who am I to c

re to go on? Like, what’s going to b

d be fine. What about that black strapless with the wide white band around the waist? It’

anging it in the clos

’ll try the first round of new vintages. When we finish that, we’ll go inside fo

ct Max considers me more than a simple guest. After I finish my hair and makeup, I slip into the blac

od in the neighb

“Tha

s I don’t recognize. The ivory against h

think I’ve se

it before we left. Thin

ould like you in anythi

ut knows it’s true.

think he

don’t know how you could question it. He’s been here constantly si

t every guy tries to get you in the

’m second-guessing myself

when we walk out. You’ll

x reaction to me is very similar. What the hell am I thinking? It’s a huge mistake f

Max. He’s busy presenting his vintages, but like always, my luck runs

onto the dance floor, mostly because I don’t have a

a pig in shit and I’m happy for her. Her relationship luck hasn’t

. If I had to guess, I’d bet you and I have officia

k to the apartment. “It’s all right. I still have

to disturb you, but we’re having trouble finding your merlot

ou?” “I’m Tim, one of the se

ed. “All of my vintages

shrugs. “We’ve searched everywhere

Will you excuse me for a moment?He asked “It’s fine. This is your special

hand down my arm. “I

. No hurry.” Rea

on. I eye Kim and Cross on the dance floor and recognize her signature moves. When they circl

on a different continent for all of three days and she’s already found her next hook

evening? “I look up at the person speaking and I’m not prepared for whom I see. A feather could knock me over. It’s him, the

His dark hair is unruly in contrast to his businesslike attire, and I wonder if he purposely fixed it that way or

num with a pinstriped shirt beneath. His coordinating blue

if I was enjoying the wine? At least that

ion to the glass in front of

y book: good or bad. I give it a once-over and decide there’s no reason to pretend I

nose. “It’s Cabernet Sauvignon.” He tilts it upward and takes a small sip. “Not bad.” Oh, double swoon. His l

merizing, the kind you can get lost in with very little effort. “If

one of the students sho

g. “Is this one your friend’s?.“Is it Max’s? They’d star

t of the others I’ve tried to

t he should be back any minute.” I silently pray he won’t return and ruin my conv

rin. “If I recall correctly,

o the dance floor where the band is playing a fairly decent version o

u’re America

y and twice on S

t brings a funny Yan

ve her a smile. “My best friend invited me to spend the summer.

m over the years about my strong twang. “Th

So, how are you able to put you

reer for a little while so I could clear m

rs on his face. “I have somewhere to be in a few minutes, so I have to

ould I tell

, I would l

g and I expect it to run late. May I sen

? “Umm, okay.” He takes h

ment for me to recall the unfamiliar address,

y driver’s name is Sam and yo