Zoe drove up to the winery with a heavy heart. Foster was scheduled to leave for New York tomorrow. Because of her busy pre-holiday schedule at the store, Zoe had barely had time to breathe. Let alone talk with Foster. He’d said he had something important to discuss tonight and Zoe’s stomach danced with butterflies, anticipating the conversation.
She regretted not having more time with him before he left. She supposed it was for the best. What they’d shared was special, but not meant to be. He had a life to return to, as did she. As much as those cards had predicted her soul mate, she knew enough to realize that even soul mate connections weren’t always destined to be. Perhaps he would suggest they keep in touch and try long-distance dating. That might work in the short term, but she knew it couldn’t forever. Harmony was her home and she couldn’t imagine leaving.
Her heart ached as she parked her car and made her way to the large white tent on the property. Twilight was falling and white twinkle lights created a magical cocoon for the party. She saw shadows move on the white fabric as the party was in full swing.
So much like that night ten years ago when Foster left for the first time. Zoe’s heart threatened to break under the memories. This time would be different. She knew to expect the sharp pain of loss. Knew that the wound would never heal, just fade with time.
There would always be a piece of her that belonged to Foster.
She entered the party, taking in the lights and the music, which all signaled a celebration. It felt like having a rock band at a funeral. While Foster might return to Harmony to visit, she knew that what they had together could never be recaptured.
It was a matter of time before one or both of them inevitably moved on. You’ll love no one but Foster.
Her eyes scanned the party until she found him. Standing with his sister Felicity, smiling and laughing, with a glass of sparkling wine in his hand. He threw an arm around his sister, hugging her close, and Felicity returned his smile. Several other Dupont siblings joined the circle and their smiles and laughter cut Zoe to the quick.
Foster noticed her and made his way through the crowd of admirers. No matter how long he stayed away, he had an endless stream of fans.
“Zoe!” he exclaimed when he reached her. “I’m so glad you’re here. I need to talk to you. But first, wine.”
He led them over to the open bar, where Zoe chose the same sparkling wine Foster was drinking. He took her hand and pulled her to a quiet corner of the party.
“Cheers,” she said, and they clinked glasses before drinking. Be cool. Don’t let on how devastated you are by his leaving. Too late. A single tear slipped down her cheek.
Foster reached to wipe it away with a finger. “Don’t cry, Zoe. I have good news.”
“What kind of good news?” she asked. She held her breath, hoping he’d say he’d be back for a visit soon and wanted to see her. Was that her future? Stolen moments with him while he was in her time zone?
Before he could detail his news, the sound of someone tapping a mic interrupted them.
Felicity stood at the center of the room. “Thank you all for coming to Foster’s going-away party. We have a bit of a surprise for you.”
Zoe reached for Foster’s hand, only to find air. Foster had already moved towards the center of the room, without a backwards glance. Not again.
Foster took the mic and faced the crowd. “Thank you, Felicity, for that unexpected introduction. I have a bit of a plot twist to announce.”
Zoe watched for a moment, then made her way around the perimeter of the crowd. She didn’t feel like hanging around for another round of rejection. She suddenly felt sixteen all over again. Wishing the guy would choose her, just this once.
Instead, she found herself alone as her hero walked away without a backwards glance.
“Zoe.” Her name on his lips stopped her in her tracks. She turned to face Foster, willing herself not to cry.
“Don’t go. I just have to do this thing first,” he said. All eyes turned to her, and she stood rooted to the spot.
“Get on with it, then. We have a party going on,” Felicity teased.
Foster met Zoe’s eyes. “I have given this a lot of thought. The circumstances that brought me home were unexpected and painful, but they gave me the gift of awareness. These past few days in Harmony have shown me that this place will forever be my home.” He gauged Zoe’s response. She tilted her head and waited. “It’s time I return home.”
The crowd went wild with cheers and clapping. Zoe felt numb. Did Foster say he was returning home? Did he mean permanently? Zoe had more questions than answers.
Foster handed the microphone to Felicity, then started walking towards Zoe. When he reached her, he clasped her hands in his.
“Zoe, you helped me see that this place, my family, is what is most important. I’m moving home permanently.” He took a deep breath. “I hope you want to be part of my life I build in Harmony.”
More cheers erupted from the crowd.
“I’d love to. What did you have in mind?”
Foster grinned. “We can start with dinner, but I have it on good authority that we’re soul mates. So I’m hoping that dinner leads to forever.”
Zoe’s heart threatened to beat out of her chest with joy. “Yes, Foster, dinner sounds great. And forever, too!”
He pulled her into his arms and spun her around until the twinkle lights blurred in her vision. When he set her on her feet, he leaned down to kiss her long and deep.
“Forever, Zoe. I promise you forever.”
* * *
Meet Foster’s sister, Francesca Dupont, as she finds her true love in Flirting for the Holidays
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