Chloe was behind the bar wiping off the counter when her dad came in from the storeroom carrying a case. “This should be enough to restock for tomorrow,” he said as he set the case on top of the bar and began gently pulling the bottles out one by one.
“That party today wiped out our Viognier,” Chloe said. “I think that’s become a crowd favorite.”
Zach nodded. “It’s a really great release. Do you need help with those glasses?”
Chloe shook her head. “Nope. I’m nearly done.”
Just then she saw a familiar red flash through the storefront window and looked out to see Chase and his father Peter peering in. She froze, not sure what to do, and that’s when Zach saw them as well.
Peter waved through the window in his usual cocky way. Zach just barely nodded and turned away to walk back to the storeroom for another case. Peter turned to walk on, and Chase lingered behind him to give Chloe a tiny wave and guilty shrug before catching up with his father.
Chloe let out a low whistle and turned back to clean the final glasses. Her father came back in with another case. “I thought we had enough?” she asked,
He cleared his throat. “Won’t hurt to add a few more.”
Chloe paused and then decided to press him, “Hey, have you spoken to Peter since everything happened?”
“Nope.” Zach stated without a hint of emotion as he pulled out the bottles.
“Huh. So, I guess you two are never going to make up?”
Zach looked up at her. “I don’t think that’s really a possibility. I have forgiven him and moved on, but he’s not someone I’d like to be friends with again.”
“I get it.” Chloe felt discouraged, wondering how she was ever going to tell her father about Chase. They were becoming really good friends, and she hated keeping anything from him. She also knew from experience how her dad avoided conflict. He preferred to focus on things he could control, and once he made a decision about something, it was final. She wondered how she could ever get him to change his mind.
“Well, I’m going to take off unless you need anything?” she asked as she folded up a dish towel and placed it on the sink.
“That’s fine, dear. Just text me when you get home.” Zach came over to give her a bear hug and peck on the cheek.
“Always do.” She grinned at him and then spun around on her heels to head out. Once outside, she looked down Main Street to see if she could catch another glimpse of Chase, but he was gone.