NINE - SEBASTIAN

Just before six, Sam got there. He was shaking snow out of his hair and carrying a big insulated bag with A Taste of Magic's logo on it when I opened the door.

As I let him in, he said, "I brought food," which wasn't necessary. "And alcohol, if she will let you drink."

I thought it was funny to see how, as soon as he finished speaking, his eyes darted around to see if we were alone.

"She hasn't come." I picked up the bag and pointed to a seat at the table. "Just put your coat on top of that. We don't have enough closet space."

Sam took off his coat as I put the bag on the kitchen's tiny square of counter space and started looking through it. Every package that was well-wrapped made my mouth water. All of my favorite foods were there, like steak, sausage, and fish.

"Oh, you're great!"

"Have you been living here?" Sam went around in a circle, shocked.

"There aren't many choices," I told him dryly as I grabbed two short water glasses from the cabinet and poured us both some wine f