“Like it?” That seemed far too much of an understatement when it came to how she felt as everything grew and bloomed, and as more and more appeared and filled out her yard so beautifully. “I love it, Eren. Really. I’m beyond impressed here, I never knew you had such a green thumb.” And seemingly one a little better than her own, she was apart of the careful science that went into growing grape vines that would produce a spectacular wine. When it came to her own yard and the landscape of it all? India hadn’t done well. She could shamefully admit that. “I’m honestly kind of moved you’ve been doing this for me all this time.” The brunette winemaker’s hand lightly gripped over her heart as she tenderly smiled up at the big man. “The calla lilies are gorgeous, one of my favorites, but I’m curious why you chose them…” Talking with Eren had always been one of India’s favorite things, and she loved getting into his mindset about the things he did because there was often a lot of thought and meaning that went into it.
“Mm, thank you,” India hummed a little as she pulled away from the embrace. She’d always been an affectionate being, more so with her friends and the people she cared about, but Eren was big and strong and there was always a little something extra to the feeling of being wrapped up in his arms. Not that she’d ever say something about that out loud, not wanting make him feel weird and possibly ruin their friendship or make things awkward. “I wish I could say the same,” the winemaker teased, “but you’re kind of sweaty.” Her fingers pinched the fabric of his shirt between them and gently tugged on the sweat soaked material. “Again, really, thank you for doing all this. I’m still,” her head shook, a little bewildered, “kind of speechless over it all.”
“I’m glad things are better. I was worried about you and thinking about you, and I apologize I haven’t really reached out.” Ever since Nico leaving and the hurricane, India hadn’t been in the best place. She was getting better, she always seemed to be in a healing state of some sort, but things were improving. Business was certainly going well and growing, and she had good friends in her life that kept her from feeling too lonely. “Anything more going on with Anya?” Naturally, she couldn’t help her curiosity and concern. “I’m doing okay,” the brunette answered honestly, “getting better, myself. The Vine is doing great, business has been back to normal for a good while now and were pretty much packed daily. It’s been great.” With a smile and nod, she suddenly felt so excited to cook for someone. India waited as he went for a clean shirt and watched him strip off the dirty one for something fresh, letting her eyes linger on the naked build of his top half. He was a physical specimen, that couldn’t be denied, and well, she was human, India couldn’t help but to have a look. “Did I tell you about my wine distribution?” As soon as he was back at her side and linking their arms, the winemaker continued. Eren was led to her door and let inside where she was sure the air conditioning would feel good against his skin. Cooking lately had been so impersonal, in the kitchen in the back for customers, rather than for a guest in her home. More than a guest, really. A dear friend. “Okay, so are you in the mood for something hearty or something a little more on the lighter side?” When they reached her kitchen, she parted from him and headed for the fridge to grab something cold for him to drink. Which turned out to be sweet tea she had sitting in a pitcher. Once she’d grabbed a glass and poured him a drink, India offered it over. “For now, just to cool you down at least. If you want to shower and have a change of clothes, you’re welcome to.” Her offer came with a bit of a shrug, it wasn’t necessary for him to hang out with her but if he wanted to India wanted to be sure he knew he was welcome to. “As nosy as she is… ah, who am I kidding she probably would have if we ever crossed paths. Thankfully I tend to miss her and she misses me. Funny thing though, her name is Karen.” Some laughter came then and she went back to her fridge to search for what she had that she could make for the two of them.
“I’m relieved, you have no idea. I kept thinking maybe it was too much? I don’t know, I kind of did get carried away. I’m glad I didn’t come off creepy though. And even if I did, you didn’t make me feel that way and that’s the important,” he teased. Truth was, the experience and time spent sculpting out the garden had been cathartic in so many ways. Beyond mastering his patience, once he fully committed, the responsibility easily became less of a chore and more of an act of care, and even love if he dared to be honest. “Oh, please lady, don’t you dare go there, you’re more than capable, we all know this, mashallah,” he softly chided, his tone good natured and light hearted. “I imagine between running a successful business here locally and maintaining that vineyard of yours, there’s probably not enough time in day.” He knew from his own experience, running one business could be tough, but two...phew. He had a lot of admiration for the woman and her tenacity and had truthfully found her to be inspiring in a lot of ways. “There’s a whole mythology behind the calla lily, I found out...You for real want to go down this rabbit hole with me? How much time do you have because you know once I get started it’s gonna be hard to shut me up or get rid of me for that matter. And you’re offering up some home cooked food and spirits too? Oh man...”
“Oh, oop...hold on a sec,” he cautioned mid-embrace. With gentle ease, his fingers slipped around a few strands of hair that caught in the chain he was wearing and he pulled them free.“Mhmm, you’re welcome. And pardon me for getting my DNA on you. Now you’re tainted, for sure,” he teased back as he reluctantly pulled back from the embrace. She tugged at his shirt and he heard himself let out an unintentional, embarrassing purr. A grown man through and through, the pheromones that lingered in the space between them were doing their job and despite his best effort to maintain some semblance of self control of respect for his friend, India’s alluring presence was not lost on the man. The attraction, he thought, allowing himself to muse for a beat, was beyond sexual. There was something ethereal about their connection and he decided just then this must be the reason he kept coming back there when clearly this woman was beyond his reach. That or he was just stupid with limerence. Either way he he needed to get a grip on himself.
They meandered a bit and he took a moment to change into a fresh shirt. As they found their way inside her place, Eren found himself on a question India a posed about Anya. It was then he occurred he hadn’t thought about his ex in a long while and he wasn’t bothered by it in the least. “I’m assuming she’s all good. I gotta assume because she hasn’t called and I guess I have up on trying to reach out on my end,” he said and gave a non-chelant shrug of his shoulders. “It stills burns a little when I think about all the time and energy I wasted trying to make it work when she found it so easy to move on, but I can’t do a damn thing about it so, I press on. Good thing is I’ve got enough going on to be distracted with work and all...plus I’ve been thinking about opening another spot on the pier,” he shared though so far the notion had been mostly just a thought. “I hate to bring up any bad feelings, but um...how bout you? Are you good?” He knew the subject of Nico was fresh so he didn’t want to dig to deep too soon. Finding a seat at the island in her kitchen, he listened for cues as she spoke to ensure he hadn’t crossed any boundaries.
“Glad to hear the Vine is getting back to normal. It was slow for a bit for us as well but I can’t lie, I didn’t really mind the downtown,” he admitted. Eyebrows lifted in surprise when she mentioned her wine distribution plans. “No I missed that update! When did you decide and what all does that entail? Does that mean I could possibly be filling my shelves with your wine?” He asked, animatedly, almost falling off his stool he was so excited for her. The tea was obliterated, downed in just a few gulps. It was so good, tasted good going down and made him feel good too. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d been looked after so affectionately, with such care. “I’ll have whatever you feel like making to be honest. I’m kind of burnt out on take out and bar food so I’m happy with whatever and that’s the truth.” He laughed when she mentioned her neighbor and the coincidence of Karen being her name. “Well at least you’ve got someone looking out. You know ain’t nobody gonna break in here without at one person knowing about it,” he laughed again. “I do have a change of clothes actually, are you sure you don’t mind?” He asked, he asked, with levels of infinite restraint he wasn’t aware he was capable of. God knows he wanted to ask her for the pleasure of her company.
