“Sparkling water?! No way!” Espen exclaims “Come on, take a glass of wine? A cocktail maybe?”
Mira smiles at him. “No thanks, I don’t drink”. She turns to the waiter and nods, “A sparkling water, please.”
Espen moves his chair to sit next to her. “I’m sorry, tell me your name again?” The sparkle in his light brown eyes immediately draws her in. They had already been introduced by mutual friends at the bar earlier this evening, he just hadn’t really noticed her until now.
Mira knows him already, of course. Espen stands out in their small community. He is so true to his name, which, someone explained to her once, means ‘Bear’ in some Scandinavian language. The way he naturally takes up space wherever he goes, his voice always just a tad too loud, his roaring laughter lingering just a bit too long. He is even built like a bear—tall and barrel-chested, with short-cropped brown hair, a ruggedly shaved face and dark brown hairs protruding messily from his suntanned underarms.
“So Mira”, he says, a mischievous tone in his voice, “What do you mean you don’t drink? He points at the wine coolers on the table. She feels a tingle in her stomach as she meets his eyes. “Well,” she says, “my friends are drinking, I’m not.”
He leans forward toward her. “Tell me,…. why not?”
She hesitates before responding, “It’s a long story.”
“I love long stories! Come on, what did life throw your way to make you not drink?” His eyes take her in completely, drawing her out. She begins to talk, feeling slightly uncomfortable at first. He listens intently, absorbing every word without interruption, until eventually, she confides all.
“So,…..yeah” she finally rounds off her story.
“Yeah, I understand” he replies, placing a hand gently over hers, squeezing it gently. “I mean, I understand why you stopped drinking. But, it sounds to me like you are not that person anymore right? I mean, you came out stronger. Here you are, a night out with your friends, us meeting, letting our guards down and getting to know each other better.” He raises an eyebrow suggestively. Mira can’t help but burst out laughing.
“See! I’ve got you laughing already” he continues triumphantly, “Come on, live a little! Have a drink! Just for a trial period, tonight, with me? We can take a walk through the city center, and I’ll show you a few special spots that I don’t share with just anyone. I guarantee you, these places are magical, and the stories that unfolded there? Astonishing! Tomorrow morning, when you wake up, you’ll think back to tonight and still be amazed. I’ll pick you up early, we can relax on my boat—maybe enjoy some mimosas at brunch and take a refreshing dive in the sea? Just good vibes! Life’s too short not to enjoy it with great company. What do you say?”
He grabs two glasses and the bottle of Sauvignon Blanc. “I’m usually more of a beer guy” he says. “But tonight, I’ll drink wine with you.” He pours them both a glass and hands her one.
Mira feels her resolve fading as thoughts keep circling her mind. Isn’t the fact that she feels happy right now, so at ease with Espen and her friends, proof enough that she is ready to drink again? Surely her life is different now than it was in the past? Surely she won’t slip back into gloomy thoughts or feelings—tonight, tomorrow, or next week? Surely she’s developed the discipline to limit her drinking to special events like tonight? Isn’t it time to finally stop holding back? She finally resigns, tired of the struggle.
She grabs the wineglass and inhales the familiar aroma—a blend of light sourness and sharp alcohol.
She takes a first sip. As the wine rests on her tongue, she savors the tartness while the cold liquid chills the inside of her cheeks. She turns to Espen, smiles faintly, and, while holding his gaze, finally swallows.
Her body reacts instantly to the drink, as if welcoming a long-lost friend. Her shoulders relax, her eyes close and she lets out a satisfied breath. The wine soothes her thoughts, quieting them almost instantly and finally putting them to rest. She opens her eyes to find that Espen hasn’t diverted his eyes from her face. Smiling, he bites his underlip. The stirring in her stomach spreads through her body as she takes another sip and returns his gaze.
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