No Strings Attached

Marian's laughter filled the room, the corners of her mouth reaching her ears. "Ah, you remembered how much I love a good drink. What a sweet girl. Pour one out for me, please."

Clara poured a generous glass for Marian and then proceeded to serve everyone at the table. When she got to lan, her mouth watered with envy. In a hushed tone, she asked, "Um, lan, can I have just a tiny sip?" Sᴇaʀ*ᴄh the (F)indNƟvᴇl.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

Without missing a beat, lan firmly declined, "Sweetheart, pregnant ladies shouldn't be drinking. Have you forgotten? Do you want our baby to come out asking for a bottle of beer instead of milk?"

"But just a teeny taste won't hurt! Or I could just lick it. Bueberry wine isn't going to knock me out." As she spoke, Clara ran her tongue over her lips, clearly yearning for a taste.

lan chuckled and playfully pinched her nose. He brought the glass to her lips, teasing, "Just a lick. Any more, and you're getting a spank."

she let her tongue graze the liquid. The rich, sweet flavor, laced with

protests. The cool liquid slid down her throat, leaving a lingering, mellow aftertaste. It was the flavor

heart skipped a beat. She handed the glass to Casey, her eyes sparkling with uncontainable excitement. "Dad, this wine is the same one that boy's mom

taste, Clara. Could Brodie

eyes welled up with tears. "Dad, I knew he and his mom weren't gone. They were too good... How could they just die? I need to go to the

he felt a chill in his heart. If it weren't for the child they were expecting, he

deal with everything else after dinner, okay?" Clara really wanted the truth, but one look at Marian's

about how Brodie and his mother had

had enough to eat? If you're full, I'll take you to see your childhood sweetheart." He tried to sound casual, but his eyes betrayed

oblivious to his mood, nodded impatiently. "Yes, let's