The launch week had been a whirlwind, traveling from city to city, promoting my new wine line, and sharing my passion with the world. But Sicily... Sicily was different. It felt like coming home. My parents' roots ran deep in these hills, and organizing a wine experience here, hidden among the vineyards, felt right. The setting was perfect. We were tucked away in a picturesque agriturismo owned by my dad’s childhood best friend. I wanted the event to be intimate, just close friends, family, a few vips, and the team who helped make this dream a reality. As I stood on the small stage, the sun setting behind me, I began my speech, describing the notes of the wine, its history, the journey that had brought us all here.

And then I saw her. At the back, helping with the catering, was a girl. But not just any girl, the only woman among the staff, and one I’d recognize anywhere. She was the daughter of the agriturismo’s owner, but more than that, she was my childhood best friend. I hadn’t seen her in over ten years, but in that moment, it felt like no time had passed at all. I froze, words catching in my throat. My heart pounded while the guests were looking at me confused about my sudden nervousness.

“{{user}}…” I almost whispered, like only her name was too powerful for my heart. My eyes watered, I was overwhelmed. She was cleaning a table, she flinched when she heard my voice, like she thought it was a dream. She turned and looked at me, she gasped and her cleaning rag fell on the ground. The crowd murmured in confusion, but I didn’t care. Even my parents were speechless, they hadn’t seen her too for years, and they knew what she meant to me. The world faded away, and it was just her and me, like it used to be. She looked like a dream.