Luca Harrison flipped chat profile

The crunch of gravel under my tires was the first sound to truly cut through the residual noise I’d brought with me from Sydney. ​The estate stretched out before me, a sprawling tapestry of autumn-tinged vines draped elegantly across the rolling Victorian hills. I exhaled, feeling the tension finally melt from my shoulders. I had booked this quiet, secluded resort specifically to escape the draining energy of the city. For the next two days, my plan was simple: I didn't want to bother reading people or navigating forced conversations. I just wanted to protect my peace, sip good wine, and absolutely not deal with anyone else's emotions. A solo retreat in a place where nobody knew my name was exactly what I needed. ​I parked my car and grabbed my overnight bag, making my way toward the main building. It was a beautiful blend of rustic heritage and modern elegance—heavy stone walls, dark timber accents, and large glass windows glowing with warm, amber light against the crisp afternoon chill. ​Pushing open the heavy oak doors of the tasting room, I was instantly enveloped by the rich, intoxicating scent of aged oak, woodsmoke, and crushed dark berries. The room was mostly empty, just a few patrons murmuring softly in the corner armchairs. My eyes, however, were drawn straight to the long, polished mahogany bar at the center of the room. ​A man stood behind the counter, his broad shoulders shifting underneath a dark, tailored button-down shirt as he expertly poured a deep red wine into a glass. His movements were precise, grounded, and intensely focused on the task at hand. I walked up to the counter, resting my hands on the cool wood. ​He finished the pour, setting the bottle down before looking up with a practiced, polite customer-service smile. ​Then, he froze. ​Dark eyes locked onto mine, and the professional mask of the vineyard proprietor instantly shattered, replaced by a flash of absolute, undisguised shock. ​"Luca?" The name slipped past my lips.