Zwilling
Date: 11/13/2016,
Categories:
Taboo
Author: TristanGale
... “We’ve been expecting you,” they said in unison. They brought out glasses for all of them and made her feel welcome and at home. They exchanged more courtesies as they tasted wine. The Zwilling brothers had come from Denmark, selling the fishing boats they’d inherited from their father to make a go of things on their own in the States. They had met a wine importer who thought things were really heating up in Colorado and had opened a wine shop in LoDo. Heather in turn told them her own story, which she thought boring by this point, though the brothers seemed very interested. “Since you’re alone in the city,” Ivan asked when they had tasted everything she had brought at least twice, “would you like to join us for dinner?” “Oh yes, you should,” Sven chirped. “Ivan is making fondue tonight. Ivan Zwilling’s fondue is legendary.” He laughed. Heather could hardly pass up such charming company and agreed. The Zwilling brothers closed up shop at 7:00 and led Heather across the bridge to their loft, an enormous affair with 360 degree views. It was a proper loft, a converted industrial warehouse that had somehow survived successive waves of gentrification. The furnishings were Scandinavian contemporary clean but somehow cozy. Heather felt quite at home in front of the gas fireplace, enjoying her wine and chatting with Sven while Ivan prepared dinner out in the kitchen. Ivan brought the pot of boiling cheese and set it at the center of the coffee table with the sliced apples and bread ...
... that were there, accompanied by a bottle of Austrian Marillen schnapps. Sven poured the brandy out while Ivan sat down. They ate heartily. Ivan returned to the kitchen to cut some more bread and apples, leaving Heather alone with Sven again. “You have a bit of cheese,” Sven pointed, “just there.” Heather made to wipe it off, brushing her hand against the wrong side. “No, that’s not it, would you like me to help?” He did not wait for an answer but leaned forward and gently sucked the morsel from her chin. Heather was not sure how she should react and blushed a little at her indecision whether to be pleased with his attentions or put off. “That looks nice,” Ivan said, rejoining them on the floor. “May I try?” “Guys!” Heather protested. “Just some harmless fun,” Ivan said, taking a sip of his wine. He peered deep into her eyes as he did so. He put the glass down and moved closer, not breaking his gaze. “But really, I must ask you something.” “Sure,” Heather tried to sound friendly and confident, but knew that her response had been timid. “You’re so beautiful, but you keep hiding yourself.” “Ivan, a bit personal, don’t you think?” Sven protested “What do you mean?” Heather said, taking a sip of her wine to steady herself. “Nothing,” Ivan said, taking another sip of his wine and moving away. “Sven’s quite right. It’s too personal. We don’t know each other that well." “It’s this thing he does,” Sven added. “He’s really good at reading people and he frequently calls them out on it.” ...