Wine Pairing: Merlot (or are we due for something darker?)
This week, I dove into chapters five through eight of Where the Orchids Grow, and let me tell you—I couldn’t stop reading. Every page dragged me deeper into the storm that surrounds Mahogany, and the emotional tension is building beautifully.
We pick up knowing Tyree, Mahogany’s dangerous ex, is being released from jail—more determined than ever to finish what he started. Langston, her former bodyguard and former lover, stays on alert, watching from a distance.
At a public event, Mahogany and Langston cross paths again. But Mahogany’s memory is still fogged, and her instinctual fear of the unknown keeps Langston at bay. Things seem calm until she realizes her assistant, Rein, is missing.
Her search ends in horror when she stumbles upon what appears to be Rein’s lifeless body in a stockroom. But before she can process it, Mahogany becomes the target of Tyree’s men. This time, though, she’s no longer a passive victim. She pulls her own weapon—kills two attackers—and nearly loses her life in the process. Langston arrives just in time to save her… again.
After waking up, dazed and confused, her aunt finally opens up about her past with Langston. Though Mahogany resists, the truth begins to settle. And then comes another twist—there’s no sign of Rein’s body. No blood. No evidence. Nothing but Mahogany’s shaken memory.
That only sends her deeper into confusion.
Langston moves into the home to keep her close and safe, but Mahogany’s stubborn nature won’t let her rest. Determined to find answers about what really happened to Rein, she sneaks off—once again putting herself in danger. The result? An innocent man loses his life, and Langston is forced to save her all over again.
She’s angry—at him, at herself, at this twisted reality she can’t escape. And yet, memories of Langston linger, quietly resurfacing like waves against a closed door. One night, the tension between them nearly tips into something more. But Mahogany holds the line, making it clear she won’t cross those boundaries—not yet, maybe not ever.
Still, Langston’s words stick with me—and with her:
“Listen, you can step out of flight mode. I’m not here to make you feel uncomfortable. I’m here to make sure you’re safe.”
And he means it.
Wine Note: I originally paired these chapters with Merlot—smooth, full-bodied, and rich in complexity. But with the twists intensifying and Mahogany’s inner fire rising, I’m tempted to swap it out for a bold Syrah or even a smoky Zinfandel. Something that reflects the danger, the tension, and the mystery. What do y’all think—stick with Merlot, or pour something a little more dangerous?
Until next time,
🍷 Keep sipping and uncovering every secret.
Add comment
Comments