We were well into our sixth week now and we needed to find something to do besides the beach. We had visited the zoo, aquarium and done an illegal viewing of the airplanes as they took off from San Diego International. We had visited "My Mexico" and eaten at fabulous restaurants in both there and California.

On evening at a local wine bar, I met a man who was in the real estate business. He had been doing beach houses for buyers as a buyer's agent in Coronado Beach and nearby San Diego. He drove a Maserati, and had some extra cash to burn it seemed. We shared a glass of wine and some conversation. We were both fans of bold reds, and shared a bottle of Cabernet and Malbec. The Malbec was from Argentina, and we had a bottle of Stag's Leap from the Napa Valley. Finally after one glass of high-end, single production, low-yield Merlot, I was fit to be tied.

I took a cab home and we exchanged numbers. I was eager to see Paul again, but I wondered where it could possibly go...I lived in North Carolina, and he in California. Brady had dreamed of having a vineyard on the west coast, and preferred Washington State to California, as he saw the value in up-and-coming areas, and AVA's.

Paul had agreed to take me and the kids out to dinner at his favourite restaurant in nearby La Jolla. I knew it would be a fine dining restaurant where we could share some more wine, and the children could eat some of the finer food that California had to offer. I agreed; somewhat reluctantly, that they could have "virgin" versions of alcoholic drinks so they could feel like part of the group for the evening.

We would go out, as the plans were to meet on Friday night and I was excited to see just what restaurant he would pick. I already had a wine in mine that I wanted to order, and I wondered if he would "pony up", and enjoy my selection.

Time would tell. It was Wednesday, and I waited impatiently by the phone for Paul to call.