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‘Do you know what you want?’ Eric asked.
‘Everything here is fabulous, but I’m going with the chicken piccata. How about you?’
‘I was thinking about trying the pork sofrito. It sounds good.’
‘It is good.’
The waiter returned with the bottle of Pinot Grigio Eric had ordered and took our order.
‘We’ll have the bruschetta pomodoro and beet salads to start,’ Eric said. ‘My lovely date will have chicken piccata and I will have the pork sofrito.’
We settled into easy conversation and little by little my pulse slowed.
After enjoying the bruschetta pomodoro, the waiter served our beet salads.
‘I think this is the best beet salad I’ve ever had,’ Eric said.
I picked up my wine glass. ‘It’s delicious but not as good as my grandma’s. She made the best.’
Eric smiled. ‘Tell me about your family.’
‘There’s actually not that much to tell.’ I sat my wine glass down. ‘I have no siblings and my mother was a single parent.’
Eric’s eyelids closed for a millisecond, as if he was trying to imagine me as a child. ‘So no brothers or sisters? Or dad?’
I nodded. ‘That’s right. Just me, Mom and Grandma. Now they’re gone and it’s just me.’ I blinked, trying to keep the tears I felt coming at bay. I usually didn’t tear up when I talked about my family. Maybe the wine was making me a bit melancholy.
Eric sat back in his seat. ‘I’m sorry to hear that.’
I retrieved a tissue from my purse and dabbed the corners of my eyes. ‘But I have a best friend and she’s like family. Jackie and I have known each other since kindergarten.’
‘I bet you were a precocious child,’ Eric teased.
I shrugged. ‘Maybe a little.’
‘I’d love to hear about your childhood. What was it like. What were you like?’
I hadn’t expected his question so I wasn’t prepared to answer quickly. I had to think about it. I chewed on my lower lip. ‘Definitely a tomboy. I loved playing basketball. My mom enrolled me in ballet classes, but I was as graceful as a groundhog. I was more comfortable with a ball in my hands.’
Eric chuckled. ‘What sports did you play besides basketball?’
‘Baseball and soccer. And I was very competitive. I hated to lose.’
‘Do you still play?’
‘Oh gosh no. The last time I hit or kicked or sunk a ball, I was wearing training bras and braces.’
Eric laughed. ‘Well, we should play sometime. If you don’t mind losing, that is.’
I tilted my head and narrowed my eyes. ‘Why, Mr Talbot, are you challenging me?’
‘Why not? It might be fun to play you at horse and see who wins. That is, if you’re up to the challenge.’
I held out my hand. ‘Challenge accepted.’
My cell phone rang. It was Jackie. I excused myself and went to the restroom.
‘So, how’s it going?’ Jackie asked.
‘So far, so good. He’s good-looking, even better than his photo online. He just challenged me to a game of horse.’
‘Horse? As in basketball?’
‘Yes.’
‘Okay. It sounds like you don’t need to be rescued. Call me when you get home. I want to hear everything!’
I returned to the table just as the waiter arrived with our main entrees. ‘Can I get you anything else?’ he asked.
Eric looked at me and I shook my head.
‘I think we’re fine for now,’ Eric said. ‘Thanks.’
We settled back into easy conversation between bites. ‘So, now that you know I was a tomboy, what were you like as a kid?’
‘I wasn’t into team sports as much as you,’ Eric said. ‘Not that I never played, but I preferred fishing, hunting, riding horses and other outdoor activities. And I loved to read. I did a lot of that.’
‘A reader, huh? What did you read?’
Eric shrugged. ‘The usual stuff. I especially liked scary books. Still do.’
I scrunched my face. ‘I hate scary books. Jackie gave me one to read once and I couldn’t get past the first chapter. I hate being scared.’
‘What types of things scare you?’
‘I hate snakes and spiders but most of all I hate clowns.’
Eric laughed. ‘Clowns. Really?’
‘Yes, really. They’re creepy.’ I felt a strong need to convey the seriousness of my answer, however stupid it seemed. ‘Clowns have paint on their faces and you have no idea who they are. And their red cheeks are the scariest. You can never guess their intentions because of the masks they wear.’
‘Have you ever gone to the circus?’ Eric asked. ‘Those are nice clowns, right? They aren’t scary.’
‘All clowns are scary,’ I said. ‘What about you? Are you scared of anything?’
‘Hmm. Not really.’
‘There’s nothing that scares you?’ I pressed for an answer. Eric rubbed his neck. ‘Well, maybe one thing. Depths.’
‘Depths? Why depths?’
‘When I was young, I dove for sand dollars in the Caribbean. Once, I dived too deep and struggled to return to the surface. I thought I was going to die. After that, I never dove again. I tried to, but I’d break out in sweat just thinking about it. I hated the idea of not being in control. I always thought I’d like to learn how to scuba dive, but there’s no way I’d be able to. That traumatic experience ruined me for life.’
‘Sounds frightening.’
‘It was, especially for a ten-year-old.’
‘Did you go to the Caribbean a lot growing up?’
He nodded. ‘My parents had a house on St John island.’
‘Wow! St John has beautiful beaches. I was there once a long time ago. Do your parents still have the house?’
Eric shook his head. ‘My parents died a few years ago. They sold the house when I went to college.’
‘Do you have any siblings?’
‘No, only child like you. My parents didn’t have me until they were in their early forties. Mom didn’t think she could have children and then I came along.’
‘That must have been a surprise!’
‘Sure was.’
We continued our conversation over coffee and when I checked my phone, I was surprised to realize we’d been there for nearly four hours.
‘I should be going,’ I said. ‘I have some work to do when I get home.’
Eric paid the waiter and we walked out of the restaurant together. ‘Thank you for dinner,’ I said. ‘It was great seeing you in person, much better than texting.’
Eric stopped. ‘You don’t like texting?’
I shrugged. ‘It’s okay. I know it’s how most people communicate these days, but I prefer talking on the phone or in person.’
Eric smiled. ‘I’ll keep that in mind. And I hope to see you again, soon.’
I raked my front teeth over my lower lip. ‘I’d like that.’
Eric wrapped his arms around me. I hadn’t been expecting a hug and I wobbled a bit. The butterflies in my stomach took flight again and for a couple of seconds I didn’t want him to let go. I felt warm and safe in his embrace.
My entire drive home, I couldn’t stop thinking about Eric. The way his dimples popped when he smiled. The way he listened more than he talked. He seemed so gentle and kind. And he was so easy to talk to. Maybe Jackie was right. Maybe this would be the one I’d shave my legs for.
Chapter 5 (#ulink_8351f918-8c38-57fc-8804-5641019867f2)
When I got home, I changed into my pajamas and called Jackie. She picked up the phone before I even heard it ring.
‘About time you called! I’ve been dying to hear about your night.’
I gave her a play by play. ‘He’s so easy to talk to, Jack. Maybe it’s because we’ve been through similar experiences with our exes, but I feel like he really understands me. To be honest, it’s a bit scary to feel so comfortable around him so soon.’
‘I think that’s what they call chemistry.’
‘Yeah, I guess.’ I yawned.
‘You sound tired.’
‘I am. I need to sleep. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.’
I crawled into bed and heard my phone ping. It was a text from Eric.
Enjoyed our dinner. Sleep well.
I texted back, You, too!
Even though I had the entire bed to myself, I always slept on the left side, as far over as I could without falling out. When I was married to Scott, he sprawled out leaving me little room. Some habits die hard, I guess. Strange how we continue to do something even when it no longer makes sense.
Morning came too soon. I’d hoped to sleep in but the tenant living above me decided that six in the morning was the perfect time to vacuum. I stumbled into the kitchen to make a cup of coffee.
I sat down with my tablet and read the news. Just when I finished, my cell phone rang. It was Eric. He remembered I preferred talking over texting.
‘Good morning!’
He sounded way too chipper for this early in the day.
‘I just wanted to thank you again for a terrific night.’
‘I should be the one thanking you. I really had a great time.’
‘I was wondering about that game of horse.’
‘Horse?’
Eric reminded me of the basketball challenge. ‘So, are you ready to lose?’
I laughed. ‘The only person who’s going to lose is you.’
‘You sound pretty sure of yourself.’
‘I am.’
‘Sounds like we need to settle this once and for all. Can you play this afternoon?’
‘Uh, yeah, I guess.’ I was shocked he wanted to see me again so soon, but the attention made me feel special. ‘But do you really want to drive back here again today?’
‘Absolutely,’ Eric said. ‘I don’t suppose you have a basketball court where you live.’
‘Actually, we do.’ My apartment complex had tennis and basketball courts. ‘But I don’t have a basketball.’
‘I’ll stop and pick one up,’ Eric said. ‘Does early afternoon work for you?’
