place with good food and a nice atmosphere. We won’t be rushed.”
She glanced around at the other patrons. “Lots of college students. Is that appealing?”
He frowned. “Are you asking if I come here to pick up college girls? God, no. They’re too young. I prefer someone age-appropriate.”
“I was just asking,” she said, keeping her tone light. “I didn’t mean to offend.”
“I’m not that guy.”
“I believe you.” The information made her want to ask what guy he was.
Their server appeared. Adam ordered a beer while she asked for the blackberry mojito. They agreed to split several small plates, including a mushroom tart, fried cauliflower, polenta fries and a cheese plate.
Sage handed her menu to the server. “You realize we’re going to be eating more calories than we burned.”
“I know but it will be worth it. How’s work?”
“Good. Busy. I’m establishing a client list, which helps. Repeat business means better money. Vivian, the reigning queen of sales, doesn’t like me, but I’m trying to win her over.”
Adam picked up his water glass. “She’s going to like you less when you start outselling her.”
“Why would you think I would?”
“Am I wrong?”
She grinned. “No.”
“There you go.”
She looked at him. “So about the woman you had over a couple of weeks ago,” she began.
Adam held up both hands. “I haven’t seen her since and I have no plans to see her.”
“It really was just sex?”
“Yes.”
“Was the sex good?”
He chuckled. “When is it bad?”
“It’s not always good for me the first few times. I’ve never been a fan of the one-night stand.”
“Makes sense. You’ve always been into serial relationships. Jordan, the race car driver. I’m sure there have been others.”
More than he knew, she thought.
Their server returned with their drinks and the cheese plate. When she’d left, Sage said, “Tell me about your wife. How long were you married?”
“Eight years.” He looked past her, his expression more resigned than sad, then he swung his gaze back to hers. “She didn’t want children. She made that clear from our third date. She wanted me to know that if the relationship was going to get serious, she wasn’t interested in having a family.”
Sage sipped her drink. “Not the usual choice. I know more and more women don’t feel they have to have children, but it’s still kind of expected.”
“Do you want kids?”
The question caught her off guard. “I don’t know,” she said, knowing she wasn’t going to tell him the truth. “I think I’ve always been afraid I wouldn’t be a good mother. I didn’t have a great role model.”
“It’s not too late.”
“It’s close to too late. Go back to what you were telling me. She didn’t want kids. That must have surprised you.”
“It did. I’d always assumed I would have a family, so I needed to think about it. I knew enough to know I wasn’t likely to change her mind and if we were going to keep seeing each other, I had to be okay with that.”
“You decided you were okay with that,” she said, reaching for a slice of gouda. “You must have been or you wouldn’t have married her.”
He nodded. “But after a few years, I changed my mind. I really wanted a family. I talked to her about it and she reminded me she’d been totally clear on the subject.”
“Did you fight?”
“No, but things were strained. I was resentful, which makes me an asshole. She hadn’t lied. I was the one changing the rules.”
“And then she died and you felt guilty about being mad at her.”
“Uh-huh. That’s how it went. I sold our house and bought the one I have now. I read a few books on grief and I think I’m sort of adjusted.”
“But you don’t date. You just find women on Tinder and have sex.”
One corner of his mouth turned up. “There is that, yes.”
“Why are you avoiding relationships?”
“I don’t know. Guilt, maybe. I don’t want to be disappointed.”
“Are you still in love with her?”
“No.”
Why was it other people’s problems were so much more interesting than her own? “Adam, you’re a single guy with a great job. You’re good-looking and funny and very normal. You could have just about anyone. Maybe it’s time to put yourself out there. Go on a date. Go on a second date.”
He sipped his beer. “That’s the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me.”
“I can be nice.”
“I know. I’m just surprised you’re willing to see that quality in yourself. I know you were hedging before, when I asked about kids. What’s the real reason you haven’t