“1967 Chevy Nova Station Wagon,” I say. “My parents had one when I was growing up. I’d kill to ride in one again.”
Wrong choice of words, but I can’t take it back.
Stunned, she glances at the car. To my horror, I watch her upper lip roll up with distaste. “Uh, yeah. It was on sale,” she mutters and starts to dig into her purse. “Look, if you need me to pay you for the gas, I’ve got the cash.”
This isn’t going the way I planned.
Returning the wallet to my back pocket, I slide the edge of my finger across a few bills. If she knew how much cash I had on hand at all times, she’d probably freak. Then again, things haven’t been going my way. If she knew who I was, she might react differently.
“I’m good on the money,” I say.
She narrows her eyes, appearing more confused than even before. I’ve never been so dumbfounded by someone’s looks like this, but I’m struggling to say something, anything that sounds coherent.
Her lips purse, tongue making a whistling noise that seems to mimic the descent of my masculinity. “So… I have somewhere to be.”
I suck in a quick breath and go for the kill. “Look, I’m just going to come out and say it. I’d like to ask you out if that isn’t too weird.”
Her eyes light up, a good sign. For a moment, it seems like she’s going to say yes. But then I see that tiny curl form at the edge of her lips. It’s the kind of look that inspires self-doubt and shame in a man.
“Here?” she exclaims, giggling. “You are not doing this here. Are you asking me for my number?”
I was, but forget it. Keep the change.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t laugh,” she says. “But I’ve made an oath to myself. No men for a while.”
Oh. She’s one of those girls. If I took her on date, she’d probably eat me alive.
What if I want that to happen?
Taking a few steps back, it feels like there’s a world of distance between us. Suddenly, I realize how dumb I look. I shouldn’t sacrifice my pride for any woman. I’ve got a daughter to make happy.
Bowing my head, I feel the shame drip into my subconscious, little by little. Once it sets in, I don’t feel as bad about this mis-spark.
I chuckle. “You know, you’re right. This was weird. My apologies.”
“Wait,” she says.
I freeze, wondering what an obscenity might sound rolling off her perfect tongue. “If you don’t mind, I’d rather not face rejection twice in one night.”
Brushing her bangs from her eyes, she smirks. I wish she didn’t look so cute when she did it, but of course, she looks perfect. “I don’t give random strangers my number,” she says, nodding at the bag of candy in my hands. “At least until that candy goes out of style.”
I start to wave. “I get it. Have a good ni—”
“But...”
My heart’s rhythmic beating picks up.
She continues. “I believe in fate.”
I fill in the blanks with the many possibilities:
And I’m in love with you.
And I’m in love with your best friend.
And I’m here to kill you.
Hopefully, it’s the first one.
“If we happen to see each other again, you can ask me for my number,” she says. “Don’t worry. Next time, I won’t laugh.”
Oof. This hurts, but I’ve been through worse. The good thing is we’re far outside of the city for anyone to recognize me. Judging by her current outfit, she’s never read any of my magazines either. Any embarrassment I thought I might face now looks negligible.
I’m not one to stick around for rejection. Sensing that I’ve missed this opportunity in a pretty big way, I let out another laugh and nod. “All right. It’s a deal,” I say, putting out my hand.
She takes it, shaking. Standing there, awkward, as I break down like an overloaded machine.
I clutch her hand until she pulls away. Snapping out of my dumb trance, I clear my throat and purse my lips before heading toward my car. “Well, goodnight.”
“Goodnight, stranger.”
When I’m back in my Mercedes, I twist the keys and feel the smooth turbines kick in. I’ve never thought of myself as strange, but that’s exactly what I am. A man with all the money in the world, a wonderful daughter, and houses in three different continents should feel more alive than the other man. But I don’t. I’m more alone than I’ve ever been.
That’s the problem.
As I watch her Chevy fart out a large plume of dark smoke before she disappears onto the highway, I feel my heart sink a few inches. Seattle isn’t that far away, but it’s practically another world. With hundreds of thousands of residents, I seriously doubt I’ll run into her again. It’s probably a good thing, but my head can’t square with it.
Turning the keys, we sit in silence. I take a minute to decompress. Samantha eyes me, giggling. “Daddy’s in love.”
I can’t stop thinking about that woman.
“Am not.”
My cheeks turn hot. Am I blushing?
Samantha lobs a candy heart against my chest. It bounces, and I catch it in my hand. “Puppy Love.”
I chuckle. Of course. That must be the universe’s way of telling me to get a move on for my daughter’s sake.
After I get this dog for Samantha, I’m going to think about that woman some more. A lot more. I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to get her out of my head.
I’ll take her offer.
I’ll find her.
One thing is for certain. The meeting I had later is definitely going to be rescheduled.
Ali
Business suit. Check.
German sports car. Check.
Metal credit card. Check.
Tall. Handsome. Deep voice. He sure had it all, the total package.
Was this my prince charming?
No - I made a strong vow of celibacy. I’m not breaking it.
Once I’m on the highway, I’m driving too fast to think about anything other than the Cavalier King Charles, my Ragamuffin. I’m trying to shrug off that awkward interaction.
