“People in Chicago must date differently than in the rest of the world,” I tell him a little confused by how laid back he seems.
Noah puts his fork down and pushes his chair back in surrender. “I think it’s big city dating versus smaller city dating. You know?”
“Singles in big cities aren’t looking for ‘the one?’” I ask, making the requisite air quotes around “the one.”
“Sure they are, I just think they want to date a lot of people before settling. They want to know what they’re getting into.”
“Are you saying I settled when I married Brett?” I don’t know if I’m shocked, offended, or both.
He shrugs. “Did you?”
I want to be mad at him for even suggesting such a thing, but in truth, he might be on to something. I take another bite of my dessert. I do my best to savor it, but it’s suddenly lost all flavor. “I certainly didn’t think so at the time, but I suppose it’s possible.”
“A lot of people get married right out of college,” he says. “There’s probably good and bad that stems from that.”
“What’s the good?”
“When you’re young you don’t have a lot of baggage to sort through. There aren’t a slew of negative past experiences so you start your journey optimistically. You grow together.”
“And the bad?”
“You don’t know what else is out there, and you may not change at the same rate. One of you might outgrow the other.”
That’s not what happened between me and Brett. We tried to grow together. We tried to have a family, but that clearly wasn’t in the cards. Ultimately, I decide, “That could happen at any age.”
“I agree,” he says. “But when you’re older, you have more experience, and you might be more likely to accurately predict if the one you’re with has what it takes to meet life’s challenges with you.”
“This conversation is getting kind of depressing,” I tell him. “But I suppose it’s also making me realize that I’m glad I’m not waiting to get married again before starting a family. Marriage is uncertain, but my desire to become a mother isn’t.”
“Have you told your parents about your plans yet?” he asks.
“Not yet. There’s no sense getting them all riled before I have to.”
“If you’re lucky enough to adopt during the summer months, you might be able to have the whole summer and get maternity leave, too.”
“That’sifI keep teaching,” I say. “I need to take a couple of courses to get my certification. I’ll probably start that over the summer.” I hurry to ask, “Where do you see yourself once the school year ends?”
“Probably back in Chicago. I’m hoping Banks offers me my job back.”
“And you would take it?” I ask. “I thought you were mad they demoted you.”
With a glint in his eye, he answers, “Oh, I’ll take it. With the proper amount of groveling along with a hefty pay raise, that is.”
Our waiter stops by to see how we’re doing, and Noah asks for our check. Jake, according to his name tag, tells him, “Tim is taking care of your bill tonight. He says it’s the least he can do for the new Crappie coach.”
Noah cringes. “Please tell him that I will happily pay double every time I come in, if he will stop calling me that.”
Jake laughs. “I’ll tell him, but I wouldn’t get your hopes up.” Then he walks off.
Noah puts thirty dollars down on the table for a tip and brushes away my attempt to contribute. Then he stands up and asks, “Are you ready to go?”
“I’m so full I’m not sure I can walk.” In fact, I may have to resort to waddling. Which I’m sure will completely sour Noah against any romantic thoughts.
Noah reaches out and places his hand on my lower back before gently leading the way out of the dining room. I like this man so much and not just because I used to worship the ground he walked on. I like who he is now: honest, kind, and funny.
Once we’re outside of the club, he tentatively reaches out and takes my hand, and I can’t help but wonder if I’m going to get another kiss.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
