He orders a dark beer on tap, which redeems him a little. If he’d gone for a Hefeweizen, I think I would’ve docked a few points—too light and summery for a winter evening.
At least he didn’t ask for a Budweiser. I cringe immediately at that thought. When did I become such a European snob?
“You here alone?” he asks.
“At the bar or in Chamonix.”
“Both…either.”
“Alone at the bar. In Chamonix with my family.”And my ex, who’s with his current.
The bartender sets a beer in front of him. Owen pulls out his card. The bartender brings over the payment terminal. Owen taps to pay. He doesn’t leave a tip.
He nods. “I thought you had the ‘alone-alone’ vibe. But maybe it’s the ‘I need to get the hell away from people’ vibe?”
I give him a sidelong look, aware that I’m flirting with a handsome stranger, which I normally don’t do.
“Are you good at reading people?”
“Only when I’m procrastinating on calling my ex-wife,” he jokes.
His candor is charming. I laugh, a real one this time, and he grins at the sound of it.
For the next half hour, we chat.
He tells me about running a climbing gym in Boulder. I tell him about MIT, a little about growing up in Europe and the States, and nothing at all about Ransom.
It’s easy, and I feel…good. Desired. Interesting.
At one point, Owen leans in a little and says, “You’ve got great energy. Like you’re not trying to impress anyone.”
I blush, stupidly, and cringe for being such an easy mark.
But it’s been a long time since I’ve been looked at like I’mcool.
It’s not the way Ransom looks at me—like he’s remembering something, not seeing me for who I am.
“So…getting over a break-up?” he asks when I finish my wine.
“Yes.”
“So…I shouldn’t ask for your number?”
I exhale slowly. “I don’t think that would be a good idea.”
When I finally stand to leave, I thank him.
“For what?” he asks.
“For reminding me I’m not invisible.”
He tilts his head. “Ember, anyone who doesn’t see you is blind.”
I step out into the cold air, my cheeks warm from the wine, the engaging conversation—and, for the first time since last night, I don’t feel like crying.
CHAPTER 20
Ransom
