He likes hiking, dogs, and air travel. He doesn’t love being in the same place too long.
He’s single.
He offers the information up in the form of an ex-girlfriend he went to Tokyo with a few months back. It’s subtle, but effective.
“It was a terrible trip, but I guess I can’t blame the city for our breakup; it was a long time coming.”
“I’m sorry,” I say.
“I’m not,” he says. “Who knows where I’d be now. One thing different, everything different.”
I fiddle with my wineglass, swallowing the remainder.
“Are you a dessert person?” Adam asks me.
I have a sweet tooth; I always have. I get it from my father. My mother never cared for sugar, and neither does Eric. “Give me a bag of pretzels over a bar of chocolate any day,” my mother used to say.
“Yes,” I say. “Definitely.”
“They have this berry torte that’s seasonal. I’m not sure it’s on the menu this year, but I think we can get Carlo to deliver us one.”
Sure enough, the berry torte idea is welcomed with enthusiasm, and then minutes later a delicate berry and cream concoction is delivered to our table.
“Ladies first,” Adam says, sliding it over to me.
I take a spoonful. It’s predictably divine.
“Ohmygod.”
He takes a bite, too. “I know.”
“I think this is the best thing I’ve ever tasted. I’m not kidding.”
Adam sits back and looks at me. Really looks at me. I feel his gaze on me like it’s a hand.
“You haven’t told me if there is anyone at home,” he says. He picks up an espresso cup that Carlo brought out with the dessert.
I swallow and down some water. I nod.
Adam raises his eyebrows. “So that’s a yes.”
“Yes, it’s a yes.”
“I can’t say I’m surprised.”
“What does that mean?”
He stares at me. His gaze seems to soften, lift. Like before where his palm was, now it’s just his fingertips. “You seem like the kind of woman who likes to belong to someone.”
I feel his words physically. They strike me right in the sternum.
“I was supposed to be on this trip with my mother,” I tell him. “She always loved Positano. She was here…” My voice trails off as I think about Carol, just today, seawater spraying off her on the boat, her mouth half-open, her eyes closed.
“What happened?” Adam says gently.
“She died,” I say. “And then everything that I knew went with her. My marriage…” Adam reacts but doesn’t say anything. “I don’t really know who I am anymore.”
“And you came here to find out?”
