I was laughing so hard I thought I might choke. But my stomach turned over at the mere thought of attempting to mishmash a bunch of families together.
He smiled. “It’s your turn. I told you my sad story.”
I sighed. “Fine. Greg traded in his Suburban with the TVs in the headrests”—I pointed at myself—“for a Maserati with the top down.”
Price nodded.
“Wagner. About to turn nine. The love of my life. I only technically have him every other week, but I made my ex move next door so I can see him every day no matter whose week it is.” It sounded better when I framed it like that instead of that I had somehow gotten swindled into it by Brooke.
“You want more?”
I shrugged. “I’m not opposed to it, but I’m not married to it either.” I paused. “Wait. More time or more babies?”
He laughed. “Babies.”
“Oh, okay. Do you want more babies?”
“I think the world is made for even numbers. Four children seems right.”
That was funny. Marcy always said the world was made for even numbers too.
The rest of the day passed just as gloriously, hiking in the mountains and perusing Blowing Rock’s charming downtown.
The one chink in the armor? A harmless-seeming beep from my cell phone. One little beep. Or maybe it wasn’t thebeep so much as what it signified.I’m sorry about last week. I meant what I said, but I shouldn’t have gotten so mad at you. I really do hope you find what you’re looking for.
My heart sank.
“What’s up?” Price asked.
“Nothing,” I said casually.
I was all ready for our dinner, hair fixed, makeup on, and dressed. Price, with his mussed hair and goofy grin, had just woken up from a nap.
I kissed him, trying to erase that text message from my brain. “Hey,” I said, “I’m going to go for a quick walk around the property while you get spiffy for dinner.”
He wrapped his arms around me and nuzzled my neck. “Don’t you want to just order room service?”
“You have been so excited about this tasting menu,” I said. “I’m not going to let you miss that.”
“What I’m excited about is you. I don’t care a thing about what I eat.”
I shrugged. “Shame to waste this dress?”
He nodded. “Oh yes.”
I smiled and kissed him. He was so damn cute. But I felt like something was missing. And I felt like I needed some air. “Perfect.”
Ididneed to call and check on Wagner. Afterward, I sat down on a bench by the small farm, rubbing my arms against the chilly night air. In a cabin over there was a man I couldn’t have even dreamed up, he was so right for me. So why did I feel so conflicted? I watched the sun as it made its descent, sogloriously beautiful that it blocked out the confusion in my head.
My mother never missed a sunset. She loved them all. I sighed. She would have known what to do in this situation. I closed my eyes and tried to imagine what she would have told me. She would have loved Price. He was son-in-law material.
But this was ultimately my decision; I was on my own now. Andrew’sI hope you find what you’re looking forkept running through my mind.
Half an hour later, Price ordered the Mast Farm’s finest champagne, and I couldn’t help but be taken with him, not because he could order fine champagne, but because he was this walking billboard fordon’t take yourself too seriouslyandseize the day. He had come to me when I needed to be reminded of both.
“Let’s order for each other,” he said.
“What?”
