I pick up the menu. “Have you eaten here before?”
“I have. You?” he asks, settling in the chair opposite me.
“First time.”
“You’ll love it. Usually reservations for this place book weeks in advance, but I was lucky.”
“What do you recommend?”
“The stuffed catfish is their signature dish and one of my favorites. It’s drizzled in a garlic parmesan sauce.”
“Yum, sounds delicious. I’ll have that.”
“You won’t be disappointed.”
After our orders are taken, we chitchat and discover we have common interests. We’re both Cancers and love watching zombie movies. Like me, Finn detests cauliflower, so he’s okay in my book. The food is brought to the table, and the conversation dies down. I eat a forkful of the succulent fish. My eyes flutter closed, and I moan as the flavor hits my taste buds. I open my eyes to find Finn watching me. His unwavering scrutiny makes me uncomfortable.
“Why are you staring at me?”
“You’re a beautiful woman.” He smiles, flaunting dimples.
My complexion hides my blush from his piercing perusal, and for that I am grateful.
“I wasn’t keen on a blind date, but now I’m happy Mia convinced me to come,” he says.
“How do you know her?”
“Through my sister, Maggie.”
I remember meeting Maggie once, a while ago. She and Mia used to work together at a department store during freshman and sophomore year. We eat and talk more. By the end of the meal, all my misgivings are gone. I’m having an awesome time, and there’s budding chemistry between us. Finn is a jokester, as Mia said, though some of his jokes are corny. It’s wonderful to genuinely laugh. Dom is still at the forefront of my mind, but not blaringly so. I become bold, elated at the prospect of expelling him completely from my thoughts. I’m done being miserable and feeling empty inside every day.
“Would you like to watch a zombie movie at my place?”
“Sure.” Finn readily accepts the invitation.
I watch the vibrant colors light up the sky as the sun sets while lounging in the wicker chair on Jensen’s wooden deck. Hunter rests comfortably in my lap. Sarah and the kids went to see a movie and will be arriving home any minute now. The girls asked to see Hunter today. I’m here or at my parents’ house more times than not. Hunter is the center of attention in the family. He will never lack love.
Jensen opens the screen door that leads to the kitchen and steps onto the patio, holding two beers. He gives me one, then sits beside me. Hunter’s little fingers and toes wiggle in excitement. He latches on to the cold bottle and tries to bring it to his mouth. For a seven-month-old baby, he’s strong.
“Whoa, buddy, this isn’t for you. Underage drinking is against the law.” I offer Hunter his pacifier instead, but he vehemently shakes his head and reaches for the bottle again. He just drank eight ounces of formula, so he can’t be hungry.
“That’s a baby for you.” Jensen chuckles. “Always wanting what they can’t have.”
I tickle Hunter’s soft belly and kiss his cheek. He giggles and releases a wet fart. I hope this isn’t another blowout. Yesterday, shit was everywhere.
“Whew!” Jensen covers his nose. “Rancid!”
I check his diaper. “He’s good.”
“You sure? He probably needs to see a specialist.”
“Hunter’s a stinker.” I ruffle his hair.
“Fatherhood suits you,” Jensen says, smiling ear to ear.
I dip my head in acknowledgment of his comment.
“I had a date last night.”
