“It’s their loss then.” The sincerity of his tone causes a shiver to radiate throughout my body.
“I love white roses,” I tell him. “They’re so pristine and pure looking.”
“White roses traditionally stand for new beginnings.” There’s a glint in Thomas’s eyes that makes me shiver. “And thisisour first date.”
“Yes, but if you’re thinking about leaving Elk Lake, what’s the point of having a second date?” It hurts to even ask that question, but not as much as it would hurt if I fell for the guy and he left me. There’s no way I can live in a city like New York. I don’t know how his sister manages it, but I know I never could.
“I thought we were trusting the right thing would happen between us,” he says.
I raise my left eyebrow to show my skepticism. But instead of vocalizing it, I tell him, “Prove to me that it’s the right thing to do.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
THOMAS
The candlelight glistens against the golden highlights of Finley’s hair. She looks positively gorgeous tonight. “Let’s pretend neither of us know what lies ahead and just enjoy tonight for what it is,” I tell her. “Our first, of what I hope will be many, dates.”
Finley removes her napkin from between her silverware and puts it on her lap. “I’ll try.”
The waiter comes over and greets us before asking, “May I bring you something from the bar to start?”
Picking up the wine list, I ask my date, “How about a glass of champagne? We are celebrating after all.”
She nods her head slowly. “That sounds very nice, thank you.”
I order a bottle and when the waiter leaves, I tell Finley, “If I hadn’t met you, I’d already be on my way back to New York.”
“I find that hard to believe,” she says. I notice her looking at my sweater as she reaches out her hand and rests it on my forearm. Within moments she’s petting me.
I want to tell her that I like it when she touches me, but I’m afraid if I draw attention to it, she might stop. So, instead, I say, “I’m not lying to you. Getting to know you has been the highlight of being here. You are a big part of my trying to make a go of life in Elk Lake.”
She blushes delicately. “Thank you.”
“Thankyou.”
Leaning toward me, she says, “You make me feel more special than any man ever has. I’m not sure I know how to process that.”
“You deserve nothing but the best.”
The waiter comes back and presents the bottle. Once it’s opened and assessed, he pours our glasses while telling us the specials. Finley orders the halibut with roasted asparagus and fingerling potatoes. I get the prime rib with mashed potatoes.
I can tell Finley wants to tell the waiter something, but she seems hesitant. That’s when I turn to our server and say, “I’d appreciate it if you could make sure the asparagus and potatoes on my date’s plate aren’t touching each other, or the fish, for that matter.”
He looks at me like I’m a controlling lunatic, but at the same time I feel the pressure of Finley’s hand as she squeezes my arm. “Thank you,” she whispers.
When the waiter walks away, I smile at her. “Any time.”
“Tell me more about your parents,” Finley says.
I lean back in my chair which causes her hand to slip off my arm.Darn it. “My dad is a retired cardiologist. He worked at the same hospital I used to.”
“What about your mom?”
“She stayed home and raised my sister and me,” I tell her. “While other people had nannies shuttling their kids all around the city for various activities, my mom was determined to beour main caretaker. Her motivation increased when Vivie was diagnosed.”
“My mom did the same,” she says. “She also tended the garden, the chickens, and canned most of our food for the winter.”
I try to imagine my mother gardening and I can’t. Our farm fresh food came from the Union Square farmers’ market, and our flowers came from the bodega on the corner. “That sounds like a wonderful way to grow up,” I tell her.
