“I could go for a glass of wine, I guess.”
We walk over and find two stools at the bar. We’re close enough to the gate that we’ll be able to see the boys come back.
“This is a huge airport. Do they have their phones? Knowing Ethan, he won’t stop until he finds exactly what he’s craving.”
“Yeah, they have their phones. They’re fine, and they have plenty of time to dillydally,” I say.
Alex smiles. “You’ve loosened up a lot with them.”
I can feel a scowl forming on my forehead. “I was never a helicopter mom. Anyway, they’re thirteen and fourteen now and Noah is an inch taller than me. I can’t really boss them around anymore.”
The bartender comes over. “What can I get you two?” he says.
“Separate tabs,” Alex jokes.
“Are you serious? You’re not gonna buy me a drink, Alex?”
“I’ll have that IPA on tap and whatever she wants,” Alex says.
“I’ll have the most expensive wine by the glass, please,” I say in a singsongy voice.
The bartender laughs. He’s attractive, also probably almosttwenty years younger than me, but who cares, I’m still going to flirt with him.
“You two know each other, I take it?” he says.
“He’s my ex-husband.” I say theexloudly and add a wink. The bartender laughs again.
Alex is smiling and shaking his head. When the bartender walks away, Alex clears his throat and sits up straight. It’s a self-conscious movement, which is rare for him.
“I always imagined you’d go for a silver-fox type,” he says.
“If you’re saying that because Lars is all gray, that is ridiculous.”
“I actually ran into him earlier today. He told me you guys are working together again.”
I want to respond, but I also want to see where Alex is going. “Oh yeah?” I say.
“I met his husband,” Alex says in a cool tone.
I laugh through my nose. “I didn’t know either. Would it have made a difference?”
“I don’t think so.” He’s looking right into my eyes.
“Me neither,” I say. “So, where did you see them?”
“Eataly.”
My knee-jerk reaction is to say,You went there without me? That’sourthing,but I hold my tongue. I’m sure he went with Kate. “Nice.”
The bartender brings the drinks over. “I like your tattoo,” I tell him, but I actually don’t. I’m trying to act like I don’t care that Alex took Kate to my favorite place in the world.
“Thanks,” the bartender says.
“What time are you off?” I wiggle my eyebrows and then burst out laughing. “I’m kidding, I’m sorry.” The guy knows he’s hot, so he’s not offended.
He and Alex are both laughing now. “I don’t know that I’ve ever waited on a divorced couple before. This has definitely made my day more entertaining, so thank you.”
“Dani, always trying to get a laugh,” Alex says.
