“Since we’ve acknowledged we like each other, there is one thing I want to get out in the open.”
“Oh, God. You’re not secretly married, are you? I once went out with a guy a few times before finding out he was married, and I felt horrible.”
“No, no, no! I’ve been divorced for quite some time now. But, speaking of being married, you are younger than me. At thirty, you still have plenty of time to start a family. If that’s something you want, I’m not your guy. I’ve already done all of that. I’m in a different phase of life entirely.”
She looks surprised.
“Sorry for being so blunt,” I continue, “but I don’t want you to waste your time, or for us get further down this road and you end up compromising something you want because of me.”
“Look, I live day to day taking care of my nana. Even when I go out with guys, I don’t ever let myself think too far ahead because it never works out anyway. When it comes to kids, I’ve never really imagined that for myself.”
This surprises me. She gives off so many maternal vibes I can’t imagine her not having kids. “Really? Why?”
“I don’t know. Maybe because my own mom was so awful it made me never want to be one. Maybe I babysat too many brats when I was a teenager. I’m not sure, but it’s never been high on my list of dreams for myself. Besides, I may not even be able to have them. My ovaries are covered in cysts, so it may be difficult regardless of what I want.”
“What is on your list of dreams for yourself?” I ask, looking intently into her eyes.
She sighs and sits back in the booth, her gaze trailing off. “I’d love to grow the antique business and maybe open another store in the Mobile area. I want to travel. Learn ballroom dancing.”
“Really?” I ask, giving her a look of surprise.
“Absolutely! I watch that dancing show on TV and it looks so fun.”
“What else?”
“Well, I don’t like to admit it, but I would like someone to share my life with. A partner.”
“Why don’t you want to admit that?”
“I don’t know. I guess I’ve never felt like it was going to happen, and I didn’t want to be disappointed if I ended up alone.”
“And now?”
Micah bites her lower lip for a moment. “Now, maybe I can see myself having that with you.” She says it almost like a question, squirming in her seat like a nervous kid.
“Same,” I say. “I’d love to share all of that with you.”
She tilts her head to the side, like she’s thinking of what to say next. “Rhodes, I really like you,” she finally says. “You’re the best man I’ve ever gone out with. I’d like to see where this is going. I’m not worried about your age, or kids, or any of that right now. Besides, age is just a number.”
“Well,” I say, “I’ll concede if you agree your size is also just a number, and it’s one I have absolutely no concern about. You are perfect as you are.” I know I’ve struck a nerve, because her eyes start to water.
“No one has ever talked to me like this before.”
“Like what? Kindly?”
“Yes,” she says in all earnestness, nodding her head. “Not a guy, anyway. I’m never the girl a guy wants to settle down with.”
I reach across the table and grab her hands in mine. Her face softens and she rubs her thumbs across my knuckles. I wish I could stop time and save this moment forever.
Our perfect, beautiful connection is interrupted by our food arriving. It smells delicious, and we order one more round of drinks before digging in. Once we start eating, I change the subject and tell her about all the steps we have in the restoration and fill her in on some other prospective projects I have all over the South.
“Hopefully the next several months will be busy,” I say.
“How long do you think it’ll take for the hotel to be finished?” she asks.
“We’re looking at a year and a half, weather depending. The biggest thing is going to be fixing the foundation on the east wing. We basically have to remove a massive wooden beam from the bottom of the structure, hold the building up, and replace it without the side of the hotel falling off.”
“After that, you’re done with Magnolia Row?”
