“There’s this little town not far from Santa Barbara, and every Sunday they have an artists' market that sets up at this beachside park. There are about 40 or so artists that come and display their work, and most of them are ocean and beach themed. It’s like a farmers’ market except it’s all art. I love it. They’re open for another three hours, so if we left now we could have two hours or so to wander around and look at all the pictures. I have a feeling that would help inspire the colors and look that you’re going for.”
“Oh, I love that idea,” she said, clasping her hands together.
“Then let’s go! There’s also a great little taco stand there where we can get a late lunch or early dinner, if you would like.”
“Oh, yum!” She said and glanced down at her clothes. “Should I change?”
“Not unless you want to," I said. “I think you look great.”
“Even for where we’re going?”
“Especially for where we’re going!”
“Perfect,” she said, her smile lighting up her face.
Ten minutes later we were in my car, with the top down, headed up the highway towards Santa Barbara.
“How did you discover this place?” she asked, yelling so that I could hear her above the wind.
“Um…” I said, looking out at the road ahead of me and feeling myself blush.
“Oh,” she said, laughing. “I get it. You went there with an ex-girlfriend.”
“Well,” I said. “I wouldn’t exactly call her my girlfriend, but I did go there on a date. I actually haven’t had a girlfriend since my sophomore year in college.”
“What?” Brenna said. “I must have misheard you.”
I laughed. “I’m serious. I haven’t had a girlfriend since then.”
“How is that possible?” she asked.
“I just wasn’t in a place where I wanted to have a relationship,” I said. “I was focused on getting into grad school, and then once I was in grad school I was focused on my internship. And then that was just about the time that Rylan came to live with me, and so he became my focus. I knew that I needed to concentrate on providing a safe and comfortable home for him, and that I wouldn’t have anything left to put into a relationship with a woman.”
“All of that makes sense,” Brenna said. “Now that things are going well with your career and you have settled into a goodroutine with Rylan, do you think you’ll ever want to be in a relationship?”
I nodded.
“Yes, I do, eventually. However, I have a son and he has to come first. Anyone I would have a relationship with would need to understand that, and would also need to be someone who I was very serious about. I am not going to just bring random people into his life. He has been through enough already.”
“Wow,” Brenna said. “You’re right. But if she’s the right person for you, she will understand all of that. And seriously, would you even want to date someone who didn’t appreciate what you have done for Rylan? That’s not someone I would want to even know!”
“You’re right,” I said, smiling. “I hadn’t ever really thought about it like that! What about you? Do you have a boyfriend?”
Brenna shook her head. “Nope!”
“When was the last time you dated someone?” I asked.
“Well…” she said, blushing. “If you mean went on a date with someone, it’s been about eight months or so. If you mean had a boyfriend, well… never.”
“Never!” I repeated. I was shocked. “You’ve never had a boyfriend? How is that possible?”
Brenna laughed.
“Good one. But it’s pretty simple. I was focused on school, and then I moved to the city and started teaching. I would meet people, but my priority was my job. And now I live here.”
“That makes sense,” I said. “But I’m sure you had several opportunities.”
She smiled and blushed, but didn’t say more, and I knew I was right.
