Page 29 of Betting on Lizzie

“In a bit of a tizzy over his low-gravy diet,” she said, and he chuckled. “Actually, he’s good. He scared the crap out of us, but he’s already back to work. Part-time for now, but it’s amazing how fast he’s recovering.”

“I’m really glad to hear that.” His sincerity surprised her, which must have shown on her face. He cleared his throat and changed the subject. “Maya says you have a sister who travels a lot and has a social media channel?”

“Yes, Daisy. She flitted all over Europe for a good decade before settling down earlier this year.”

“Maya thinks I should watch her videos and start traveling.”

Lizzie raised an eyebrow.

“Well, to be clear, she actually thinks I have no life and is doing her level best to make one for me. Traveling was just one idea. I liked it better than starting a band or skydiving.”

“Is that true? That you have no life?”

“I’m evaluating that, but the simple answer is yes, it’s true. For so long, my main and only concern was raising Maya. Now that she’s about to leave me, I’m beginning to realize I was so busy doing that, I haven’t done anything else.”

“Including dating?” Had he really gone eighteen years without a girlfriend?

“I mean, I’ve dated a little here and there. No one serious enough to bring home.”

“Yikes.” That was pretty much all she did. For some reason, she took the information as a challenge. Not a challenge she would do anything about, but it just sort of hung in the air between them.

“Dating has apparently moved up her list of things I should be doing. Over Thanksgiving, she and my mom badgered me into signing up for an internet dating site.” He looked at her sharply to clarify. “I mean, she’s setting the whole thing up and managing it. I have no intention of actually meeting anyone from it, but I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it.”

“What do you mean?”

“Don’t think I’ll get many takers. When Maya was filling out the profile and asking me about things I like to do, hobbies, and all that, I realized my résumé was pretty weak. According to Maya, all I’ve got to offer is my looks and a job.”

Lizzie laughed. “Hey, that’s two more things than a lot of guys have.” She wouldn’t say it out loud, but his looks were definitely a plus. He was probably six years older than her but wore it well. Brown eyes, the color of the dark tequila he liked, strong jaw, nice body. No, not too shabby at all.

With a full belly and a slight buzz from the wine, she felt pretty good. Too good. Things were getting weird. It was time to go.

“Can I help with the dishes?” It was a courtesy offer she prayed he wouldn’t take her up on.

“Oh, no,” he said, shaking his head. “That will be the first layer of Maya’s penance. One of many.”

“All right.” She put on her jacket, and the beagle wandered over to say goodbye. “What’s your name, sweetie pie?” she cooed, bending to pet it again.

“That’s Jasper. You okay to drive?”

She stood. “I walked. I live in the Riverside complex, near the boardwalk. It’s not far.”

“Oh, yeah. I walk Jasper that way all the time. To the marina. I’m surprised I’ve never seen you.”

“When I’m working, I keep pretty weird hours.”

“Oh, sure. That reminds me, how’s your list coming?”

“Of ex-boyfriends? I’m on page three, but getting closer. I’ll email it to you.”

“How ’bout we meet for coffee to discuss it? I’m sure I’ll have questions.”

Lizzie blinked, thinking she must be tipsier than she thought. Was he asking her out? And so bad at it that she couldn’t tell? Or so good that it came off as work-related?

“Fine. The Drip 2.0 tomorrow at ten?”

“See you then.”

Shoving her hands in her pockets, she walked home in a hazy stupor, feeling something she hadn’t in forever. It wasn’t just the wine. It was a tug of longing. A hint of wistful feelings she’d buried long ago.

---