Page 2 of Finally Moore

She hasn’t been on her cellallnight, but I have noticed how her entire demeanor changes the few instances when she’s had to reach for it. With how wonderful everything else has been going, at first I ignored it, figuring it’s not really any of my business. I know.Bad Scott. But I can’t help myself. This girl is incredible and I don’t want to put a damper on what’s been a great evening by asking a question I’m sure I don’t want to know the answer to. Yet it also seems like I’m a glutton for punishment.

“Yeah… I mean, no.” She grabs her half-full glass of pinot noir and swallows it down. “I swear I never go out—like ever. I’ve basically been locked in my home for the past ten years.”

Oh my god, was she being held captive?is my immediate thought before I tell myself to calm down. This isn’t some episode ofDateline.

“And it figures that the first time I go out, my daughter spikes a fever.”

“Daughter?” I spit out my drink a little. Not enough to be noticeable but enough for me to have to reach for my napkin and swipe at my mouth.

“Yeah, Meghan, my youngest. I love her, but she’s famous for terrible timing.”

“Youngest?”

In all our conversations, Amanda hasn’t once mentioned—evenhintedabout—being a mother of one child, let alone multiplechildren. Alarm bells sound in the back of my mind, as the gong dings and common sense throws down a major red flag. I have nothing against kids. I love them and hope to have many one day, even if they aren’t biologically mine. So, the fact she has children isn’t a deal-breaker for me. No, what’s got the hair on the back of my neck standing on end is the realization that she didn’t tell me. I thought she and I were looking for the same thing, a relationship. The only reason I can think of to not tell someone that you’re a parent is if you’re just looking to get laid or for something casual.

Amanda pulls up a picture on her phone, smiling when she turns the screen to me as if there is nothing wrong with this situation. “Yup, I’ve got three amazing babies.” She points to each one. “Meghan, Amber, and my eldest, Nolan.”

“I can see why you don’t get out much.” I pour myself another glass of pinot, thankful that the waitress had the foresight to leave the bottle—maybe she knew something I didn’t.

“Yeah.” Amanda lets out a nervous chuckle. “I’m sorry… I should’ve mentioned them. This is all new to me and I don’t exactly know the protocol. Based on you looking like you just saw the Ghost of Christmas Past, I clearly see I missed the mark on this one. But I truly thought it would be better to meet you first and tell you face-to-face. Gauge your reaction in person, rather than try to interpret it over text. I know it was a risk. Most guys probably wouldn’t want to date some middle-aged woman with not just one, but three kids. That being said…” She reaches across the table and takes my hand. “I got the sense you were different.” She smiles, and I find it hard to not return the gesture.

“That makes sense.”I mean, I get it.Guys, well, people in general can be assholes. Most would either ghost her the second she told them or get in her pants and hightail it the next morning. I can’t even imagine how hard it must be for a single mom to get out there and try to connect with someone.

Amanda resumes her angry texting, huffing at the screen before peering back up at me. “Sorry, my husband is just worthless without me. First, he panics because our daughter has a fever and asks if he should bring her to the ER. So I ask him what her temperature is, and it’s only like ninety-nine degrees? Which is nothing to worry about, especially when she has no other symptoms, so I tell him to give her some Tylenol and see how she’s doing in an hour. You’d think that would solve it. But, nope, next it’s questions about where the Tylenol is located and if Motrin would be better…”

I stare, a little dumbfounded. It’s almost as if she was swapped out with a stunt double the moment I stepped off to find the restroom.

Red flag number two. Though this one is waving a little more vigorously.

“Husband?” Out of her entire rant, it’s the only word that resonated with me.Husband?

“Ex…” she corrects herself. “Well, almost.”

Damn it. And there it is. The one thing I can’t ignore. Strike three and she’s out of here.

“I mean, we’re separated and all. Mostly. The kids don’t know yet. He still lives in the house. We thought it would be easier if we—”

“Can I bring y’all the dessert menu?” our server asks, oblivious to the shitstorm she just stepped into.

“Check please,” I say before Amanda has a chance to respond.

The server looks between us, then smiles. “Sure, I’ll be right back.”

“Is there a problem?” the woman—who I thought was the girl of my dreams but instead crushes them—has the audacity to ask.

“Look, Amanda, you’re great… Really…” I start, and she smiles at me. “But this isn’t going to work for me.”

“It’s the kids, isn’t it?” Her eyes drop to her phone as she fiddles with the case.

“No, it’s the still being married and living with your husband. I won’t pretend to know anything about what your situation is like. Honestly, I’m not judging you. But I meant what I said in my profile. I’m looking for something serious… long-term—hopefully forever. It feels like you have a lot on your plate, and I’m not sure dating is the best idea right now. At least not for me.”

Her shoulders sag. “I know. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t apologize. Like I said, you’re great… perfect. But our timing doesn’t feel right. Who knows? Maybe when things are a bit more settled on your end and if we’re both still free… we can try this again?”

“I’d like that.” She grins. We both stand, and I’m probably going to regret this but I feel compelled to hug her, then press a soft kiss on her cheek. This time, when she gazes up and smiles, it doesn’t quite reach her deep-brown eyes. “But it won’t happen. You’re amazing, Scott. There’s no way someone doesn’t snatch you up.”

I laugh as my thoughts wander to all my failed dating attempts over the past year. “I promise… the chances of me finding someone as great as you… are slim to none.”

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