Page 27 of Hidden Depths

Despite her rising anxiety, she said, “Sure. Okay. Yeah.” She was determined to pass this test. “There’s a food truck near the shore not far from here. Their fish tacos are second to none.”

“The best news all day. I was hoping to eat well while I’m here, so finding a local who can lead the way is a big bonus to my stay.”

When they stepped outside, Tom huffed. “This sun.”

“You’re soft, do you know that?”

“Man, you locals are really tough on visitors. You can’t feel that?”

She grinned, then looked away with a frown. She was flirting. The last time she’d done that was when she was in college and her parents were alive.

But this was no college boy; this was a man, and the churning in her stomach that had been anxiety for that past five years had turned into something else.

“You okay?” he said, bumping her shoulder with his.

“I, uh…I don’t…”

“You’re uncomfortable?”

“No, it’s not that. It’s just…”

“Are you regretting saying yes to lunch?”

“No. Not at all. Thank you for asking, actually. It’s been a while since, uh…”

“Since you’ve finished a sentence?”

She laughed. “This is awkward. I don’t go on dates.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment. What made you say yes to me?”

“A decision I made to live my life more than I have in a while.”

“So I’m the lucky guy who asked you at the right time.”

“You may not think so later. I could be terrible company.”

“You’re doing okay so far. And there’s no pressure from me. I’m leaving in a few weeks. I have no agenda, so be yourself.”

“That’s not my problem.”

“What is your problem?”

“If you haven’t noticed, I’m not a great communicator. I don’t like opening up.”

“Good. Neither do I. So we can stick to the easy stuff. Like the weather.”

“I thought you didn’t want to talk about the weather anymore.”

“I don’t want to talk about cold rain. I like complaining about the heat.”

“You’ll be on your own there. It doesn’t bother me. But I’m sure you’ll get acclimatized in time to go back to Chicago and freeze.”

“I didn’t think of that. Now you’ve spoiled my day.”

“There you go. See? Terrible company.” She smiled when he laughed.

“If it makes you feel any better, I haven’t been on a date in a long time either.”

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