Page 17 of One Weekend in Seattle

Gabby glanced down at the table. Her cheeks heating. “At times.”

“Will you tell me what your dream man is like?”

She shook her head. He squeezed her fingers until she looked up at him.

“Please. I’d like to know.”

“A good listener would be one quality.”

***

Guilt rose in Sawyer. He hated that he hadn’t told her the truth, but he hadn’t lied either, only kept the information private.

“A man who knows how to share his life.” Her voice was soft.

“Share how?” This was interesting.

“I know men don’t like to share their feelings, but sometimes their partner needs to know if something is wrong.”

Sawyer cursed her ex-husband. Whatever their marriage had been like, the man had really done a number on her. Was there more to it than just the ex? “I agree with you.”

Her eyes widened. “I also expect honesty.”

Another hit to his conscience. “I do too.” He did, especially after he got rid of Gina, who lied to him constantly. That had gutted him, and now he was guilty of lying by omission. How could he justify what he’d left out about his life?

He shook the guilt away. Gabby would understand. He hoped. Women flocked to him because of his money and his looks, but none wanted to know him. More than anything, he wanted a woman who cared more for him as a partner than for his money. He was so tired of gold-diggers. Gabby was a refreshing change.

“See. A woman’s dream man.” She shifted in her seat. “What do you want in a woman?”

Sawyer was surprised by the question. “No one has ever asked me that before.”

“Will you tell me?”

He couldn’t exactly say. “Some of the qualities you mentioned. I would also expect fidelity.”

“That’s a given.”

Did he dare bare his soul to her? Something told him he was safe to do so. “I want a woman who sees me.”

She tilted her head. “I’m not sure what you mean.”

Well, he put his foot into it with that statement. He could just tell her, but it would probably ruin their day. It would wait. “Some, not all, women come to the club, see me, and figure I’m rolling in money.” Not that he wasn’t, but that would come out later.

“Shallow women.”

He laughed. “You’re so refreshing.”

“I’m serious. There’s more to a man than his pocketbook.”

He didn’t know how to respond and was grateful when the waiter showed up with their food. The smell of beef tickled his nose. “Ah, lunch.”

The food was placed on the table, and the waiter left. Gabby looked down at her food. “This is a small?”

“Irish have a different idea of small and large.”

“Thank goodness you didn’t order the large.” She picked up the big soup spoon that came with her meal and dug in. “Oh, my, goodness. This is delicious.” She took another bite.

Sawyer ignored his own food to watch Gabby. On her second bite, she closed her eyes. “This is so delicious. The spices combined with the gravy mix well. I never would have expected lamb and parsnips to taste this good together.”

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