Page 16 of Claiming His Wife
When he caught sight of her five-foot-seven frame, he had jolted to his feet, scraping the chair back in his enthusiasm. She was dressed in a pink floral dress, which came to just above her knees, and a white jean jacket.
“You're here.”
“Was there any doubt?" she replied testily. Yes, there were doubts. Doubts that she would’ve changed her mind.
“No, please sit.” He answered as he pulled out a chair for her and settled back down in his previously occupied chair.
“So, how does one go about dating their own husband, albeit for only three months?” she started when she had settled into the wicker chair.
“You can begin by telling me about yourself, Madame Anderson,” he offered with a wry smile as he took a sip from his coffee.
“You can’t be serious. You know who I am.”
“I am serious, and besides, we haven’t seen each other in years. I want to know more about the woman you are now. Tell me about your life in Seattle and about your school, or even about your hobbies. Je veux tout savoir.”
“Really?” Her brow arched. He could tell that he had surprised her.
“Yes, really. Now, tell me about yourself, wife.” She gave him a death stare.
Before she could respond to him, the waiter came over to their table and took their orders. After the waiter left to handle their orders Finn continued, “Now, where were we?” He snapped his fingers. “Oh yeah, you were about to tell me all about your life.”
And so, the date began. He could tell that she was hesitant at first, but then she finally began to open up a bit. She told him about the small apartment (with no doorman or elevator) she had leased, her school and the few friends she’d made within months of moving to Seattle. She also told him about the degree she completed in Social Work.
“Wow! A degree in Social Work.”
“It’s been a dream of mine for as long as I could remember.”
“I know.”
Their food was brought to their table, and the flow of conversation from her end never ceased.
He asked a few questions here and there when he wanted to understand something more clearly. She must have realized that she was doing most of the talking, because she shifted the focus unto him.
“How’s work? Father is bursting with pride over what you have done with the company.”
“It's a living,” he responded easily. “Did you partake in any other activities while in school?”
“I volunteered, mostly at the nearby homeless shelter for women, whenever I had a break from school.” She smiled, and he saw the happiness in her eyes. “I’ve met many amazing people through my humanitarian work, and I have many fond memories. I also have memories I wish I could forget. You wouldn’t believe it if I told you that a high percentage of the population are just a paycheck away from being homeless. We have so much, and there are people out there with nothing.”
“Wow, Lilah, you’ve done so much for the world.” He was very proud of her. “What do you intend to do with your degree now that you’re a graduate?" He could tell the question had both shocked and pleased her.
“I’ve been thinking of opening my own shelter for homeless women and young mothers, but for now I’ll stick to volunteering at different shelters. I want to gain more experience and find out what’s lacking in the services being provided. I have no need to have a paying job, as it may be taking a job and salary away from someone else that needs it more than me. I just want to make a difference, no matter how small.”
“That’s very thoughtful and admirable of you. I’ve never thought about it that way. I’m proud of the woman you’ve become, Lilah. You did it on your own, and I couldn’t be prouder of you. I think you should go ahead and open the shelter, and I’ll help you in whatever way I can.” He truly meant it. He recently acquired an apartment complex that needed some TLC, and he would happily give it to her if she was truly serious about helping people who were less fortunate than them. He loved her, and if having her own organization where she made a difference would make her happy, then he’d see that she got it.
“Thank you. So, any altruistic reasons for being in real estate?”
“Just playing the demand and supply game,” he answered.
“And playing it well I see. I believe it has to be more than that.” As a kid he had watched HGTV. Unlike other kids, who watched cartoons, he’d preferred to watch TV shows where people got matched to their dream homes.
When he still didn’t answer, she prompted, “So?"
“It's the thrill of matching the perfect land to the perfect use. It's like filling the perfect puzzle. It doesn't hurt when I make a load of cash from that too. Satisfied customers are a beautiful thing.”
“I'll bet,” she replied. And another silence descended on the table.
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