Page 32 of The Rules of Dating My One-Night Stand

“So youwantto find someone to spend your life with?”

“I do. But I’m not in any rush. I couldn’t care less if I get married or have kids. But I do want a connection with someone—the right person. It can’t be forced, just because you feel like you’re at a certain age or need to keep up with your friends.” He looked beyond me for a moment. “I think I changed a lot after our friend Ryan passed away. Part of me died with him. And that might have something to do with the funk I’d been in for so long. It made me more apathetic and closed off.” Owen shut his eyes for a moment. “All this to say, no one I’d met in all that time did it for me. Until you.”

My heart fluttered. Owen and I were more similar than I’d thought. “Marriage and kids are not something I need to be fulfilled, either,” I said. “I have a great career that I’m very proud of and don’t need all that much more. I get annoyed when people assert that you need to have those things to be happy. I think part of the reason I’ve hung onto whatever I had going with the actor I told you about is that I haven’t wanted anything complicated.”

“Have you ever been in love?” Owen asked.

“No. And I don’t know if I’m capable, to be honest.”

He frowned. “Really?”

“I’d prefer not to get into it right now, but basically my family life—or lack thereof—trained me not to get too attached to anyone.”

Owen nodded and didn’t push for more. “I’ve never been in love, either,” he said. “All of my friends have been at one time or another. And I’ve felt happy for them—don’t get me wrong. But I’ve also felt detached from their joy, because of my own hang-ups.”

“Well, aren’t we just a cheery pair?” I grinned.

He pressed the tips of his fingers together as he leaned his elbows on the table. “It’s nice to have an honest conversation with someone. Even if you’re not telling me everything, I appreciate how much you’ve opened up.”

I stared over at his masculine hands, trying not to remember the way it had felt when they explored my body.

The waitress came by again. “Can I offer you some dessert?”

“I’m pretty full.” Owen turned to me. “We still have time, though. You should get something.”

I held out my palm. “I shouldn’t…”

The waitress set a piece of paper on the table. “Well, here’s the menu just in case.”

One glance was all it took. “Actually, yes,” I told her. “I would like dessert.”

Owen chuckled. “That changed fast.”

“Well, there’s Key lime pie on the menu. I never turn down Key lime pie.Ever.”

“One Key lime pie coming up,” the waitress said.

Owen smiled. “You like it that much, huh?”

“It’s the one thing I can’t say no to.”

“Well, maybe I need to take some lessons from Key lime pie,” he teased.

A minute later, when she placed the perfect lime-green triangle in front of me with just the right amount of whipped cream, I dug in. I sighed as the tangy concoction entered my mouth. I might also have moaned.

“Wow,” Owen murmured. “I have to say, watching you eat that is quite satisfying.”

I held out my fork. “Have some.”

He shook his head. “There’s no way I’ll appreciate that bite as much as you will. Please, finish it. I’m enjoying every second.”

I gestured with my fork. “Is that like a fetish or something? Watching me eat dessert?”

“I wouldn’t have thought so until today…” He grinned mischievously. “But I’m down for pie porn.”

I laughed and stuffed another bite into my mouth. I finished every last morsel.

After Owen paid the bill, he checked his phone. “I have a client meeting at two. But damn, I could stay here all day and talk to you. I’d definitely get you another slice of that pie, too.”

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