Fiona Farmingham clutched the edge of Chez La Ferme’s elegant tablecloth and wished she were home on the couch with her kids, eating popcorn and watching movies. Wearing sweats and slippers rather than heels and a dress and shapewear.
Based on tonight, at least, dating was way overrated.
“You should come see me in Cleveland,” Henry said loudly, forking braised lamb shank into his mouth. “We have restaurants that would put this place to shame. Really fancy.”
She forced her face into something resembling a smile and pushed her roasted vegetables around her plate, not daring to look around at all the Rescue River customers and waitstaff Henry had probably just offended.
A throat cleared a couple of tables away, and she glanced up. A soccer-dad friend, Eduardo Delgado, was looking over his date’s shoulder, smiling at Fiona with what looked like sympathy.
Her tight shoulders relaxed a little. Eduardo’s warm, friendly face reminded her of school parent nights and carpools and kids’ league games. Her normal life.
She was a little surprised to see Eduardo, a single parent who worked as a groundsman at Hinton Enterprises, dining at their small Ohio town’s only upscale restaurant. He never even bought himself nachos or a hot dog at the school concession stand, always relying on a cooler from home for himself and his two kids instead. She’d thought that meant he was economizing, but maybe he was just into eating healthy.
“Did you hear me?” Henry scooted his chair closer. “I have a nice big house. Six bedrooms and three-and-a-half bathrooms. You should come visit!”
Like that was going to happen. She channeled her society-perfect mother, who could out-polite the Queen of England, even managing a small smile. “With my kids, it’s hard for me to get away.”
“Yeah, four kids, that’s a lot!” Henry shook his head and attacked his spring pea risotto with vigor. She turned her chair half away and pretended to hear a sound from the evening bag she hadn’t used since attending society events with her late husband three years ago. She pulled out her cell phone and studied its blank screen. “Henry, I’m so sorry, but I think my kids need me.” Not a lie; kids always needed their parents, hers in particular. Right now, though, it was she who needed her kids.
“I thought you said you had a sitter. I was hoping we could spend more time together.”
“Thanks, but no, thanks. I really do have to go.” Fiona tried to keep her voice low, even though half the restaurant’s patrons had surely heard their discussion.
Why, oh, why had she let her friends Daisy and Susan talk her into online dating? But they’d both approved Henry’s profile, and he’d sounded nice on the phone.
She knew why: because she thought her kids might benefit from having a man in their lives. And, maybe a tiny bit, because she wished for a male companion who would care for her, even love her, just as she was.
Fat chance of that, fat being the operative word.
“Look, Fiona.” He gulped his drink and wiped a napkin across his mouth. “I wouldn’t have sprung for this expensive dinner if I’d known...”
Fiona stood and grabbed her purse, thankful she’d driven there in her own car. “Henry, it’s been...interesting to meet you.”
“Hey! You can’t just leave in the middle of—”
“Actually, I can.” She fumbled for her wallet. Why had she thought, for one minute, that she should try a relationship again?
“Can I help you?” Their waitress, a college-aged girl Fiona knew slightly, touched her forearm. Her curious expression made Fiona’s stomach twist.
She swallowed and lifted her chin, her mother’s training once again coming to her aid. “Thanks, yes, Mia. Separate checks, please, and I’m sure this will cover mine.” She extracted two twenties and handed them to the waitress. Then she turned, keeping her eyes on the front door. If she didn’t look to the right or the left, she could avoid the pitying stares that were surely coming her way.
“Oh, Mrs. Farmingham,” Mia called after her, “that’s way too much. You just had an appetizer and salad, and you didn’t even order a drink!”
Let the world know I’m dieting, would you? “It’s fine, keep the change.”
“Just hang on a minute.” It sounded like Henry’s mouth was full. “How much was it?”
Father God, please just let me get home, and I’ll forget about dating and just be happy being a mom. I’ll delete my online profile. I’ll avoid the matchmakers at the Senior Towers. She hurried away from the sound of Henry’s bargaining with poor Mia, toward freedom.
Outside, the spring breeze cooled her cheeks. With just an hour of daylight left, the setting sun was nestled in the clouds, turning the sky pink and gold.
She took deep breaths of the rich, fragrant farm-town air and reminded herself that she’d been through far worse than a bad date and had survived.
Behind her, she heard the restaurant door opening and the sound of voices, including Henry’s calling for her to wait.
She quickened her pace and stumbled a little. Slow down. This is embarrassing enough without you falling on your face. She reached her SUV, and the sight of her kids’ car seats, the snack bags scattered