Moonlight over Manhattan (From Manhattan with Love 6)

“Nothing.” Why on earth had she mentioned that? That particular detail of her life was far too personal to share with a stranger.

“You weren’t dating because you wanted to meet someone?”

“In a way, but it was more about doing something I found difficult. I went on three dates.”

“And on the last one you escaped through the window.” His eyes gleamed. “That sounds like quite a challenge. Three dates, and not one of the men were interesting?”

“I’m sure there are women out there who would have found them interesting.” Maybe the problem lay with her. She wasn’t good on dates. Especially not first dates. When she didn’t know someone she found it almost impossible to relax. Maybe, if she could conquer her initial shyness in a first date she might be able to make it through to a second date and possibly even a third.

“But you still met up with them.”

“Once. No second dates.”

“Three evenings of your life you’ll never get back. But you made yourself do it. Are you always this hard on yourself?”

“Plenty of people use internet dating. In today’s world where it’s hard to meet anyone, it’s a legitimate way to find a partner.”

“Maybe, but you found it hard. So I wonder why you didn’t find another way.”

“That’s why. Because I found it hard. That’s why I’m doing this. Normally I live life in my comfort zone.”

“Most people do. Is there anything wrong with being in your comfort zone?”

“If you don’t push yourself to do the things that scare you, how will you ever find out if there’s more to life than the one you’re living?” She felt heat warm her cheeks. This conversation was becoming far deeper than she’d intended. Talking to strangers wasn’t something she was good at. Confiding in strangers wasn’t something she ever did.

The only person she’d discussed Challenge Harriet with was Glenys.

He gave her a speculative look. “Good point. And now you’re making me wonder if I should rethink my life.”

“You’re mocking me.”

“No.” There was no sign of mockery in his eyes. “Most of us wake up in the morning and do the same thing we always do. Follow the same habits. Most people hate change, and only do it when it’s forced on them. You are actively embracing it.”

“I wouldn’t exactly say I’m embracing it,” Harriet muttered. “That implies that I’m running forward into change enthusiastically. I’m forcing myself kicking and screaming, looking for excuses to back out and generally struggling all the way.”

“But you’re doing it.” He topped off her glass and did the same with his own. “Doing something you don’t want to do takes self-discipline. I’m impressed.”

He was impressed? “You’re a doctor. You save lives every single day.”

“I thought you weren’t impressed by doctors.”

“That isn’t what I said. I said that being a doctor didn’t increase your appeal as dating material.”

“I feel thoroughly put in my place. If I ever thought being a doctor might earn me bonus points, I stand corrected.” But he seemed amused rather than offended. “Thanks to you, I wouldn’t even have the courage to use a dating app now. My confidence is wrecked.”

He didn’t look as if his confidence had ever suffered even the slightest dent.

“People whose confidence is wrecked don’t smile the way you’re smiling. I bet you’ve never suffered a single confidence wobble in your life.”

“You’d be surprised. So what sort of man would be high on your list as a potential date?”

“Someone who shows interest in something, and someone, other than themselves I suppose.”

Which he was doing.

Since he’d sat down at the table he’d done nothing but ask questions about her, something not one of her three dates had done. And he looked at her while he asked the questions, as if he was genuinely interested in hearing her answer.

She had to keep reminding herself that this wasn’t a date. Which made the situation all the more ironic. None of her dates had been as interesting as this non-date. None of the men she’d met had captured her attention the way Ethan Black did. And if none of them had also caused that little kick in her pulse rate or that rush of sensation across her nerve endings she chose to ignore that.