Timothy leans back in his seat. “Most of the time, yes.”
“I hear a but in there. Tell me more,” I say, grateful that we seem to have moved out of the awkwardness and into an easier conversation.
“My job is demanding. It doesn’t leave much time for this.” He waves his hand
between us. “Dating is difficult. My schedule is busy on a good day and chaotic—”
His words are cut off by the shrill sound of his cell ringing. It skids across the table with each vibration until he picks it up. He studies the screen and then looks at me.
“I’m sorry, I need to take this call. It’s work.”
“Please, by all means.”
He excuses himself from the table and waits until he’s out of earshot before answering. A few seconds later, a man approaches the table, tops off our water glasses, and hands me two menus.
“Good evening, my name is Ethan, I’ll be your waiter tonight. I apologize that it took me so long to get over here.”
Ethan is tall and lean with light blond hair and twin dimples that I’m certain earn him a hell of a lot of tips.
“It’s no problem at all.”
“Can I start you off with something to drink?”
“I’ll have a glass of merlot, please.”
“And for your husband?” He glances in the direction that Timothy walked.
“Oh, he isn’t my husband. And I have no idea what he likes to drink.”
“That’s okay. I’ll grab your merlot and check back in a few minutes.”
“Thank you.”
A few minutes pass, and by the time Ethan drops my wine off, there’s still no sign of Timothy.
“Sorry if I’m being nosy, but you said the man you’re here with isn’t your husband. Is he your brother by chance?”
“No, we’re on a blind date.”
Ethan frowns, casts a glance over his shoulder, and then looks back at me. “I’m going to check on my other tables. I’ll swing back by in a minute and maybe your date will be back.”
I hope. I look around, but there’s no sign of him. Maybe he had to head to the hospital, I think to myself at the same time I see him striding across the room.
He looks flustered as he pushes his fingers through his hair and sits down.
“Is everything okay?”
“With what?” He reaches for his water, takes a big gulp, and sets the glass on the table.
“Work?”
“Oh, that. Yes. Everything is fine.”
“Really? Because you were gone for a while. I thought maybe you had to go to the hospital or something.”
“Sorry. This is why I don’t get a chance to date much. My job is demanding. I’m on call a lot. I’ve got four women in labor as we speak, and as soon as I hung up the phone with the nurse, another call came through.”
“Wow. Are you sure you don’t need to go?”