“And what do you do, Zoe?”
“I’m a financial adviser,” she says. “I do math all day long.”
“Well, bless you, because math makes me break out in hives.”
“Someone has to do it,” Finn says with a smile, and easily steers the conversation to investments and stocks, which I try to keep up with, but my experience with the subject is limited.
Carter also participates and starts to loosen up, and at one point, actually puts his hand on Zoe’s shoulder, which I take as a good sign.
“How do you and Finn know each other, Carter?” Zoe asks, and takes a bite of her salad.
“Oh,” Carter says, surprised. He’s blinking, looking to Finn for help.
“Carter and I are brothers-in-law,” Finn replies smoothly. “He was married to my late sister.”
“I see.”
And just like that, Zoe completely shuts down. I can almost see the brick walls being constructed around her, and her eyes have gone cool.
She sets her napkin on the table and stands. “If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to visit the restroom.”
She walks away, and the guys both look around, dumbfounded.
“What did I say?” Finn asks.
“It’s okay. I’ll go talk to her.” I pat Finn’s arm and then follow Zoe into the women’s restroom. We’re the only two in there when I arrive, and Zoe is standing at the sink, leaning on the countertop, her head bowed.
“I take it Carter hadn’t gotten around to telling you that he’d been married before.”
She looks up at me with sad eyes. “No. He hadn’t.”
“And it looks like that’s a problem for you.”
She sighs and turns, resting her hips on the countertop now, and crosses her arms over her chest.
“Did he tell you he has a daughter?”
“Yes.”
At least he wasn’t a douchebag.
“And I don’t mean to sound petty,” Zoe says, shaking her head. “But I can’t compete with a ghost, London. I can accept a child, and if he were divorced, well, it happens all the time.
“But a widower? That’s tough because I don’t want to feel like I’m being compared to someone who isn’t here anymore. And if the way he’s acting is any indication, I don’t think he’s dated much, which only makes it worse.”
“I get it,” I reply with a nod. “I only just met Carter tonight, so I don’t know him, but Finn has always had great things to say about him.”
“He seems like a nice guy,” Zoe agrees. “That’s what sucks so badly. Do you know how hard it is to meet a nice guy in this city?”
“You’re preaching to the choir, sister. And for the record, I didn’t meet Finn here, I technically met him on Martha’s Vineyard.”
“Maybe I should move there,” she says with a sigh. “Should I just go home?”
“No.” I shake my head adamantly and pat her arm. “You’re here, and we’re nice people. Enjoy your dinner and the conversation, knowing that you don’t want anything more than being friendly acquaintances with Carter. That’s totally allowed.”
“You’re right.” She nods and checks her hair in the mirror. “Let’s go back out there.”
“Sorry,” I say when we get back to the table. “We got caught up talking about girl stuff. How is Gabby, Carter?”
He smiles, and relaxes a bit more. “She’s doing really well, thanks. She talks about you all the time.”
“She’s a sweet girl.”
Carter coughs, almost choking on his wine.
“Don’t tell me you don’t think she’s sweet.”
“She’s always been sweet,” he confirms, and looks to Finn for help.
“She’s just been a handful lately,” Finn adds.
“Well, I enjoyed her. I’d like to see her again.”
Our entrées are delivered, and the rest of dinner seems to be easier. Maybe it’s because Zoe has decided that Carter isn’t the man for her, I don’t know. But the atmosphere is lighter.
After dessert has come and gone, and I’m stuffed to the gills, Finn’s phone rings.
“It’s Quinn,” he says to Carter, who just shrugs. “This is Finn.”
He listens for a moment, his eyes narrowing, and I have a very bad feeling.
“Which hospital? Uh-huh. Carter and I just finished dinner. We’re not far from there. Yeah, we’re on our way.”
He hangs up and tucks his phone away, then waves our waitress down.
“What’s going on?” Carter asks.
“Mom’s in the hospital,” Finn says, his voice cold steel.
“What happened?” I ask.
“Quinn didn’t give me any specifics, just said we need to get there. I don’t know what’s happening.”
“I’ll take Zoe home and meet you there,” Carter says, but Zoe shakes her head no.
“I’ll grab a cab, Carter.” Carter frowns, but Zoe insists. “Really, it’s okay. You should go be with your family.”
“You’re absolutely sure?”
“Yes.” She smiles at all of us. “I’m sorry for the way it’s ending, but I had a nice evening.”
We wait to make sure Zoe is safely in a cab before we leave for the hospital.
“I want to know what’s going on,” Carter grumbles as he walks to his car.