Flirting with Fifty

Jack waited until their wine had been poured to ask about a subject that had been on his mind. “Let’s talk about us.”

Paige frowned and lightly tapped the stem of her wineglass with her finger. “You know, I didn’t fall into bed with people. I’ve never understood why you were the exception.”

“We had chemistry.”

Paige looked away, and then down into her wine goblet, anywhere but into Jack’s face. It was chemistry, she thought. It had been there thirty years ago and was still here humming between them. Chemistry. Law of attraction. Science.

Jack didn’t just represent sex. He represented something else as well. Light. Energy.

Possibility.

“What are you doing Sunday?” he asked.

Light, energy, possibility, heartbreak. Paige silently kicked herself, hating that she went there. Hating that she was so fearful. “Not sure,” she said. “Why?”

“I’ve heard about Crystal Cove and how there are some beautiful beach trails. Thought it’d be fun to go for a walk, or hike, whatever it is.”

“Crystal Cove is gorgeous. There are a couple different trails, some easy, some requiring more effort.”

“Feel like meeting me?”

“It would be a nice change from barre.” She smiled at him. “Unless you’d like to join me for a barre class?”

“I’d rather stick with a hike.”

“Can I give you a tentative yes?”

“Yes.”