Free Ringing in Love by Peggy Bird Page B

but as she did, Noah pulled at the latch again. She zapped and he yanked at the same time a second time. After the third unsuccessful try, she asked him to step away from the back of the car so she could get it open. He threw her a black look but complied. This time when she zapped, the hatch opened.
    Noah threw his cleats and team sweatshirt into the back. Catherine loaded her chair. They got into the car for the long, silent drive home.
    • • •
    Catherine was beginning to believe Dominic came in at the same time she did every morning on purpose. It was too coincidental that she ran into him in the lobby of the building almost every day, or that he walked into the coffee bar as she was ordering her latte before going up to her office.
    On this particular Monday, she crossed paths with him in the coffee shop. His smile was as warm as the temperature outside and much more welcome.
    “How’d Noah’s team do in the tournament?” he asked.
    “They aced the first game and came close to winning their semifinal round. Lost by one goal in the last minute.”
    “Noah must have been disappointed.”
    “Disappointed and angry at me.”
    “You? What did you do? Flirt with the coach so he was too distracted to do his job? You could certainly distract me.”
    Catherine tsked her displeasure, making his smile even bigger.
    He touched her elbow, directing her to a table. “I have ten minutes to hear this story. Do you have ten to tell me?”
    She nodded, deciding she might as well prepare him now for what was going to happen on Friday. “I guess so. Particularly since it involves you, too.”
    “To the best of my knowledge I’ve never been responsible for a soccer team losing a game. Come to think of it, I’ve never flirted with a soccer coach either.”
    “And neither have I.” She played with the sleeve on the cup, trying to sort out what she wanted to say. “On the way to the game, I told Noah I’d had a lunch date on Friday and would have a dinner date this Friday. He was not amused and implied I was cheating on his father.”
    “I’m curious how one cheats on an ex-spouse.”
    “It seems Noah still thinks there’s a chance his dad and I will get back together. And if I’m having dinner with ‘some guy,’ as he put it, it’s being untrue to his fantasy.”
    “It’s not uncommon with kids, is it, to want their parents back together?”
    “No, but we’ve had this conversation dozens of times. Both his father and I have told him it’s not going to happen. I don’t want it, and his father’s wife might find it inconvenient at the very least. I thought it was a moot point.”
    “How’s he dealt with the other men you’ve been out with?”
    There was an uncomfortable silence. “Well, that’s probably part of the problem. I haven’t been out with anyone since the divorce.”
    “I know you said you didn’t really have much of a social life, but it’s hard to believe there’s been no one at all.”
    “There hasn’t been. Not unless you count women friends, sisters, and a son.”
    This time the silence came from Dominic’s side of the table, as he seemed to be digesting what he’d heard. He shook his head. “What’s wrong with all the men you’ve met? I assumed you had them standing in line waiting to ask you out.”
    “It’s not them, it’s me.”
    He shuddered. “Please. Not that line. It’s too reminiscent of a bad breakup.”
    “Did you hear it or use it?” She couldn’t help laughing at his attempt to lighten the conversation.
    “Sadly, heard it. Never used it, never will.” He touched her hand. “But explain to me why you’ve turned down chances to have a social life.”
    “I had a son to raise and a business to grow. Which took all the energy I had. Besides, there hasn’t been anyone interested. Even if there had been, it wouldn’t have made a difference.”
    He cocked his head and frowned. “I’m not sure I should ask this, but I will. Why did you say yes to me, then?