Wallbanger(42)
“Yes, but not al women want the same thing. We don’t al want the picket fence.”
“Every woman I’ve ever dated has said she doesn’t, but then she does. And that’s cool—I get it—but with my schedule being so crazy, it got to
be very difficult for me to be involved with anyone who needed me to be something I’m not.”
“So you’ve never been in love?”
“I didn’t say that, did I?”
“So you have been in a relationship before, with just one woman?”
“Of course, but as I said, once my life became what it is today—the constant traveling—it’s hard to stay in love with that kind of guy. At least
that’s what my ex told me when she started dating some accountant. You know, wears a suit, carries a briefcase, home every night by six—it’s what
women seem to want.” He sighed, setting his coffee down and relaxing further into the couch. His words said he was okay with al this, but the
wistful look on his face said otherwise.
“It’s not what al women want,” I countered.
“Correction, it’s what the women I have dated al wanted. At least until now. That’s why what I have works great for me. These women I spend
my time with when I’m home? They’re great. They’re happy, I’m happy—why would I rock the boat?”
“Wel , you’re already down to two now, and I think you’d feel differently if the right woman came along. The right woman for you wouldn’t want
you to change anything about your life. She wouldn’t rock your boat, she’d jump right in and sail it with you.”
“You’re a romantic, aren’t you?” He leaned in, bumping my shoulder.
“I’m a practical romantic. I can actual y see some appeal in having a guy who travels a lot, because, frankly? I like my space. I also take up the
entire bed, so it’s difficult for me to sleep with anyone.” I shook my head rueful y, remembering how quickly I used to kick my one-nighters to the
curb. Some of my past wasn’t al that different from Simon’s. He just had his sexcapades tied up in a much neater package.
“A practical romantic. Interesting. So what about you? Dating anyone?” he asked.
“Nope, and I’m okay with that.”
“Real y?”
“Is it so hard to believe a hot, sexy woman with a great career doesn’t need a man to be happy?”
“First of al , bul y for you for cal ing yourself hot and sexy—because it’s true. It’s nice to see a woman give herself a compliment instead of
fishing for one. And second, I’m not talking about getting married here, I’m talking about dating. You know, hanging out? Casual y?”
“Are you asking me if I’m fucking anyone right now?” I shot at him, and he spluttered into his coffee.
“Definitely the strangest conversation I’ve ever had with a woman,” he muttered.
“A hot and sexy woman,” I reminded him.
“That’s for damn sure. So, how about you? Ever been in love?”
“This feels like an ABC mini-series, with al the coffee and the love talk,” I said. I might have been stal ing.
“Come on, let’s celebrate this moment in our lives.” He snorted, gesturing with his coffee mug.
“Have I ever been in love? Yes. Yes, I have.”
“And?”
“And nothing. It didn’t end in a very good way, but what ending is ever good? He changed, I changed, so I got out. That’s al .”
“You got out, like…”
“Nothing dramatic. He just wasn’t who I thought he was going to be,” I explained, setting my coffee down and playing with my hair.
“So what happened?”
“Oh, you know how it goes. We were together when I was a senior at Berkley, and he was finishing up law school. It started out great, and then
it wasn’t, and so I left. He did teach me how to rock climb, so I’m grateful for that.”
“A lawyer, huh?”
“Yep, and he wanted a little lawyer wife. I should have caught on when he referred to my future career plans as a ‘little decorating business.’ He
real y just wanted someone who looked good and picked up his shirts from the cleaners on time. Not for me.”
“I don’t know you that wel yet, but I can’t real y see you in the suburbs somewhere.”
“Ugh, me either. Nothing wrong with the ’burbs, just not for me.”
“You can’t move to the ’burbs. Who would bake for me?”
“Pfft, you just want to see me in my apron.”
“You have no idea,” he said, winking.
“It’s hard to get everything you need from one person. You know what I mean? Wait, of course you do. What was I thinking?” I laughed,