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I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion, finding myself laughing at his outright reaction.
“As in dating or women, I don’t do it,” he clarified. “It’s too complicated and distracting.”
“Uh-huh,” I said in a singsong way, satisfied by the way it flustered him. It was rather entertaining being able to get under this hulk of man’s skin. I understood why his siblings picked on him. But also, if that was the truth, then I found it sad that he found women “complicated and distracting.” Then again, how could I comment, I was a serial dater. Well ex-serial dater. And dating had only become complicated because it never lead to anything more.
“You should give it a go, who knows maybe you’ll even like it.”
He grunted by way of response.
“I’ve dated heaps of guys,” I casually said, continuing the conversation. “And obviously none stuck around but I still met some amazing people and learnt new things. Maybe you shouldn’t put so much pressure on it and just see where it gets you. Maybe you’ll find an uncomplicated woman.”
He was quiet for a while. When I looked at him from the corner of my eye, it was obvious he was confused about something. “When you say you’ve dated a lot of men, you do it to have fun?”
This was traction. He was asking questions. And that was what I told everyone, it had covered time and been fun in the past. But it had also been a roller coaster when I liked someone who didn’t reciprocate the feelings—or attracting the same type of men who only wanted flings. I had told everyone it was just for fun and to pass time, and yet something compelled me to tell Eric otherwise, part of the truth perhaps. Probably because he didn’t know me and also because in the coming days we’d never see one another again. I wondered what this “non-dater’s” take might be on my truth.
“I tell everyone it’s for fun,” I admitted. “But the truth is, I’ve been looking for the love of my life the day I flew into Manhattan. Kind of corny right?”
He listened intently instead of laughing like I thought he might’ve.
“And I’m not even a hopeless romantic or anything, but there was a lot of pressure from my parents to go down a particular path. And I assumed if I were to create a life of my own and start my own family, I wouldn’t have to do that.” I contained my nerves, the mere thought of my parents and their “conditions” bubbling over.
“Why do I have a feeling you’re only telling me half the truth?” he queried as we stepped back toward the store.
“Because maybe I’m one of the complicated women you avoid,” I laughed lightly as I absentmindedly reached out to catch a snowflake. The snow had continued to pick up since we’d left the café. I wondered how foolish I sounded to him, but he said nothing.
“Do you really think you need a husband to prove yourself to your parents?” he asked and watched me intently.
I shrugged. “I’m not overly ambitious like my friends back in Manhattan. If you met Clover and Issobelle you’d be shocked as to how they could even be friends with me, we’re completely different. I don’t have goals and my parents never really expected anything of me because they’d already decided what was best for me. I just want to live a content life with people I love. Not be forced into a box that my parents decided for me. Sounds weird coming from a twenty-six-year-old, right?”
“I think everyone has their own pressures and there’s nothing wrong if you don’t have a career ambition. But don’t you think you do in a way, since you’re trying to pave your own path from your parents’ trajectory?”
I considered him, a smile spreading across my face. His words made me feel good in my decision. Almost brave. I’d felt like a spoilt brat for years. I didn’t have the same drive as my new friends in Manhattan, and all my old friends only cared about wealth and a good time. I sat somewhere in between, not entirely sure as to where I belonged anymore.
He opened the café door for me; no doubt we’d ended the town tour early because the snowfall had picked up too much. I was scattered and soaked, even more grateful for the added mittens and beanie Lori had let me borrow.
“Wise words,” I charmed. “And thank you for listening. I don’t know how we ended up talking about me, when we were talking about your love life?”
Thomas gasped, still swinging back and forth on the barstool. “My brother actually has a love life?”
“Shut it,” Eric growled.
Lori was reading a book and never looked up, but a smile toyed at her lips.
Thomas laughed, reaching out a hand to Shadow, who purposefully stepped wide so he couldn’t touch him. I realized then the truth the others had insinuated. Shadow was rather… was snobby the right word to use for him? He pranced behind his owner, the dog fully aware of his luscious coat. Perhaps picky was more accurate. An amused but heartfelt relief flooded me, liking the idea that I was one of few he’d taken a liking to.
“I think we should close up, boss,” Thomas said. “No one’s going to come in today. Not with this weather.”
“Remind me what work you were doing again?” Lori accused with a squinted gaze in his direction. “I’ll tell Mom you’ve been slacking off.”
“Not that she expects him to do anything,” Eric grumbled under his breath.
“Hey, I can’t help it if I’m the favorite,” Thomas defended.
“You’re the youngest,” Lori corrected.
“Therefore the favorite,” Thomas said teasingly as he patted the chair beside him, inviting me to sit next to him again. “But you two are his perfect little soldiers. Did you know these two come back this time every year to look over the shop and Mom while Dad and our uncle go south for hunting?”
I looked between Lori and Eric. “Really?” I said, intrigued. Although Eric had briefly mentioned it.
