“You haven’t been on a single date. Not even a bad date?”

“It was the anticipation of a bad date that stopped me dating again. After being married to Cliff, the last thing I wanted was another relationship. There were times when my marriage felt like one long bad date.”

So why hadn’t she left Cliff sooner?

No, she wasn’t going to ask that. It was too personal a question for such a public place. Anyone could be listening.

“You’ve had a crap time with Cliff,” Ashley said. “It’s time you had some fun. You deserve it. I’m not talking about bad dates, I’m talking about fun dates.” She reached across and stole another one of the strawberries that lay untouched in a bowl in front of Joanna.

“Ashley, stop!” Joanna sounded desperate. “The last thing I want at the moment is romance. I’m not interested.”

“That’s because you were married to Cliff for so long you’ve forgotten how to have a normal love life.” Ashley pushed the strawberries toward Joanna. “These are delicious. You should try one.”

“I’m not hungry.”

“Because seeing Nate has made your stomach all churny?” Maybe they should postpone internet dating. Maybe Joanna’s first date was right here in the café. “You felt something when you saw him. That’s interesting, don’t you think?”

“I don’t find it interesting. I find it—” Joanna breathed. “I appreciate what you’re trying to do, but I don’t want to date. I’m happy to leave Otter’s Nest, and not hide away—shop, do anything you want to do—but I don’t want to date. I can’t take it right now.”

“I don’t get it. You’re forty. Half your life is still ahead of you and you’re behaving as if it’s over.”

“Not over.” Joanna frowned. “But I don’t see dating playing a significant part in my future. I’m a failure in that direction.”

Ashley stared at her. “A failure? Are you kidding? You’re an inspiration.”

“I made a lot of bad choices. And I’ve spent half my life so far being unhappy over a man. I plan to spend the next few years being happy without one. You’re young. I don’t expect you to understand. You still believe in sunsets and happy-ever-afters. You think romance happens the way it does in the movies.”

Ashley looked at her. “Joanna, I’m pregnant by a man I’m not even officially dating. My father was a serial cheater and my mother had an affair with him while he was married to you. I think romance is misshapen. Bad things happen, I know that. But it doesn’t mean good things can’t happen, too. And dating doesn’t have to be something serious. Dating can be light and fun.”