He tossed lobster meat into the skillet, then followed soon after with the cooked linguine. I tried not to gag at the sight of the lobster; eating it would be just another new adventure in my new life, alongside leaving my marriage, dipping my toes back into employment and making friends outside my kids and my husband. I mean ex-husband—it was going to take a while to get the hang of calling Adrian that. Was it even the correct term until we’d officially divorced?

Pushing Adrian out of my head, I focused on watching Dan instead, which I had to admit was much more enjoyable. When the sauce had thickened and the pasta was coated, he spooned it into two bowls and then topped up our wineglasses. We took our dinner and drinks into the living room and sat down at opposite ends of the couch. I wasn’t sure if this felt more or less intimate than if we’d sat at the dining table.

‘Wow. This is …’ I was lost for words after tentatively tasting my first mouthful.

Dan looked at me expectantly as he wrapped linguine skilfully round his fork.

I bit my lip on a smile. ‘Is this where I confess I hate seafood?’

‘What?!’ The fork froze midway to his mouth and his eyes widened. ‘Why didn’t you say something?’

‘I didn’t want to offend you.’

‘You shouldn’t do things simply to make other people happy.’

His words rattled because that’s exactly what I’d been doing most of my life, certainly the years since I’d been a wife and a mother. But wasn’t that what having kids was all about?

‘I’m sorry.’ He reached for my plate. ‘I’ll whip up something else.’

‘No,’ I all but shrieked as I swatted his hand away. ‘Don’t you dare. I’m glad I didn’t say anything because while I agree we shouldn’t do things only to please others, we also sometimes need to be open to new experiences. If it wasn’t for you, I’d never have tried seafood again and discovered that maybe I like it. Or at least I like this.’

‘Really?’ Dan quirked an eyebrow. ‘You’re not just saying that?’

I shook my head. ‘I promise.’

He relaxed back into the couch and smiled. ‘Well, I’m glad to hear it. You’ve obviously never had it cooked properly before, but I do know how to make a good linguine, even if I do say so myself.’

I laughed.

‘And,’ he continued, ‘if you like this, then I promise there are all sorts of other seafood dishes you’d enjoy as well. Next time I’ll make you my famous fish pie.’

This time I did screw up my nose. ‘Let’s not get carried away—I’m not sure fish and pie should ever be combined. And won’t it be my turn to cook for you?’