“I do have another question, but it’s one of those questions that can really kill the mood on a first date, because it’s not really a first-date question at all. And I’m really not looking for a wrong or right answer. I’m just curious. Perhaps too much so.”

“I will reply as truthfully as I can.” Mia shuffled around in her seat. Lou really was trying to psychoanalyze her tonight, it seemed.

“Do you want children?” She didn’t flinch when she asked it, and it seemed to Mia there was very much a right or wrong answer—especially because of what Lou had said earlier about why she and Angie had split.

“That’s a big one.”

“I know. I kind of feel sorry for asking it already.”

“Because you’re afraid of what I’m going to say? That it won’t be what you’ll want to hear?”

“Because I’m thinking about a million steps ahead of what I should be thinking right now.”

“And you don’t want to waste your precious time on someone who doesn’t want to have children with you.”

“Which is ridiculously presumptuous on a first date.” Lou held up her hands. “I withdraw the question. Can I do that?”

Mia chuckled. “You can. But that way you won’t get to hear my answer.”

“I don’t want to hear your answer, Mia. It doesn’t matter right now. We’re having a lovely evening. I was out of line. It’s none of my business what you want to do with your life.”

“Maybe I’ll tell you on our second date, then.”

“If you want to go on one after all this.” Lou hid her face behind her hands.

“Well, you’ve already instructed me to cook you dinner, so I guess it’s going to happen either way.” Mia got a lot of glee out of winding Lou up.

Lou shook her head. “I really exasperate myself sometimes, what with this knack I have for saying the wrong thing at the most inopportune moment.”

“This wouldn’t be a very successful first date without any mishaps. Besides, your question really wasn’t that bad. It just shows me some of your personality and leaves me with absolutely no doubts about what you want in life.” She smiled softly. “And let’s just say I might very well want some of the exact same things.”

“So I didn’t scare you away?” Lou asked, peeking through her fingers.

“No, just as I didn’t scare you away when I told you about my lack of commitment in relationships last Sunday.”

“If you put it like that, it’s a miracle we’re sitting here at all.”

“I won’t argue with that.”

“I’m having a really good time, though, despite you having barely touched my food.”

“I was just following your example.” Mia peered at her still half full plate.