“So we’ll take it home. Tell me the truth. How come you’re not married yet?”

“I don’t know. You’d think someone as cool as me would’ve been snatched up the minute I graduated from college, right? How about you?”

“The same. Did you ever have any serious boyfriends?”

“Nope. Not one.”

“How can that be?”

“I think I’m too shy or something. How about you and women?”

“I dated a girl in college for a long time, but she and I just wanted different things out of life.”

“Like what?”

“You’re pretty nosy, aren’t you?” He was smiling, so I knew he didn’t mean it.

“Yeah, maybe. So tell me what she wanted that you didn’t.”

“She liked television, I like to read. I like to cook at home. She liked to go out all the time. I’m a dog person. She was a cat person. When we went somewhere in the car, she had to listen to the oldies station and sing along with every single song.”

“That’s the worst! It’s like being held hostage and if you say anything, you’re the jerk, not them.”

“Ah! It sounds as if you have some experience in this area?”

“Yeah, my brother-in-law.”

“What’s he like?”

I leaned back against the well-worn leather booth and considered his question. I wasn’t required to answer every single question in detail, and I liked Ted. So I gave it a moment’s consideration and threw what I thought was a pretty sassy answer out there for him.

“Ted? When I’m sure you’re desperately and hopelessly in love with me, I’ll tell you all about Charlie. In the meanwhile, let’s talk about you.”

“There’s not much to tell, ma’am. Not much at all.”

The waiter delivered our beers and we poured them into our chilled mugs. We toasted each other.

“I know that you sat behind me in English class and that you were a sensitive young man. I remember your poetry.”

“Oh, now I’m blushing! My poetry was terrible.”

“That’s why it’s so memorable!” I laughed and reached across the table, giving him a little push on his arm. “Just kidding!”

“Oh, Lord,” he said. “Hey, here comes our food.”

“Good thing, I was about to faint.”

“Don’t worry, Holly. I can give mouth to mouth. It’s all part of the job.”