As I’d hoped, her face grew eager at the proposal. “Really? You’re going to move?”

“I don’t know for sure. Just thought it might be time for a change.”

Maddie became even more excited. “What are you looking for?”

“Not sure about that either,” I admitted. “The only thing I’m sure of is that I want to try something outside of Queen Anne.”

“Okay, that’s a good start. How big? New construction or historic? Do you want to keep renting? The condo market’s flooded, you know. Great time to buy.”

I tried to keep a straight face but couldn’t. “Were you a real estate agent in another life?”

“No! I just think it’s exciting, that’s all. I want to help.”

“Okay. I could rent or buy. It would depend on the place.”

“What’s your price range? If you don’t mind me asking?”

I hesitated, wondering if I should let on to the truth about my finances. I decided it didn’t matter. “Well . . . let’s put it this way. I’ve got a lot of savings.”

“Fair enough.” Despite the rapid rate she was drinking, there was a sharp, businesslike air to her. “You want a similar kind of neighborhood? Shops? Restaurants?”

“Yeah, I wouldn’t mind that.”

“Anything else?”

“I told you, I haven’t thought much about it.”

She sighed in frustration. “You’ve gotta help me out here. Anything you’ve been wanting for a long time? Something you’ve missed?”

Unbidden, a memory of my childhood came to me. The Cyprian town I’d lived in returned to me in startling clarity, its colors, smells, and airs.

“I grew up around beaches,” I said softly. “Sun and surf.” I shook myself out of the wistful memory, feeling a bit embarrassed at my dreamy state. “But I’m in the wrong place for that.”

“Yeah,” she agreed. “You’d have to move to California for that.”

We had another round of drinks and talked about other things, and to my surprise, I had a really great time. I remembered now why I liked Maddie so much. She was so easy to talk to, so funny and smart. I didn’t have a lot of female friends, and there was a big difference between her and the guys I normally hung out with. Women needed other women sometimes.

I was signing my credit card bill when Seth walked over to our table.

Maddie looked up, beaming. “Hey, sweetie.” She stood up and kissed him, something that unnerved both Seth and me. All of a sudden, the warm and pleasant feeling that had been building within me shattered. Maddie glanced at me explanatorily. “I called Seth to get a ride while you were in the bathroom.”

I smiled tightly. “Ah.”

Maddie turned back to him. “You’re missing out. This place has great drinks. You sure you don’t want to break the rules? We could stay another round.”

“Actually, I need to go,” I said, thinking of few things more agonizing than drinking with the two of them.

“And I’m not ready to break the rules,” said Seth, avoiding my eyes. “Besides, I’ve got work to do.”