Aidan shrugged. ‘Love, I guess.’
‘You don’t sound too sure.’
‘My family all think I should settle down, find someone to have a proper relationship with. And I think maybe they’re right.’
‘So you’re looking for “the one”,’ she said, making quotation marks with her fingers.
Aidan laughed. ‘I suppose so.’
‘How’s that going?’
‘Not great.’ He grinned. ‘Actually, so far this is the best date I’ve been on.’
‘Blimey! I feel kind of bad for you now.’
‘Just think of me as a man. I’m sure you’ll get over it.’
‘Oh, don’t worry. It’ll pass. But in the meantime, are you sure I can’t interest you in a quick no-strings bonk?’
Aidan laughed. ‘Sorry. No. But I hope you find what you’re looking for. I really do.’
‘Thanks. You too.’
Aidan knew better than to argue when Alva insisted on splitting the bill and he was glad they parted on amicable terms. He liked her and despite the extreme weirdness of the afternoon, he’d actually had a good time – better than any of the other dates he’d been on recently.
He contemplated Alva’s dilemma as he walked back to the restaurant. He sympathised with her desire to have a child, even if he didn’t get her wanting to go it alone and purposely deny her child a father. Maybe he could have had sex with her a couple of times and asked her not to tell him the outcome. But no. He’d always be wondering…
When he walked into the restaurant kitchen, Lou and Shane were standing side by side at the counter, their backs to him while Shane made a pile of tortellini for dinner service. Lou had her coat on, ready to go, but had obviously hung back to chat to Shane. As he watched, she said something to Shane that madehim throw back his head and hoot with laughter, and Aidan felt a twist of something like longing… or was it jealousy?
‘How was your date?’ Shane asked, turning as the door closed behind Aidan.
‘It was… pretty good, actually.’ Aidan smiled. He’d enjoyed it, despite everything.
‘Sounds promising. So will you be seeing her again?’
He felt Lou’s gaze on him, but she looked away quickly as their eyes met. ‘No. She’s looking for something more serious. I meanwaymore serious.’
‘Ah, pity.’
‘It’s fine. We’re not right for each other at all. But the date was fun.’
