“You’ll laugh.” I bit the inside of my cheek.
“We just spent an hour half naked with each other. I don’t think I will.” Noah insisted.
“I . . .” I sighed. “I’m a calligrapher.”
“Calligrapher?” Noah asked. “The fancy writing?”
“Yes.” I giggled. “I write fancy things for people that can’t write fancy. Mostly love letters or wedding invitations.”
“Wow. That’s amazing.” Noah twirled their glass around in a circle. “I should have made up something. Now you think I’m a boring teacher.”
“Teachers are worth gold.” I shook my head. “Thank you for your service. I’m sure it’s like war—teaching in this school system.”
“Well, it’s Louisiana. All I can hope is at least one kid of mine gets all they want out of life.” Noah shrugged.
“That’s beautiful.” I opened the menu and skimmed the food options. When I glanced up, I caught Noah’s small smile. “What?”
“Nothing.” They grinned. “Just happy to have met you. You did great tonight.”
“You too. You have moves.” I bit my lip and winced at how that sounded. “With-With how you move. You move, in front of the camera, very well.”
“Thanks. I’m a bit of a theater kid.”
“I can tell.”
“That obvious?”
“The blue in the hair gives it away.” I motioned to their messy locks. “Are you naturally blonde?”
“Yeah, just notthisblonde.” Noah chuckled.
“Darn.” I rested my cheek on my hand. “I thought you were one of the only babies born with platinum blonde hair.”
“If only I were that special.” Noah tucked their smile to the table, examining the menu.
Once I found my entree in the sea of choices, I shifted my eyes to the television. Hayley and Kathryn watched women's hockey almost as much as they watched soccer, but I never was one to turn on sports myself. Kendall wasn’t too interested, and I had no desire anymore after Parker.
Instinctively, I checked my phone for any text messages.
“If I’m holding you up, I’d gladly pay for your food to go. I’m sure your spouse wants you home.” Noah offered.
“Oh, no, it’s—my son is with his aunt tonight. It’s been a while since I’ve had a night without him.” I explained, feeling heat rush into my ears as Noah’s eyes flew up to mine.
“You’re a mother.” They smiled. “Wow. How old?”
“Thirteen.”
“Incredible. You—” Noah blinked vigorously. “I never would have thought.”
“Oh, please. You’ve seen me almost naked. You can tell.” I rolled my eyes at their response.
“No, I seriously couldn’t have. You’re beautiful—not that having a son makes you any less beautiful.” Noah stopped and swallowed. “What I meant by that was that you’re a gorgeous woman and your spouse is beyond lucky to have an incredible mother like you keeping tabs on your son.”
“He’s . . . dead.”
Noah stared at me.
“That was harsh.” I winced. “I’m sorry. I can be dark and shitty at times. I, well—yes. Yes, my husband died, and my son and I are very close. And I don’t know why I just blabbed that to you.”
