I cleared my throat and took another drink carefully. “I’m fine.”
“You look panicked,” she noted.
“Really, I’m fine. No panic at all.”
She grinned. “Have you ever thought about having more kids?”
I shook my head. “No.”
“Never?” she asked, surprised.
“Not really.” I leaned back in my chair. “It’s been me and Isla for so long. I didn’t think about more. I didn’t want to settle down, and I wasn’t bringing someone into her life unless I knew they were staying.”
“That makes sense.” She nodded slowly. “Have you dated?”
“No.” One word to sum up the last decade of my life.
Her brows rose.
“I mean, not seriously,” I corrected. I didn’t want to give her the impression I was celibate. I had needs.
“Define not seriously.”
“Dinner. Drinks. A night,” I said honestly, hoping it wouldn’t scare her off.
Her lips twitched. “A night?”
“Don’t make me say it like I’m in an interview,” I said, my tone borderline pleading.
She leaned forward, clearly enjoying herself. “Have you gotten laid in the last decade, Hunter?”
“I’m a professional hockey player,” I said, which was both a defense and, apparently, the worst possible sentence to say out loud. “There are women throwing themselves at me when I want.”
Catherine’s smile faded a little. Shit.
“Sorry, that was too much. I just obviously have needs. I didn’t want to bring anyone close to Isla. So usually when I’m on the road…” I didn’t finish and let her make her own conclusions.
“Makes sense. You’re single and hot, so why not,” she said.
“You think I’m hot?” I asked.
She laughed. “Obviously. I don’t usually get attracted to guys I don’t think are hot.”
“I’m nine years older than you,” I said again, feeling like I was on repeat. I wanted her like I wanted air, but I had to remind her of another reason why this was a bad idea.
“I don’t need reminding. I’ve always felt like I was mature for my age, so I don’t see that as a deterrent,” she countered.
“You’re gorgeous, Catherine. I’m sure you can have your pick of guys your age,” I said.
“My ex-Julian was a couple years older than me. That didn’t work out so well,” she explained and took a sip of her sparkling water. “The food is delicious. I didn’t realize how hungry I was.”
“I’m glad you’re enjoying it,” I said, taking a bite of pasta. Things felt laid-back with her. Comfortable. Easy. “Was Julian your first?” I asked her.
She burst into laughter. “No, he wasn’t. But I thought we were serious. I had fooled around with my share of guys in high school, but I never had sex. My mom kind of scared me off sex because she became a mom so young. I focused on hands and fingers,” she said.
I choked on my sparkling water.
Catherine laughed at my expense once again. “What’s with the weird reactions? Can you not talk about sexual things?”
