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She stands up and pulls me into a tight embrace. Sarah is a few years older than my father, and she's been a second mother to me.
"How have you and David been?" I ask as I sit.
"We've been good. Business in Boston has kept us busy." She frowns a little. "Busier than I would like, so we missed coming here last year."
Sarah and David run a small winery on the outskirts of Boston. It is a venture they started when their youngest went off to college.
A server comes by, and I order beer and crab cakes.
When the server leaves, I say, "I'm sure things will calm down. It's always super busy at the start of a business. I still remember how busy things were when Dad started his company."
We talk a little longer about the wine industry until my food arrives.
"So," Sarah says, "I'm surprised Brendan is not here with you."
I take a slow sip of my beer. "We broke up."
She frowns and squeezes my hand. "I'm sorry."
"He was my first real boyfriend." I thought he would be my first for many things. I swallow hard. "Yeah, it didn't work out. It's for the best, though."
"The first ones are always the hardest." She adds, "He wasn't right for you."
"How could you tell?"
"When you two were together, he never seemed present. It was as if he thought spending time with you was a waste."
I laugh humorlessly. "You're right. He did. I thought I was ambitious. Brendan takes ambition to a whole another level. Anyone in his life has to take second place."
Sarah smiles gently. "You deserve better than second place."
I take a deep breath, and my thoughts drift to Ivan. I push the idea away and focus on Sarah. "Thank you." I squeeze my lemon over the crab cakes. "Maybe things will be better for me in New York.” I cut and then dip a section of crab cake into the remoulade sauce. "I want to be in a relationship with someone committed to me, but maybe I should focus on my career for now."
She looks at me with a twinkle in her eye. "Sometimes love finds us when we least expect it. Who knows, maybe you'll find the one on Martha's Vineyard."
"Maybe," I say with a small smile and take a bite of my food.
The Lighthouse Pub has the best crab cakes. They have a perfect balance of buttery and crispy. The flavors explode on my tongue.
I take another sip of my beer and savor the moment. For the first time in a long while, I let go of my worries and allow myself to enjoy the day.
Sarah and I talk about wine, Boston, and my new job. Talking with Sarah is like talking to family. I know she cares about me and only wants the best for me.
A live band starts to set up just as the sun sets.
"I should get going. David is waiting for me," Sarah says.
"Why didn't he come out tonight?" I ask.
"He has a stomach bug. Nothing serious, but seafood is the last thing he needs."
"Tell him I said hello, and I hope he feels better soon."
"I will. You enjoy the evening." She stands up and reaches out to hug me.
We say our goodbyes, and she walks out of the pub. My phone buzzes with a call.
It's the real estate agent I had been dealing with for a place in New York City.
