Still Fine at Forty by Dakota Madison Read Free Book Online

my wine a moment earlier because I would have choked. I didn’t know how to respond, so I just smiled politely, but I wanted to escape. I didn’t find Walt attractive and I didn’t want to lead him on. I felt trapped. I decided to try and neutralize the conversation.
    “So, what do you do for work?” I asked.
    Walt leaned back and said, “I’m a general contractor, like Marvin. We don’t compete very much though because I’m more industrial and he’s mostly commercial.”
    I nodded even though I didn’t have any idea what the business entailed. “It’s getting more competitive though, so I’ll be taking a very early retirement. I want to travel and enjoy life. I’d like to have a companion.”
    He gave me a small smile when he said it, as if he was prop ositioning me. I had just turned 40, so I couldn’t imagine retiring. I was at the highpoint of my career.
    “That sounds tempting,” I managed to get out, but all I really wanted to do was get back to my room, light the fireplace and snuggle in the big fluffy bed.
    When the last morsel of the delicious food had been devoured, Marvin smiled and said, “Anyone save room for dessert?”
    We all shook our heads.
    There was a bit of a stand-off as both men tried to pick up the tab but Marvin eventually won out. But he had to promise that Walt could pick up their next round of golf.
    As we exited the restaurant, there was a bit of awkwardness as Walt and I had to negotiate our parting ritual. A handshake would have been too formal but we weren’t at the stage where he could give me a kiss. Finally, he leaned down a gave me a peck on the cheek. He lingered a moment by my ear and whispered, “I hope I get to see you again.”
    I nodded and gave him a small smile. I felt a bit of sadness and guilt that I didn’t care whether I ever saw him again.
    As we headed back to the hotel, Mel put me through a bit of an inquisition.
    “So, did you like him?” she probed.
    I didn’t feel comfortable being completely honest in front of Marvin because Walt was his friend and it was his idea to set us up. I didn’t want to insult him. 
    “He seemed nice,” I replied. And it was the truth.
    “I think he really liked you,” she said. “He couldn’t take his eyes off of you the whole night.”
    I wanted to say, that’s because he was ‘hot for teacher’, but I refrained.
    “I know he’s available tomorrow night, if you’re interested in going out again.”
    “Let me think about it.”
    I could see Mel was disappointed that I didn’t jump at the chance to go out with him again, but I really didn’t want to. I wanted to see Cody again. Was I being completely unrealistic in thinking that I would ever see him again? Or that he thought of me in that way? Or that he’d even want to see me again? Maybe Walt was the best I could do at 40. I just wasn’t ready to settle yet.
    As we headed back toward the hotel, I noticed a small, quaint coffee shop that was still open. “I think I’m going to grab a cup of herbal tea before going to bed,” I said to Mel.
    “Are you sure you’re going to be okay?” she asked.
    “Of course, the hotel is almost across the street,” I said.
    Mel leaned down and gave me a kiss on the cheek. “We’ll see you tomorrow.”
    “Have a good evening,” I said as I waved them away. I n oticed Marvin put his arm around Mel’s shoulder and pull her close. I was happy to see her so happy. It wasn’t often that Mel found someone she was so compatible with.
    I’m not sure why I hesitated when I approached the entrance to the coffee shop. I felt inexplicably nervous. It made no sense. Peering through the window, I noticed the place was clean and well lighted. There were still a few patrons talking and enjoying themselves. I just couldn’t shake the feeling that if I walked through the door, my life would change. I was being completely irrational. I doubted a cup of tea would be life altering in any way.
    I forged ahead and stepped inside.