“What would you like to drink? I have an embarrassingly well-stocked bar for someone who carefully monitors everything that goes in my mouth.”
“Oh, er.” I couldn’t ask for a mug of milky cocoa. “You know, I could really go for plain old water.”
“Really?” He looked surprised. “I tempted you here for a glass of water?”
“The good company tempted me here, not the liquid refreshment.”
“Okay, well, I’m pleased you’ve enjoyed my company so far; I’m certainly enjoying yours.”
He pulled two glasses from a cupboard and filled them both with water from the dispenser. I thought he wanted an alcoholic drink, but I saw no reason to comment on the fact that he’d copied my choice.
“Ice and lemon to make it seem a little special?” he asked.
“Yes, thanks. But it is special. Any drink here is special, because I don’t normally go home with a complete stranger. And what’s more, you’re a famous stranger.”
“It’s a strange night. You cooked dinner for me, and I ate it with another woman. But I noticed you first, and so I’m pleased I get to end the night with you.”
“You noticed me?”
“This glass is for you.” He placed it on the dining table and took a sip from his own before continuing. “I did notice you. Don’t pretend you didn’t see that when you brought the snacks to our table. So that’s not what you normally cook?”
I laughed. “Heaven’s no. We generally attract a sophisticated lunch crowd who want highly-priced health foods for their lunch with a glass of white wine. But I’ve worked in other pubs where burgers, fries, and onion rings are the chief menu items.”
“And are you living the dream? Have you achieved your career goal, or do you have other plans?”
“Oh, hell. Life is a long time. I’m pleased with what I’ve achieved so far. I can run a kitchen; I have the experience plus the paper qualifications to prove it. Ten years ago, I would have said I want to have my own restaurant. But perhaps ten years from now, I might want to be a snorkeling instructor instead.”
“Have you been snorkeling?”
“Not yet. It’s on the to-do list. The thing is, I suppose, like most people, I wanted to do well in my profession and go up the career ladder, but I don’t have that ambition anymore. I’m happy being in charge of lunches without taking on the full responsibility of running a business. That falls to the bar manager and my dad, the owner. I guess I’ve seen enough of how hard it is for them that I know I don’t want to step into those shoes.”
“There’s nothing wrong with that. We can’t all run the whole business. I don’t want to be the kingpin in football, either. I think we live a long time. If we give ourselves completely to our jobs, there comes the point when we want to step back and enjoy other things in life apart from work.”
“You look way too young to be so philosophical.”
“I’m older than I look; it won’t be many years before I turn thirty.”
One thing nagged at me. Why did I accept his advance and end up back in his place but flip off his teammates? I was equally attracted to those guys. It seemed very wrong to think about other men when I was alone with Ethan. And I suspected the only reason I was alone with him was that the other guys had been in a group.
I wasn’t going home with a group of guys. Who did that? But I probably would have gone home with any one of them who’d approached me on his own.
And there I was.
Alone with one player.
He caught me at the right time, or the wrong time, or however this was going to go.
He slid up behind me, throwing his hands on my shoulders. “I’ve been at this for a very long time.”
“And you’re like, two hundred and thirty-six years old now?” I smiled.
“Close to that.” He winked. “I’m old enough to move onto the next chapter.”
“Already thinking about retirement, old man?” I teased.
“No. I’m not that old. But I’m definitely ready for my life to be about more than football.”
“What sorts of life-enriching things do you have in mind? Are you talking about charity work or a change of career? Or starting a new hobby?”
“You know, if I had all the answers, I’d tell you. I guess sports is a weird career because we peak in our late twenties.”
“I get it. At that age, most people are still working their way up the ladder.”
“I’m ambitious and successful at what I do, and it turns out that isn’t fulfilling enough. There has to be more to life than what I do right now. So I’m open to new things. Are you?”
“Yes, I’m up for new things,” I said boldly. “I’m here, aren’t I? And this is new to me.”