My accountant would kill me. She relaxed slightly. You don't have an accountant. How do you know? Because you operate a three-star repair shop in Georgetown and your truck's check engine light has been on for at least a month.
3 weeks. Even worse. They looked at each other across the table and then they were both laughing. Real helpless laughter that made the waitress glance over with a look of deep concern. This is insane.
Ethan managed finally. Completely insane, Vivien agreed. You know I showed up to meet you in muddy jeans because I spent an hour fixing your car, right? Yes. And you know I own a failing repair shop and I'm about 3 months away from foreclosure, right?
I assumed something like that. Yes. And you're still sitting here. Viven met his eyes, and her expression was suddenly serious. You fixed my car in the rain without knowing who I was, without wanting anything from me.
Do you know how rare that is? Probably pretty common if you hang out with normal people. I don't hang out with normal people anymore. She picked up a fry, examined it like it held secrets. Everyone wants something.
A contract, an investment, an introduction. Even the people I'm supposed to trust. Especially the people I'm supposed to trust. That sounds lonely. It is.
She ate the fry. But it's also safe. You can't be disappointed if you never expect anything real. Ethan thought about his own life. The shop that was slowly dying.
The electricity bill he couldn't pay. Sophie asking him every morning if he was okay. The weight of trying to be enough for everyone while feeling like he was failing at everything. I get that. He said quietly.
Do you? My daughter asks me every day if I'm happy. She's 8 years old and she thinks it's her job to monitor my mental health. That's not fair to her, but I don't know how to stop it. Viven's expression softened.
You have a daughter, Sophie. She's with my sister tonight. Sarah set up this whole blind date thing because she thinks I need to start living again, whatever that means. And are you happy? Ethan considered the question honestly.
I'm surviving. Some days that feels like the same thing. They sat with that for a moment. The diner's fluorescent lights humming overhead. Rain still hammering the windows.
Two people who'd stumbled into each other by accident. Sitting in a grimy booth, eating burgers and telling the truth for maybe the first time in months. What happened to your wife? Viven asked quietly. Left 3 years ago.
Met someone with better prospects and fewer late night phone calls about broken down cars. He didn't say it with bitterness, just fact. She sends Sophie birthday cards. That's about it. I'm sorry.
Don't be. We were wrong for each other from the start. I just didn't want to admit it. Vivian nodded slowly. I was engaged once, called it off 6 weeks before the wedding.
What happened? He told me I'd have to choose between the company and him. She smiled, but there was no humor in it. He was very surprised when I chose the company. Was it the right choice?