Page 15 of Love on the Line

“So I’m told. Now, back to building ourrelationship. What areyouwearing?”

His laughter continued as he stated he wasstill in his casual Monday attire.

“Me, too. My t-shirt and leggings make fora real fashion statement.”

“I’m sure you could make a fashionstatement in anything you wore.”

“Mm, hmm. Suck up,” she teased as shepopped a cheese cube in her mouth.

“Just being a gentleman like my mommataught me,” he drawled.

“I take it your parents are no longer withyou, from what you mentioned last night about no family?” she asked gently,really wanting to know something more personal about him.

Without hesitation or deflection, as shethought he’d do, Mathias answered, “No, unfortunately, my parents passed a fewyears ago. I have no siblings, and surprisingly enough, neither did my parents.So I’m the last of my line.”

“Until you have children,” AJ quicklyinterjected. “I mean, do you want children?”

“Are you offering?”

AJ practically choked on the tiny bite ofsalmon in her mouth and tried to clear her throat by washing it down with thewine. Although it sounded as if he tried for lighthearted, something in histone sent shivers through her. With her delay in answering, Mathias quicklyspoke again.

“That was inappropriate, I apologize, AJ.”

“Oh, so now it’s AJ? Tired of sayingAmelia Jane already?” She tried for levity.

“Never,” he answered, his voice likegravel. He cleared his throat and resumed. “Are you okay?”

“Ohsure, just choking on my dinner.” She gave a quick cough before starting again.“No, really, I’m fine.”

“Well, to answer your question aboutchildren, I honestly don’t know. I’m set in my career, I enjoy the luxury oftravelling whenever I want, and I’m no spring chicken anymore.” He chuckled.

“Yeah, right. Like thirty-five is pastyour prime or something,” AJ scoffed. “The fact that you’re set in your careermeans stability. And as far as travelling, it’s still possible with kids. Justtakes more patience and planning, I would imagine.”

“Along with the right woman in my life,”he said softly.

The tone of the conversation seemed to begetting more somber and serious, and AJ wasn’t sure what to say next. Luckily,Mathias spared her from saying anything awkward or regretful.

“Sorry again, I really didn’t mean to getall serious and reflective. Our talks are meant to be fun and informative,right?”

“Well, the topic is informative, but ifyou want to steer more toward fun, I can do that.”

“So what’s on your dinner menu? HopefullyI won’t make you choke anymore and you can enjoy whatever you’re having.”

“I’m having cold smoked salmon with smokedGouda, and a refreshing Riesling. How about you? Did you already eat?”

“I did, although yours sounds much betterthan what I settled for, which was leftover pizza.”

“Nothing wrong with that. Leftover pizzahits the spot, including cold pizza for breakfast with an ice cold glass ofchocolate milk. Well, I just enjoy chocolate milk regardless.” AJ chuckled.

“Duly noted. Wine instead of beer thisevening?”

“Yes, I do enjoy anoccasionalglass of the vino. You know, break up the monotony.”

“Of course. And was your afternoon productivewith your project?”

“Indeed it was. I turned in my summary forthe project and felt it was some of my best work recently.”

“You sound confident and happy. That’sgreat.”

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