Page 82 of Tomorrow Belongs to Us
“You’rewhat?”Arla gets out and slams the door hard.
“Going on a date. You were all team Lance before. I know you think he’s lying and he’s been cheating, but if I believe him about his wife, why can't you?” I get out of the car.
“Your mom will be mad. Your sister and brother won't be too happy, either, and, again, he's too old.”
“Age is a number.” We start walking towards our favorite tapas place.
“He’s over forty!”
“I’m nearly thirty. It’s no big deal. Not now.”
“You just want to have sex with him,” she hisses, just as an elderly couple walk towards us.
The woman looks at us and lifts an eyebrow.
But Arla isn’t wrong.
I do.
Chapter 31
LANCE
Megan's waiting on me to make a move and do something.
That's how we left things and I've been trying to figure it out. I haven't dated for years. I don't know how to, I don’t know how to compete with the guys who are Megan’s age, but I need to do something and fast, otherwise I'll lose her. I might not have her for too long, but at least I can try to make something of the time we have.
I am officially divorced now, and a single man again.
I am no longer married to Vivian.
But I will always be Cassie's father and I'm filled with dread that the thought of breaking the news to her. Vivian and I spoke about it and she agreed that I can tell Cassie in my own time when she next comes over to stay at my place.
I hope that Vivian will honor this as we navigate these new waters. Nothing has intrinsically changed. We've been leading such separate lives for so long that a piece of paper isn't going to make much difference but telling Cassie the truth—that’s when things will change.
Cassie's away this week on a school trip, otherwise I'd tell her now. It's her reaction I fear for the most. Pretending I lived away to be closer to the college where I worked was easy enough to but I fear her reaction when she discovers I've lied to her.
My parents are still married and were high school sweethearts. I come from a loving family. Telling my little girl that her parents don't love one another enough to want to live together, will be hard. I won't phrase it like that, but as she grows up, she'll know the truth.
I'm at a loss for what to do this weekend. So, I pick up the phone and call the one person who truly makes me happy.
I've arranged to meet Megan at the coffee shop which is fast becoming our regular haunt.
It’s a safe place to meet.
My life is at a crossroads, and even though I suggested that we try to get to know one another, properly this time, a part of me now wonders if this is wise. I can’t think when she’s close by, when her hands slip around my neck and she speaks all sexy and low, when there’s a chance she can stroke my ego and much more …
She’s young, and gorgeous and probably moving to a new town soon when she gets a new job. She has her whole future ahead of her. I'm newly divorced, with a child and an ex-wife who will stick to me like a leech.
Is this wise, throwing myself into the dating game at my age? I know how to fend off interested students, but I don't know how to date.
“Thanks for coming,” I tell her, when she slides effortlessly into the seat opposite from me. She’s in casual clothes. A body-hugging t-shirt and jeans, over which she wears a long cardigan. It’s going to be a mission to keep my eyes from wandering below her neck.
“Thanks for coming?” She blinks at me a few times. “This sounds official. Are you going to break up with me before we’ve even started?”
I cough in shock, and wonder what has gone on in her life that she has such little faith about relationships. There is so much unsaid between us. We stare at each other's faces, but there are no words. When I look at her, I sometimes catch a glimpse of the student she once was before I see the woman she has blossomed into. To have this perspective is strange. I seem to shift between two parallel universes, then and now, but I’m lucky enough to find her again.
“I never said anything about breaking up. You have such little faith.”
