Page 8 of Second Dance
I tapped the first message, my pulse kicking up.
Tom, 52: “Wow, you’re gorgeous. Bet you look even better out of that dance studio. Dinner Friday?”
My mouth fell open. Delete. Absolutely not.
The next one wasn’t much better.
Dennis, 45: “Hi Gillian. I enjoy fishing, yard work, and watching old Westerns. Looking for someone to share quiet evenings with.”
Nice enough, I supposed, but I could already picture a lifetime of silence punctuated by John Wayne reruns. No, thank you.
The third message made me groan out loud.
Rick, 39: “Serious question: If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, would it be tacos or pizza? Dealbreaker for me if you say kale.”
A reluctant smile tugged at my mouth despite myself. Still, delete. If he mocked my healthy habits, we would not get along.
The fourth was almost respectable.
Mark, 37: “Hello, Gillian. Your profile caught my attention. I’m a single dad of three, big on family dinners and volunteering at my church. If you’d ever like to grab coffee, let me know.”
I hesitated. If I were interested in blind dates, he might be tempting, but I was taking no part in this. I had better ways to spend my time than on a series of awkward dates.
And then came the last one.
JayBird67, 58: “My friends call me a silver fox. I think we’d make a great pair. Want to come for a ride on my Harley?”
“Is this guy for real?” I muttered, exiting out of the message section. When I closed that screen, another notification came through.You have a match.
@TechDadStartingOver Age: 36 Retired tech founder. Full-time dad. Learning to surf (poorly).
Alex. The nerve of this guy. Probably looking for a naive woman who wouldn’t think to ask him if he was married. I couldn’t help myself though. I pulled up his profile and read through his description. By the end, my mouth had dropped open.
Photos
In the dugout during a game, baseball cap on, clipboard in hand, giving encouraging words to a kid at bat.
Standing on the sidelines of his daughter's soccer game, hands cupped around his mouth, appearing to be cheering loudly.
On the beach at sunrise, wetsuit half-zipped, surfboard under his arm, looking determined but slightly intimidated by the waves.
About Me
I founded a medical software company at twenty-four and retired two years ago when my wife passed away. We moved to Willet Cove for a fresh start, and my kids and I are still adjusting to the slower pace—but we're getting there.
I married their mom when my son and daughter were three and five, and I've been their dad ever since. They're my whole world. They miss her every day, and so do I. But they've also made it very clear that I need to “get back out there” (my son’s words, not mine). So here I am, taking his advice.
