Page 11 of Fighting Fate

“That’s a really good word for it.” He nodded in agreement. “Every day was the same; get up early, train, eat, train some more, eat, rest, train…”

“It doesn’t sound all that different to a routine most folks with a regular job get into, though,” Rosie pointed out. “They get up at the same time, take the same transport to work, and a lot of people have to do the same repetitive tasks when they get there, too!”

“I suppose. Not you though, right? I’d guess your job’s changing all the time.”

“Why it keeps me interested,” Rosie told him. “Yes, there’s a certain amount of repetition, but dealing with the challenges of keeping so many staff happy, managing turnover, interviewing, fitting new people into an established hierarchy - it keeps me busy.”

***

Adam admired Rosie as she talked about her work. She obviously enjoyed the challenges of her job, her eyes bright, hands moving expressively, her laugh cheerful as she told him an amusing anecdote about a temporary American staff member who refused to go outside the main resort building because of the Australian wildlife she was convinced was just waiting to murder her.

“What about you?” Rosie surprised him by asking then. “What are your long-term plans now you’ve retired?”

“I don’t know,” he had to admit. “I’m still trying to think that through. I earned enough money in my career I could buy myself a nice place somewhere and just play golf for the rest of my life.”

“I’m sure you could,” Rosie agreed, “but would that make you happy?”

Adam grimaced, thinking he’d probably be bored out of his head within the first week or so. At least at the moment, he was thinking, planning, considering options and researching possibilities. If he settled for such a passive existence, he suspected he’d drive himself around the bend. “Probably not.”

The garlic bread and stuffed mushrooms arrived just then, and Rosie accepted a small portion of each at his urging. Conversation paused for a little while as he ate, starving; he’d been eating his own rather plain cooking for the last fortnight and the rich scents and flavours were a feast for the senses. He savoured every bite, nodding his thanks to Rosie as she signalled the waitress over to refill his empty water glass.

The pizza place was obviously a popular place to eat, filled with families for the most part, the occasional small group of adults. Adam was fairly sure he and Rosie were the only couple in there on their own, and thought wistfully that she’d obviously chosen the least romantic restaurant she could think of. His first date in over a year and his date was keeping him at arms’ length, for which he couldn’t really blame her, he supposed.

Rosie drank her cocktail quite slowly, he observed, and as she’d said she would, she ordered a second when their main meals arrived. She preferred to stay in control of her senses, he thought, which again was only prudent when out with a stranger, though he was pretty sure the restaurant manager actually knew her. The woman had paused by their table as though to greet Rosie, but moved on at a quick head shake.

Ensuring her own safety, Adam thought. Smart as well as pretty. Not that he needed the confirmation; Rosie’s conversation made it more than clear she was intelligent, her quick mind seizing on any topic he brought up and considering it from all angles.

He’d made up his mind long before they finished the meal to ask her for a second date. Even though she was probably on the rebound from her crush rejecting her, Adam liked Rosie way too much to give up easily. He had time on his side, could give her whatever time and space she needed until she could consider him on his own merits.

“Since I invited you out for dinner, would you allow me to get the bill?” he asked as he finally pushed aside his empty plate. “Also since I ate six times as much food as you did.”

“I had cocktails, though,” Rosie argued.

“You did. How about this; you can pick up the tab next time?” he suggested, feeling suddenly as nervous as he ever had before a big fight. Heart in his mouth, he waited for her answer.

CHAPTER FIVE

ROSIE blinked at Adam, sure she couldn’t have heard him correctly. “Next time?” she echoed.

“I’m hoping there’ll be a next time, anyway.” He ducked his head and smiled at her almost shyly. “I’ve really enjoyed tonight, Rosie.”

“So have I,” she said, realising to her surprise that it was true. Adam was really easy to talk to, not only comfortable opening up about himself but also asking questions and listening when she talked. Which was a very rare trait in a man, at least in her experience.

“How about it then? We could call this date zero if you like, and then next time would be date number one?”

Adam seemed to be genuinely in earnest. Rosie sipped the last of her cocktail and considered him, thinking she’d be mad to turn him down. Not only was he the first man in quite a while to show romantic interest in her, he was also sexy as hell, obviously comfortably off, and a genuinely nice person.

Still, some part of her hesitated, the part which had convinced her Luke was her only chance of happiness.

“It’s fine if you want to say no, or if you’d like to think about it for a while,” Adam said, and his easy acceptance of whatever she wanted to decide helped make Rosie’s mind up for her.

“I’d love to go on another date with you,” she said, “so yes, I will let you buy this one on the understanding that next time, I’m picking up the tab.”

Adam’s grin was wide and white; he didn’t hide his emotions, Rosie thought, and he seemed honestly delighted by her response. Signalling to the waitress, he asked politely if she could bring them the bill.

Rosie watched as he picked up the pen and added a generous tip to the bottom of the check when the waitress brought it, handing his credit card over with a “Thank you, that was a delicious meal and your service was excellent.”

The pretty blonde blushed and gave him a rather starry-eyed look, which Rosie had to admit was justified. At least she wasn’t ill-mannered enough to try and slip Adam her number with Rosie sitting right there, though she did give Rosie a look of pure envy.

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