The Single Dad continued:
“And that’s why I’m not doing anything tonight.”
Her eyes opened.
He walked toward the kitchen.
Needed movement.
“Coffee?”
She stared.
“Coffee?”
“Yes.”
“You just admitted you’re attracted to me and now you’re making coffee?”
“It’s Christmas Eve.”
“That explains nothing.”
“I need something to do with my hands.”
That made her laugh.
He smiled despite himself.
“Coffee?”
“Yes.”
He walked into the kitchen.
She followed.
The apartment kitchen barely fit two adults comfortably.
That became immediately apparent.
The Single Dad filled the kettle.
The Female CEO leaned against the counter.
Her satin dress brushed the cabinets.
He noticed again.
Annoying.
She noticed him noticing.
Also annoying.
“What?”
“Nothing.”
“You’re terrible at lying.”
“I’m excellent.”
“No.”
He reached for coffee.
She looked around.
A child’s drawing was taped to the refrigerator.
Three stick figures.
One tall.
One small.
One with wings.
The Female CEO stopped smiling.
The Single Dad saw where she was looking.
His late wife.
The drawing had been made a year after her death.
His daughter insisted her mother still belonged in family pictures.
He agreed.
The Female CEO’s voice became quiet.
“She drew that?”
“Yes.”
“How old was she?”
“Seven.”
“And now?”
“Nine.”
The CEO nodded.
She did not ask what happened.
He appreciated that.
The kettle clicked.
He poured.
She watched.
Then:
“Was your wife beautiful?”
The Single Dad looked at her.
Unexpected.
He smiled faintly.
“Yes.”
The Female CEO nodded.
“Good.”
“Good?”
“I don’t know.”
“She should have been.”
He laughed softly.
“She was.”
“What was she like?”
He leaned against the counter opposite her.
“Loud.”
The CEO smiled.
“Really?”
“Completely.”
“She sang badly.”
“Burned toast almost every morning.”
“Couldn’t fold fitted sheets.”
“No one can.”
“She claimed she could.”
“Liar.”
“Definitely.”
The Single Dad looked toward the drawing.
“She was better at people than I am.”
“People told her things.”
“Strangers.”
“Cashiers.”
“Nurses.”
“Neighbors.”
“She remembered birthdays.”
“Names.”
“Who was getting divorced.”
“Who needed food.”
The CEO listened.
“She sounds exhausting.”