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He’d had an interesting career, starting out as a portrait photographer but eventually making his way to art installations. “Larger corporations have more money to spend on creative, so it made sense to give me the kind of life I want to live.”

“And what kind of life is that?” I asked. “What’s the dream?”

He quirked his lips. “A glass of wine with a beautiful woman on a Friday night is an amazing start. But I also want a life full of travel, adventure, growth. I’ve never been the kind to stand still for very long.”

The waitress brought my glass of wine, and I sampled it. Not bad.

“You like?” Pascale asked.

I nodded. “It’s great.”

“And you?” he asked. “What is the dream for the talented Farrah Elkins?”

I smiled slightly. So much of my life had been wrapped up in my children—giving them the quality of life I believed they deserved. Space to explore their interests, but mostly a mom at home who would always have their backs, just like my mom had done for me. I liked working too—creating something beautiful from a blank slate. Because I knew someday all three children would fly the coop, and I’d be alone.

The feeling hit me like a ton of bricks to the chest as I met Pascale’s curious gaze. “I want to live a life full of love.”

“The best way to receive is to give,” he said.

But I wasn’t so sure that was true, because I’d given to Caleb. I’d given more than I could even put into words. The only man who’d given to me so unselfishly was... Gage.

From the moment he met me, he’d given me a job. A pass on door-dinging his car. Credit card points to furnish my new home. An opportunity to excel professionally. Mind-blowing sex. But was that where it ended?

“I have to use the bathroom,” I said.

Pascale tipped his head toward a restroom at the back of the bar, and I stood, taking my purse and walking that way.

In the quiet of the stall, I got out my phone and made a call.

35

Gage

My ringtone played through my AirPods, and I put down the weight bar, glancing at my phone. Farrah’s name was on the screen.

It was only... a quarter past seven. And I was an hour into my workout, trying to forget the fact that she was on a date with another man. Ignoring the reality that she could decide to be with someone other than me.

I sat up on the bench and caught my breath before answering the call. “Farrah?”

“Hey,” she said gently. Her voice was like the first morning sun on a cold day.

“What’s up?” I asked. “Everything okay?”

“I was just... working on an idea for the front entrance, and I wanted to get your take on it.”

A smile formed on my lips.

She was calling me on her date.

Me.

“Let’s hear it,” I said.

She paused. “A coat tree.”

“A coat tree?”

“Yeah,” she said. “They hold... coats.”