Chapter 11
11
Over the next several days, Michelle chatted with several men on the Couples dating app. Just like Jackie had said, a few were from different states and merely wanted to chat. They insinuated that they wanted to meet at some point, but their schedules were hectic at the moment. Michelle didn’t complain.
All the children had stopped by at different times during the week. She confessed that she’d gone out on a date, but it wasn’t something she wanted to pursue. Cade kept her secret, and she didn’t know if she’d ever admit to Adam or Belynda that the man was much younger.
The next week, she received a message from Clint on the Couples app. According to his profile, he enjoyed spending time at home, going on picnics, and adventuring out to local parks and attractions. He was an accountant and lived in Black Mountain but worked in Asheville. He invited her to lunch but suggested they go Dutch. She smiled. She could manage that. She accepted the invitation and decided on where they’d meet. She felt more prepared for this date, so she didn’t tell anyone, not even Jackie.
Michelle told Jackie she had an appointment and couldn’t stay late at the gym. Jackie didn’t seem to mind since it would give her more time with Oscar. As soon as their class was over, Michelle hightailed it home for a quick shower and changed for her date. By the time she arrived at the restaurant, she was a bit winded from rushing, not to mention her nerves. She glanced at her phone... five minutes to spare. The door opened just as she reached out for the handle.
“Michelle?”
“Clint?”
He chuckled. “You’re as pretty as your profile picture.”
Michelle blushed. “Thank you. And you’re just as handsome.”
“Ready to do this?”
“To eat? Yes, I’m starving.”
Michelle laughed inside at Clint’s wide-eyed expression. Just how much did the man think she’d eat?
The hostess seated them at a table for two. She handed them the menus and then left them alone.
“They have lunch specials on the back,” Clint said.
“Yes, I see that.” Michelle glanced over the menu and made her choice.
“Do you know what you want? We can split something if you’d like.”
A red flag went up inside her. They agreed to go Dutch. Why would he want to split their meal too? “That’s quite all right.” She smiled. “I worked up an appetite at the gym this morning.”
“Oh, you have a gym membership? Why do you go to the gym?”
The question took Michelle by surprise. “I like the classes offered, and let’s face it, the weather is a bit unpredictable here, especially in the winter. It gives me a place to work out in bad weather.”
“I see. I have a gym at home for that reason. I don’t waste money on gym memberships. That and the hiking around here is good exercise, scenic, and free.”
Michelle blinked. “I see.” Her lips curved into a slight grin. “I’m glad that works for you.”
“If you put that money in a high yield account every month, you’d have a nice chunk of change when you’re ready to retire.” He gave her a warm smile. “What do you do anyway?”
Few people knew what Michelle did. Bill had called it a hobby, but she made enough money to help sustain her. “I’m retired.”
He gasped. “Really? At your age? How?” He bobbed his head. “Inherited it, right?”
“In a manner of speaking, yes. My late husband invested our money well.”
Clint’s face paled. “Yes, your profile did say that you were a widow. I thought we were meeting during your lunch break. My mistake.”
“It isn’t a problem, Clint. You didn’t know, and I don’t really talk about it.” She held his gaze, hoping to put him at ease.
But she was wrong. Lunch went downhill from there. Clint’s demeanor cooled. Michelle didn’t understand why, but he seemed ready to end their time together. They placed their orders and ate in uncomfortable silence. Michelle tried to bring up a topic they could talk about. “How long have you been an accountant?”
“Thirty years.”
“You must really enjoy it.”
“I like numbers.”
“Have you lived in Black Mountain long?”
“Ten years.”
“Where did you move from?”
“Charlotte.”
Michelle hoped he’d tell her about himself, but his answers affirmed her suspicions... he was done with the date. “Why are you being a jerk?” was the one question she wanted to ask but didn’t.
As soon as Michelle placed her fork on the plate, Clint waved the waiter over. “Can we get the check, please?”
“Right away.”
Clint looked at Michelle. “We’ll just get one check and split it down the middle if that’s all right.”
“Oh.” She pulled out her credit card. “I was going to pay for mine.”
“Our orders were about the same price, so it won’t matter.”
“Sure,” Michelle said, even though she knew his steak sandwich was more than her soup and salad.
When the waiter returned, Clint looked at the bill and held out his hand for Michelle’s credit card. She furrowed her brows and gave him the card while he dug his out of his wallet. He handed the bill with the two cards to the waiter. “We’re splitting the bill. Put exactly eighteen dollars on this card,” he looked at Michelle, “and the balance on the lady’s.”
Put exactly? Michelle wanted to pay for the whole thing and get the hell out of there. Who said that? Dating wasn’t panning out as far as she was concerned. First, Ronnie, who wanted a sugar mama and now Clint, who pinched a penny so tight he squeaked when he walked.
When the waiter returned with the two checks, she noticed that hers was seventeen dollars and ninety-nine cents. One penny! He was so adamant over one cent! Michelle left her tip and signed her name. As she moved her chair back to stand, Clint did the same. “Thank you, Clint. It was... nice meeting you.”
“The pleasure was mine, Michelle.”
She turned and walked out of the restaurant, not waiting for him to join her. “Strike two,” she mumbled as she headed to her car.