"Can I take your order?" the waiter asks, interrupting a perfect moment. Sometimes waiters have the worst timing.
We order, and when the waiter's gone, I say to Brad, "Can I ask you something?"
"Go ahead."
"Why do you like me so much?"
His brows draw together. "That's an odd question."
"Not really. You and I have almost nothing in common. You're a way better fit with someone like Giada. She's smart. Beautiful. Sophisticated. And she's going to be really successful someday, just like you. You two are perfect for each other."
"But I'm not attracted to her like I am to you."
"So it's an appearance thing. You like me for how I look."
"That's part of it, but it's more than that."
"Like what?"
"How I feel when I'm with you. I can relax around you. With Giada, I felt like I was on a job interview. All we did was talk about college and applying to grad schools, and then she started telling me her five-year plan. I just wanted to go out and have fun, but she couldn't seem to do that."
"Really? She's not that way around me. I've never gone out with her, but she seems like she'd be fun."
"Maybe she is with her girlfriends, but on a date, she's all business, like she's husband shopping. I get that a lot when I go out with girls."
"I'm not husband shopping. I'm just looking to have fun." I cringe. "That sounded bad. I didn't mean fun as in—"
"Yeah, I get it." He smiles. "That's an example of why I like you so much. You're funny. Sweet. Kind. You care about people."
"How do you know?"
"Because I watch you. I see you with the kids at the pool. When they're upset or hurt, they always go straight to you over anyone else."
I shrug. "Probably because I've worked there so long. They know me by now."
"They go to you because they know you'll listen to them and take care of them. You'd make a good doctor."
I laugh. "Yeah, that's not happening. I barely passed chemistry."
"And the way you take care of your mom. You have a big heart, Riley. I just wish you'd do more for yourself. It's nice that you put others first, but not if it's keeping you from living your life."
"I don't see it that way. I mean, you can't really miss out on something you could never have."
"What do you mean?"
"Living in this town? Working two or three jobs? That's my life. I don't really have much of a future."
"You can change that."
"How? Is some magic fairy going to wave her wand and give me a new life?"
"What do you want, Riley? If you could have anything, what would you want?"
"I don't know. Let's talk about something else."
"No, really. Answer me. What's your dream?"
"I don't have one."
"Everyone does. So what's yours?"
"You tell me first."
He sits back. "I want to be a doctor, preferably at a small clinic rather than a big hospital. And general medicine. I don't want to specialize. I'm not going to school for twenty more years. I want a wife who loves me, maybe a kid or two, and a house in a place that's warm but not as hot as Arizona. By a lake would be nice."
"Sounds like a good life."
He pauses. "You know you're the first person who's said that to me?"
"Said what?"
"That it's a good life. Everyone else seems disappointed. Like I should want more."
"Like what?"
"Expensive cars. A mansion. Trips around the world. And everyone thinks I should specialize. They say I'll make more money."
"What about your parents? Do they say that stuff too?"
"They're the worst. They're constantly pressuring me to do more. It never seems to be enough. This summer my dad wanted me to stay home and work for his friend. The guy's a plastic surgeon who makes millions a year doing breast enhancements for famous people. My dad was furious when I told him I was coming here to lifeguard. So was my mom. But I don't care. It's my life, not theirs."
"You came here so you wouldn't have to work for that guy?"
"That was only part of the reason," he mutters.
"Nate kind of told me what was going on."
Brad nods. "I figured he had. I don't care that you know, but I'd rather not talk about it. Not right now."
"Okay." I pick up my glass of water and take a drink.
"Hey, we're not done here. You didn't tell me your dream."
I set my glass down. "Um, I guess my dream is to have a place to live that isn't a trailer. And to have a husband." I smile. "One who's really hot and treats me well. And I'd like a couple kids and..." I pause to think. "Oh! It'd be really great to live close to the ocean. Near a beach. I've never been to a beach, or the ocean, but I think I'd like it. I know I would. I used to have a clock that makes ocean sounds and I loved it."
"You don't have it anymore?"
"My mom used it and broke it."
"You've never been to a beach?"
"No. I've never left the state."
The waiter stops by again and drops off our food. It's a great meal, better than I've ever had. Then again, it could be the company more than the food. I love being with Brad. I love talking to him and hearing his stories. And I love that he's funny. He keeps making me laugh, which is what I need after all the stress with Nate.
After dessert, as Brad gets his wallet out to pay, I see him looking behind me.
"Shit," he mutters.
"What?" I ask. "What's wrong?"
He smiles and stands up. "Hey, Aunt Kathy."
Aunt Kathy? Nate's mom is here?
I whip around and see her standing in front of Brad with a man right behind her.
"Brad, what a surprise," she says.
Damn! I knew this would happen. I knew I'd run into someone I knew, but I didn't think it'd be Nate's mom. She never leaves the house. What is she doing here?
"Hi, Kathy," I say, standing up.
Her eyes bounce between Brad and me. "Nate mentioned you two were going out tonight. How was dinner?"
"Good," Brad answers, a big smile on his face. "The food was great. Did you just get here?"
"Yes." She turns to the man behind her. "This is Albert. He's the one who suggested it. I hadn't even heard of it, but he said it's new."
Albert, an older man with gray hair wearing a suit, steps up beside her. "Nice to meet you." He shakes our hands. "Are you friends with Nate?"
"Riley is," Kathy says to him. "Brad is my nephew. The one staying with me this summer."
"Ah, yes." Albert nods and smiles. "The doctor."
"Not yet," Brad says. "Got a few years to go."
"And how about you?" he asks me. "Also in the medical field?"
"Oh, um, no. I work at the hair salon downtown."
"I'll have to tell my daughter. She's been looking for a new stylist."