Page 44 of His Long-Lost Baby
“I’m sorry for this whole mess,” James says. “I know it wasn’t expected. I promised you some free time to explore during this trip.”
I wave a hand and take another sip of champagne. “It’s okay. I’ll be able to make the most of it tomorrow.”
He clears his throat and unbuttons the top button on his dress shirt. My pulse picks up.
“The hotel has guided tours, you know,” he says. “Maybe you can go on one of them.”
“Maybe.” I run my finger up and down my glass. “Honestly, if I’m not working or taking care of Quinn, I don’t really know what to do. It’s been years since I’ve even been on a date.”
I press my lips back together. Damn it. Did I just say that?
I must sound so pathetic.
There’s a knock on the door, which saves me at just the right time. “Room service,” someone says.
James walks over to the door and lets the room service in. The smell of steak fills the air as the table is set up for us. James pulls out a chair for me, and I take a seat.
Without even mentioning it, the waiter sets a white candle in the middle of the table and lights it.
“Oh.” I stare at the candle. This isn’t the romantic dinner he thinks it is, but me saying anything would make the situation so much worse.
James tips the waiter, who leaves with a smile, and then the two of us are left in the room with dinner, champagne, and a flickering candle.
I clear my throat. “Thank you for dinner.”
“Certainly.” He smiles, but it’s tight. He looks just as uncomfortable as I feel.
He takes a seat across from me, and we eat in silence for a couple minutes. Finally, I can’t stand it anymore. I need to talk, even if it’s the smallest small talk that ever existed.
“So, how did you get into the tech world?” I ask, taking a bite of steak.
James looks up at me, surprised. “Well, I always had an interest in technology growing up, and I majored in computer science at college. I got a job at a startup before I founded my own company, and I’ve been in the industry ever since.”
“That’s interesting,” I say. “I never would have guessed you had a background in engineering.”
He chuckles. “Yeah, I suppose I don’t exactly fit the stereotype. What about you? Did you always want to be a graphic designer?”
I take a sip of champagne, feeling the alcohol slowly taking its effect. “Actually, no. I wanted to be a painter, but my parents weren’t supportive of that career choice. They thought it wasn’t practical, so I went into graphic design instead.”
James nods, his eyes staring into mine. “That must have been difficult,” he says gently.
“It was,” I reply, feeling a lump form in my throat. “But hey, I’m still doing what I love, even if it’s not exactly what I set out wanting to do. I still love painting, and I don’t feel a need to work at it full-time. Maybe one day I’ll be able to do it more.”
“That’s admirable,” James says, his voice softening. “I wish I had that kind of courage to pursue what truly makes me happy.”
I raise an eyebrow. “What do you mean? Don’t you enjoy working in tech?”
“I do,” he says, his eyes flickering with uncertainty. “But sometimes, I feel like there’s something missing. Like there’s more to life than just work and success.”
I lean forward, intrigued. “What do you think is missing?”
He hesitates for a moment before speaking. “Passion. I feel like I’ve lost that spark, that fire in my belly that used to drive me forward. Now, it’s just routine and monotony.”
I nod, understanding where he’s coming from. “I think everyone goes through that at some point in their life. But it’s never too late to find your passion again.”
He smiles, a genuine expression that lights up his face. “You’re right. Maybe I just need to take some time to figure out what that passion is.”
I smile. This feels normal. Natural.