The Man Who Learned to Ask
Chapter 18 - The Man Who Learned to Ask
Months passed. Emma returned to work at the community arts center, where she organized neighborhood exhibitions and taught introductory classes. Adrian sometimes volunteered to assemble displays or move tables, but he never assumed his presence entitled him to a say in her decisions.
They became friends through ordinary repetition: shared coffee after Lily's visits, conversations about Rose, walks with June in her stroller. Adrian slowly learned that Emma was funny when relaxed, stubborn about bad coffee, and fiercely protective of her independence.
One afternoon he asked whether she would like to have dinner with him without lawyers, children, or any other reason to be together.
Emma looked at him for a long time. "Are you asking me on a date?"
"Yes. You can say no."
"I know that," she said. "It's one of my favorite things about my life now."
He smiled nervously.
She thought about the stairs where he'd first accused her and the months of actions that followed. "One dinner. Somewhere normal. And if you start ordering for me, I'm leaving."
May you like
Adrian laughed. "Understood."
Their first date was at a small Italian restaurant with paper napkins. He listened more than he spoke. She noticed.
