The sun beat down on the crowded pink plaza as Maddy entered its main thoroughfare on foot after securing a parking space in the
densely populated garage. Though excited, she remained cautiously
optimistic; after all, the wounds were still fresh from Kenny's recent
announcement. But perhaps this unexpected date was God's way of
nudging her in the right direction. Even if it turned out to be a dud, she
had to start somewhere. Getting over Kenny was a rough, yet necessary
proposition. And as a wise person once noted, there was nothing like a
new man to make a woman forget all about the one that got away.
But as she approached the horde of beautiful people gathered on the
other side of Baci's floor-to-ceiling windows, a wave of inadequacy
overpowered her again. How could she possibly compete with all that
silicon, botox and designer clothing? Worse, what if this guy Mark was
just as shallow as the Happy Hour revelers assembled in this decidedly
trendy watering hole? Suddenly regretful for having agreed to the blind
date, Madeline abruptly turned away from the main doors and took a seat
on a hot bench situated in the line of fierce, direct sunlight.
Oblivious to the discomfort, she sat lost in thought while the rays
beat down on her uncovered head and bare arms. Should she stand him up?
Nah, that would be incredibly rude and besides, she'd never treat anyone that way,
especially after having been on the receiving end of such deplorable behavior. It just
wouldn't be right. Maddy took a few deep breaths, trying to calm the
butterflies in her stomach. In spite of recent developments, she hadn't
experienced those weird sensations in a while, not since having dinner
with Damian her last night in Nashville.
She'd started feeling strange a few hours before her brother returned
home from work. A well-intentioned Laura had insisted on the two of
them sharing some one-on-one brother and sister time, impervious to
Maddy's protests that a "good luck" dinner at a nice restaurant wasn't
necessary. Of course, Madeline hadn't told her sister-in-law or anyone else
about her persistent problem; therefore Laura had no way of knowing the
real motivation for wanting to stay home with her and the babies.
And after some time alone in the bedroom and bathroom preparing
for the evening, she had successfully-so it seemed-calmed herself
down again. But when the waiter presented her meal, she'd suddenly lost
her appetite. Damian had attributed her nausea and discomfort to
nervousness about moving away, a conclusion with which his little sister
had dutifully nodded in agreement. And though she knew instinctively
there was something deeper at work, she brushed the problem aside,
preferring to deal with what she considered her top priorities-reuniting
with Ken, working hard, making friends and eventually launching a
writing career.
Now that she'd failed at the first objective, making enough money to
support herself had taken on an even greater urgency. She was determined
to succeed in her new home, damned if she was going to give in and
return to Pennsylvania a defeated and rejected woman. Of course, her
family would welcome her back with open arms, but she'd never forgive
herself for quitting without giving it her best shot. Win or lose, Maddy
vowed to see it through.
Her ruminations were suddenly interrupted by a deep, masculine
voice.
"Madeline?"
She looked up to see a handsome man whose beautiful smile, blond
hair and six-foot frame were reminiscent of Kenny, though his grey-blue
eyes lacked the same sparkle and effervescence as those of her former
boyfriend.
"Mark?" she replied, rising to her feet and accepting a handshake that
quickly transitioned into a peck on the cheek.
"What are you doing out here? It's so hot! I just scanned the whole
bar area and figured I'd look for you outside, but I didn't expect to see
you sitting on a bench in the sun. Your blood couldn't possibly have
thinned that much already-you haven't been here long enough!"
"Oh, I love it!" she answered cheerfully. "I may be from up north but
I have always been a warm-weather kind of person. And now that I live in
the tropics, I can't seem to get enough of it!"
"Well, let's get back into the air conditioning before I embarrass
myself by sweating through my suit!" He grinned at her as he spoke,
taking her arm and leading her into Baci's main bar area where, amazingly
enough, two barstools awaited them.
"What can I get you to drink?" he asked.
"Oh, just an iced tea-a regular iced tea," she clarified. He looked at
her quizzically.
"You sure? Wouldn't you rather have a glass of Merlot or
Chardonnay?"
"No, just iced tea, thanks. I have to dance in an hour."
"Oh yes, I'd forgotten about that. You know it's funny, every time I
eat at La Viola, I always notice the people dancing on the second floor of
that building and think, 'someday I'm actually going to take lessons.' But I
never get around to it."
"It's a lot of fun!" Maddy encouraged, "Most people don't realize you
can ballroom dance to pop music. And it's great exercise, too!" Before
Mark could respond, an older gentleman who appeared to be in his late-
60's clapped him on the shoulder.
"Sid! Hey, how are you?" Mark greeted him enthusiastically upon
turning around.
"Just great, Mark, what's going on with you? How are the kids doing?
Is Brian going to camp this year?"
Kids? Was this guy married?
"Yes, he's really looking forward to it! Lindsey isn't quite ready to go
so I am not going to force her. Her mother wasn't too happy about it but
that's too bad!"
"Well, it looks like you have a lovely companion," Sid went on,
nodding at Madeline. Mark made the proper introductions before the
older man politely excused himself and sauntered off to the other end of
the massive room.
"He's a great guy," Mark explained. "We worked together at First
America Bank as mortgage loan officers back in the 80's. Now he runs
this awesome camp for teenagers in Lake Okeechobee; my son is so
excited about going to it this year."
"So you have two kids? Let me ask you something Mark, are you
married?" Her tone bordered on anger as she thought of her philandering
boss and his unsuspecting wife. If this guy thought she was just some
lonely single girl looking to latch on to a "sugar daddy" he was terribly
mistaken.
"What? Oh no, Madeline, I'm divorced! I've been divorced for five
years, though I was recently engaged to someone." He looked at her
sheepishly as her initial relief transformed into defensiveness again.
"Engaged?"
"Well I was until about a month ago."
"Really, what happened? Did the charm offensive fail?" It wasn't like
Maddy to ooze with sarcasm, but between recent heartache and job
dissatisfaction, she was quickly losing patience for this kind of nonsense.
"No, the problem is she's from Connecticut, where her family owns a
thriving restaurant business. I can't get her to relocate here and with my
kids, I certainly can't move there. So there was really no way to work it
out." He was somewhat oblivious to her slightly harsh reaction, distracted
by her pretty face and long, flowing hair.
"Oh, that makes sense," she concurred, softening. "So did you at least
get the ring back?" Mark erupted in laughter.
"Yes-well, she agreed to give it back; I don't actually have it yet, but I
will in a few weeks," he affirmed.
"Good for you, I suppose."
After that inauspicious beginning, the date took on new and enjoyable
life as Maddy and Mark chatted easily about everything from growing up
in the northeast to admiring Ronald Reagan, though Madeline had been
too young both times to vote for her favorite modern President. At ten
years her senior, Mark recalled proudly pulling the lever twice,
concurrently ushering in prosperity in the forms of a lucrative lending
career and a successful real estate "flipping" business.
Funny, she never would've guessed his age; his youthful appearance
and laid-back personality conspired to make him seem much younger.
And his spontaneous sense of humor was a welcome change from most
of the other men she'd observed in these parts. While he was no doubt an
accomplished businessman, he didn't appear to be consumed by an
inflated ego.
Maddy learned of his upbringing in southeastern Connecticut, his illadvised
marriage at 21 to his high school sweetheart and his eventual
move to Boca Raton more than a decade prior. Soon after the young
family's arrival in the Sunshine State, his ex had embarked upon a string
of secret affairs until he'd finally uncovered the truth. That led to an
eventual divorce and tough financial times, from which he believed he
was at last emerging. He relayed to her that while he currently lived in a
nice villa in Windwood, a northeastern Boca community, he viewed it as
nothing more than a transitional place-a temporary shelter until he could
purchase another single family home.
When the conversation shifted to her and the inevitable question of
what brought her to Florida, Madeline was prepared with a well-rehearsed
answer.
"Oh, you know I was born and raised in the Philly area and never
lived anywhere else. And though I'm really close to my family I just
needed a change of scenery. When I did my research it seemed like things
were really happening here. So, one day when I realized I was free and
single, I decided to just take a chance and do it."
"Wow, that's really brave," he complimented her. "I give you a lot of
credit for making such a big move on your own. Most people come here
with spouses or significant others. But after what happened to me, maybe
you've got the right idea!"
Modesty notwithstanding, it warmed her heart to hear these
sentiments; her story was usually met with skepticism and disapproval
from those who thought she was crazy, or worse-insensitive to her
family's feelings. And for the first time in forever, Ken was the farthest
thing from her mind.