Moonlight Over Manhattan(42)

Harriet took another mouthful and pondered. “Yes,” she said slowly, “I think I do.”

“Please, Harriet, may I help myself to a bowl of your beef whatever-it’s-called?”

She finished her bowl. “I don’t think so.”

“You don’t have enough?”

“I have more than enough. But feeding you casserole might be dangerous.” She put her bowl on the tray and stood up. “I’m a seriously good cook. If the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, then you’d fall in love with me and then we’d both be in trouble because there is no way I’d ever go on a date with you.” She had no idea why she was teasing him. Or was it flirting? It wasn’t something she was even aware she knew how to do.

The way he smiled back at her told her he knew everything there was to know about flirting.

“My knowledge of anatomy is excellent. I know that you don’t get to the heart through the stomach, so we’re both safe.” He left the room and she followed him.

Downstairs, she put her empty plate on the counter and watched as he served himself a generous portion of food.

Was she supposed to join him? Watch him eat?

He poured a glass of wine and handed it to her so she had little choice but to sit down at the table with him.

And now she wished she hadn’t taken her food to her room, because it felt a little uncomfortable sitting here watching while he ate.

To distract herself, she looked over his shoulder to the living room of the apartment.

It was about three times the size of hers, and the high ceilings and tall windows enhanced the feeling of space. If she’d had the money, she would have chosen a place exactly like this.

Or maybe a pretty house near the water in the Hamptons. A village, where she’d walk dogs and greet everyone by name. She could call in and see her sister—

Harriet stopped the thought in midtrack.

She was building a new life now. A different life.

Fliss would always be her sister. Always be her twin. But she was kidding herself if she thought things weren’t going to change. They’d already changed.

And truthfully she wouldn’t want to live in the Hamptons. She loved Manhattan.

She took a large mouthful of wine.

Ethan glanced at her. “You’re quiet.”

“So are you.”

“I was eating.” He put his fork down, his plate clear. “You’re right. You’re a seriously good cook. Would you really have cooked that for yourself?”

“Yes. I don’t see why you need to eat boring food just because you live alone. And to be honest I haven’t adjusted to being alone yet. I still think I’m cooking for two. Most days I have a ton of food left over. My freezer is bulging.”

“You just broke up with someone?”

“Not exactly.” Although thinking back, that was probably the way she’d made it sound. “My twin sister recently moved out of the apartment we shared.”

“How long have the two of you lived together?”

Harriet took a sip of wine. “Almost all our lives. There was a brief moment between college and work where we didn’t, but not for long.”

“So you’ve always lived with her and now you’re alone.” He put his glass down. “That must feel strange.”

“It feels like a lot of things. I guess strange is somewhere on that list.” It didn’t begin to describe the emotions that were churning inside her.

“So where is your sister now?”

“She’s living in the Hamptons, with the man she’s going to marry. For the second time.”

Ethan leaned back in his chair. “They’ve been married before?”

“Briefly, when Fliss was eighteen. It didn’t last.”

“So they’re doing it again? They don’t learn from their mistakes?”

“Their mistake,” Harriet said, “was breaking up in the first place.”

“So you think getting back together is the right thing to do?”

“It’s not my decision but since you asked then yes, I think it’s the right thing to do. They’re perfect together. They always were. Their breakup was—complicated.”

“Relationships always are. Tell me about Challenge Harriet.” He glanced at her. “You said you were internet dating as a challenge. What did you mean?”

“Nothing.” Why on earth had she mentioned that? That particular detail of her life was far too personal to share with a stranger.

“You weren’t dating because you wanted to meet someone?”

“In a way, but it was more about doing something I found difficult. I went on three dates.”

“And on the last one you escaped through the window.” His eyes gleamed. “That sounds like quite a challenge. Three dates, and not one of the men were interesting?”

“I’m sure there are women out there who would have found them interesting.” Maybe the problem lay with her. She wasn’t good on dates. Especially not first dates. When she didn’t know someone she found it almost impossible to relax. Maybe, if she could conquer her initial shyness in a first date she might be able to make it through to a second date and possibly even a third.

“But you still met up with them.”