“So tell me,” Martha said. “What on earth took you so long?” She didn’t care that she blurted out the big question when Amber had barely sat down. She wanted to know.

Amber gave a shy chuckle. “Before I say anything, I need to know what Micky told you about me.”

“Just that you were worth waiting for. So I did. And if you hadn’t called me after you got back from India, I would have called you myself. Or perhaps taken one of your yoga classes.” She paused. “Hm, no, calling would have been my preferred option.”

A smile formed on Amber’s lips. “You really should come to one of my classes.”

Martha cocked her head as she quirked her mouth up into a crooked grin. “Perhaps you could give me a private lesson some time.”

The smile that appeared on Amber’s lips now stretched all the way to her ears.

“Just for the record, I’m not the type to play hard to get,” Amber said after they had ordered. “The whole thing with you and Micky made me uncomfortable at first and I knew I had this trip to India coming up. I didn’t want to rush into anything.”

“Wise, I guess. Though frustrating for some. Especially the extension.” Martha poured herself more wine and examined Amber’s glass. “You don’t rush into finishing drinks either, I see.”

“I used to,” Amber said. “I used to be quite the opposite of how I am now.”

“I’m very much intrigued.” Martha took her replenished glass and leaned back, hoping to finally learn a bit more about the mysterious Amber Gilroy.

“You should see a picture of me fifteen years ago. You wouldn’t recognize me.” Amber wasn’t offering up any big secrets just yet.

“Let me guess,” Martha said, “that was before you discovered yoga.”

Amber nodded, took another small sip, then said, “I feel we’re spending a disproportionate amount of time talking about me. Tell me about you.”

Martha broke out into a giggle. “Micky also told me you’re very good at changing the subject when the conversation focuses on you too much.”

“I’m just interested, that’s all.” Amber gazed into Martha’s eyes for a few seconds.

“Me too,” Martha said. Suddenly, this didn’t feel like a first date at all anymore. To Martha, it seemed as though they’d skipped right into the third or fourth date, when intentions had clearly risen to the surface and the silences that fell were filled with anticipation.

Martha saw Amber compose herself.

“My mother died when I was twenty-nine and my father not long after I turned thirty,” Amber said. “Their deaths had a big impact on me. When one parent dies of a stroke and the other of a heart attack it makes you acutely aware of your own health. I knew I had to do something because, apparently, my genetics would never work in my favor.”

“Not to mention the emotional effects of losing your parents at such a young age and in such quick succession,” Martha said, hoping she put adequate emotion in her voice.

“It was hard.” Amber’s voice wavered a fraction. “Life is hard for everyone at some point.”

“Tell me about it.” Martha huffed out some air. “But... what doesn’t kill us makes us stronger. To say it with the kind of horrible cliché that should be avoided on first dates.”

“It should make us stronger.” Amber still looked serious.

Perhaps it had been too early for Martha to crack a joke. Amber had just told her about the death of her parents—and Martha had wanted to know.

“I’m really curious about one thing,” Martha said, trying a different tack. “From what I know, throughout Micky’s journey, you’ve been such a great friend to her, not only listening and giving advice, but also pushing her to take a step forward when needed.”

“I also pushed her to forget about Robin and give you a chance,” Amber quipped.

“That was before you met me so that’s all in the past.” Martha smiled. She had put most of that evening’s events out of her head as soon as she’d left Micky’s house—apart from meeting Amber. That memory she had cherished, and allowed to grow into hope, though she’d had to exercise a good amount of patience. “I’m just curious to know what you think about my journey. My situation was very similar to Micky’s, though not exactly the same, of course. I could have been braver sooner. Should have been, perhaps.”

“You’re asking my opinion about how you’ve handled your life already? On our first date? Before the food has even arrived?” Amber was finally up for a chuckle.

“I just wonder what I must look like to someone like you. Someone who seems to have everything pretty much figured out, and has done for a long time.”

“Trust me, Martha, I have far less figured out than I would want to. Sure, I can stand on my head or sit still thinking about nothing for at least two hours on end, but that hardly makes me more adept at life. Everyone is different and we all have our cross to bear.” Amber squared her shoulders. “The only reason I pushed Micky is because I’ve known her for almost forty years. She’s the best friend I’ve ever had. I believed it was about time she did something about her happiness.”

Martha loved how passionate Amber was about her friend. Then the food arrived. Martha had many questions left. Including a tricky one about Caitlin James, but she had to swallow them for now.