The next morning, Austin had woken up to see his potential life partner cooking for him. It wasn’t Jeanine, although they had gotten engaged about 6 months ago. Just yesterday, he was Caroline’s best friend but last night they had the potential to be more than that. He didn’t want to say anything out of fear of being awkward.

“We were pretty drunk last night,” Caroline said, while flipping pancakes.

“I wasn’t that drunk,” Austin responded trying to give her an inkling that what had happened the night before was not a mistake.

In fact, he had waited for it. He didn’t want to push things but they were almost 40. How long could they dance around their feelings? They had already done for more than a quarter of their lives then surely another decade wasn’t a big deal.

“We had four glasses. We were both a bit foggy.”

Caroline wasn’t trying to convince Austin. She was trying to convince herself. A part of her felt like last night was one of those beautiful dreams that she often had about Austin, and now that her dad was sick, the dreams had intensified.

“So since there’s a few people in your inbox. Come check them out.”

“What about this guy, Aussie?”

“He looks cool. Message him back.”

Caroline was trying again. Since Father Time and Mother Nature had intertwined so well last night, she hoped for a repeat performance on her tonight. She had no time to waste. She called Lizzie every day to make sure her stubborn father was taking his medication. Every time she called all she heard was Father Time in her ear again.

Austin insisted that he follow Lizzie on her date that night to be sure that she was safe. Besides, there were so many crazy people out there and Austin hated the thought of losing his mermaid haired Carrie to an axe murderer.

He wouldn’t follow them into a restaurant but he would at least drive behind them without her date being suspicious. He would dress in really pedestrian clothing and where a hat and some shades to keep a low profile.

“Sure, Aussie. Shades in the nighttime doesn’t look weird at all.”

“I’m keeping a low profile.”

“Khaki’s, a Tommy Bahama shirt and shades screams white island dude looking for his next date rape victim. Please change.”

“No, I look gorgeous. No one will recognize me this way.”

“Aussie, at this point even I don’t recognize you.”

“Talk to the hand. Come one Caroline, we’re gonna be late for our date.”

“OUR date? Austin you really are an ass.”

“Come on! Time to go!”

His name was Marcus and he wasn’t quite as handsome as what he seemed like on the picture. He wasn’t ugly, just not what she expected. The 37 year old Marcus on the picture had a 6 pack and a big white smile with short blonde hair. Marcus in person carried a round stomach and a few yellow teeth...Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock. Tick...Okay, at least they were straight and they were all there.

“So I have three boys” Marcus proclaimed loudly through his yellow teeth.

Three? That was normal for someone their age. If they had been 21 it would’ve been a different story. As a matter of fact, Caroline felt a bit awkward going on these dates at her age with no children in the picture. A part of her was happy that she still had freedom. Both she and Aussie could pop up on each other when they felt like it. No babysitting schedule, just a work schedule.

“How cute, so where are they,” she enquired.

“They’re all with their moms,” he confessed with a smile.

Moms? He had 3 different baby mothers?

Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock. Tick... “Okay I get it,” she said, privately communicating with father time.

“Oh okay. Were you married at all?”

“Yes, I was. Once for about six years”

“If you don’t mind me asking, what happened exactly?”

“Well everything was fine but we grew apart. Something's aren’t meant to be.”

That didn’t sound right. There had to be a reason why they had broken before the infamous Seven Year Itch.

“Couldn’t wait until the Seven Year Itch, huh,” she said trying her hardest not to seem evasive.

Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock. Tick... “I can tell he’s a liar,” she said silently said to Mr. Time.

Caroline wasn’t trying to be picky at all but something wasn’t right about the guy. She was all for marriage but why had his first one failed? She understood that things often didn’t work out but there was usually more to it.

“Hold on, one of my kids are calling,” he said before excusing himself to the bathroom.

Caroline sent a quick text to Austin.

“He won’t tell me anything. He’s too secretive.”

“Stop being nosey and go with the flow.”

“I was going with the flow.”

“What’s the issue, Aussie?”

“His teeth are yellow.”

“Really? Damn, his smile looked gorgeous on the website.”

“Well it wasn’t. Ok, he’s back stay put.”

“That was my son, Cameron. He wanted to know if I could bring takeout. Apparently his mom burned the Mac and Cheese,’’ he said with a chuckle.

Maybe Austin was right. There was no need to go searching for an issue especially one that a whitening toothpaste could fix in about a week.

“How old is he?’’ she asked genuinely interested.

“He’s 5, going on 25 already,” he answered proudly.

“Still friends with your ex-wife?”

“Not really. She’s not so fond of me these days.”

“I see. Well we can’t all be friends with our exes.”

“Yes, I agree. So how do you feel about sex on the first date?”

“I’m open to it.”

Caroline was totally thrown off by the question. Honestly, she didn’t mind it if the guy was a true gentleman and was handsome enough and had a sense of charm. Marcus possessed none of these qualities. He wasn’t a caveman, but he wasn’t quite the James Bond type either. He wasn’t as suave and put together as she would’ve hoped. Who was she kidding? He wasn’t Austin. Plain and simple.

“Not trying to be a creep here but it’s been a few months if you know what I mean.”

“I know what you mean,” Caroline responded, uncomfortably.

Moments later, Caroline spotted a woman in her peripheral who appeared to be in her late 30’s early 40’s walking in their direction. She had a look of determination on her face. Caroline could feel the woman’s wrath from a distance.

“Marcus.”

Marcus looked in utter shock to see the woman whom he had been married to for six years standing right there in front of him.

“Claire? How did you even find me this time?”

This time? Oh no. Caroline had hit another rough patch. Another rotten apple.

“You seem like a nice young lady but don’t date this creep. He had 3 children while we were together. Unless you want number four, I suggest you leave.”

No one had to twist Caroline’s arm to get out of there. After doing the math she realized that 5 year old Cameron was one of the few boys that he had while married to Claire meaning he had the affair within the first year of the marriage.

“How ridiculous,” she thought.

She stormed out and wasted no time getting into the car with Austin who hadn’t seen her coming because he was on the phone.

She slammed the car door and that was it for the night. Forever. She wouldn’t try again.