Chapter 73: Having your person

The restaurant Newton chose was a modern, lively grill downtown loud enough that they did not have to whisper, but private enough that they could actually hear each other.

He was already sitting at a booth near the back, checking something on his tablet, but he shut the screen the second he saw her walk through the door. "Hey," he said, sliding out of the booth to give her a quick, one-armed hug. "You made it past the lunchtime traffic." He said, referring to the traffic that came with that time of the day.

"Barely," Selen said, sliding into the booth and dropping her bag onto the seat beside her. "The main intersection by the office is blocked off. It is chaos out there. I might have to do the rest of my work at home instead of spending my remaining work hours in traffic" she said.

"That means you get to spend more time with me here," Newton said with a small laugh, handing her a menu. "Way to find a silver lining" Selen said back and collected the tablet from him.

"I already ordered some sparkling water for the table. How has your morning been?" he said. "Chaotic," Selen responded, opening the menu. "But the flowers definitely helped. They really brightened up my desk." She said honestly.

"Good. That was the plan," Newton smiled. "Though I do not think I’m very subtle about it." He said to her and Selen smiled at him in response. The waiter came by, and they kept their orders simple. Once the waiter took the menus away, Newton leaned forward, resting his forearms on the table.

"So, how is Diana doing? Did the doctor give any updates on the medication switch?"

"She’s actually doing okay. She now moves on her own without help. Although a bit drowsy in the mornings, she’s managing" Selen said, feeling a bit of the tension leave her shoulders.

It was a relief to talk about it with someone who just listened. "The school actually agreed to let her take a placement exam this summer. If she passes, she moves up to the next class with her brothers, even though she’s doing online learning from home." She added.

"Wow, that is huge," Newton said, nodding. "She is a smart kid. Honestly, she’ll probably breeze through it. I need to get her a congratulatory present when she passes" he said. Selen smiled at his confidence in her daughter.

"She is incredibly determined to keep up with the boys." Selen said. "She gets that stubborn streak from you," Newton teased, making Selen laugh. "And how are the boys handling everything?"

"They are fine, just busy with school and sports, and family time" Selen said, taking a sip of her water. "They miss having her around during the day, but they make up for it when they get home. The house is never quiet for long."

"Well, make sure you take care of yourself too," Newton said as the waiter returned and set down their plates. "You spend so much time coordinating everyone else’s schedules that I worry you forget to eat or sleep."

Selen nodded slowly, picking up her fork.

The conversation shifted easily from there. Newton told her about a ridiculous argument two of his project managers had gotten into over a missing page of a document that ended up halting a floor plan review for two hours.

.

They talked about her new studio and how she was working toward launching it. It was normal, everyday conversation, and that was exactly what Selen needed. She was just a person having lunch with a guy who genuinely liked her company.

As they finished up their food, Newton looked at her, his tone becoming a bit more grounded but keeping its casual upfrontness. "I thought of a name but I am still skeptical about it" she said with hesitation. "Go on, what is it?" He asked. "three D, as in my three kids and also that painted works are like 3D pictures. Or is it too cliche?" she said to him.

Newton was smiling in awe at how smart she was. "Selen, I think that three D is a perfect name" he said with a full grin on his face. Selen nodded slowly in agreement. "I just worry that most people might not get the meaning," she said, sincerely casting her worries.

"Anyone who does not get it should probably not even be in an art studio in the first place" he joked, trying to loosen the tension she had and it worked because Selen began to laugh at his statement.

When they finished with their lunch, Newton spoke up again, "look, I know your plate is completely full right now with Diana ’s recovery and the boys. I do not expect you to have everything figured out, and I do not expect a lot of your time. I just want you to know I’m here for whatever you may need" he said.

Selen looked at him, feeling a genuine sense of relief. There was no pressure in his voice, no hidden demands. "Thanks, Newton. That honestly means a lot." He paid the bill and they walked out to the parking lot together.

When they reached her car, Selen unlocked the doors and turned to face him. "Thank you for lunch, Newton. And for the distraction. I really needed an hour where I was not thinking about a million things at once" she said.

"Anytime. Really, anytime. Just call me and I will be down to take a break from my own busy life" Newton said. He stepped in a bit closer and gave her a warm, lingering hug. He kept things comfortable and natural, reading her mood perfectly.

"Call me later tonight if you are free, even if it is just to vent about the kids’ homework." He said.

"I might take you up on that," Selen said with a smile. She got into her car and started the engine. As she pulled out of the parking lot, the heavy, anxious feeling that usually lived in her chest felt just a little bit lighter.