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you’ve got so much to offer someone. I know there’s someone out there for you somewhere.”
    “I’m sure there is. I just haven’t met him yet.”
    “Are you even looking?”
    “When I can. But my boss is a real stickler, you know. Won’t give me a moment’s rest.”
    “Maybe I should talk to her.”
    “Maybe you should,” Theresa agreed, and they both laughed.
    Deanna picked from the stack and discarded a seven of spades. “Have you been dating at all?”
    “Not really. Not since Matt What’s-his-name told me he didn’t want a woman with children.”
    Deanna scowled for a moment. “Sometimes men can be real jerks, and he was a perfect example. He’s the kind of guy whose head belongs mounted on a wall with a plaque that reads ‘Typical Egocentric Male.’ But they aren’t all like that. There are lots of real men out there—men who could fall in love with you at the drop of a hat.”
    Theresa picked up the seven and discarded a four of diamonds. “That’s why I like you, Deanna. You say the sweetest things.”
    Deanna picked from the stack. “It’s true, though. Believe me. You’re pretty, you’re successful, you’re intelligent. I could find a dozen men who would love to go out with you.”
    “I’m sure you could. But that doesn’t mean that I would like them.”
    “You’re not even giving it a chance.”
    Theresa shrugged. “Maybe not. But that doesn’t mean I’ll die alone in some boardinghouse for old maids later in life. Believe me, I’d love to fall in love again. I’d love to meet a wonderful guy and live happily ever after. I just can’t make it a priority right now. Kevin and work take all my time as it is.”
    Deanna didn’t reply for a moment. She threw down a two of spades.
    “I think you’re scared.”
    “Scared?”
    “Absolutely. Not that there’s anything wrong with that.”
    “Why do you say that?”
    “Because I know how much David hurt you, and I know I’d be frightened of the same thing happening again if it were me. It’s human nature. Once burned, twice shy, the old saying goes. There’s a lot of truth in that.”
    “There probably is. But I’m sure if the right man comes along, I’ll know it. I have faith.”
    “What kind of man are you looking for?”
    “I don’t know. . . .”
    “Sure you do. Everyone knows a little bit about what they want.”
    “Not everyone.”
    “Sure you do. Start with the obvious, or if you can’t do that, start with what you don’t want—like . . . is it all right if he’s in a motorcycle gang?”
    Theresa smiled and picked from the stack. Her hand was coming together. Another card and she’d be done. She threw down the jack of hearts.
    “Why are you so interested?”
    “Oh, just humor an old friend, will you?”
    “Fine. No motorcycle gang, that’s for sure,” she said with a shake of her head. She thought for a moment. “Um . . . I guess most of all, he’d have to be the kind of man who would be faithful to me, faithful to us, throughout our relationship. I’ve already had another kind of man, and I can’t go through something like that again. And I think I’d like someone my own age or close to it, if possible, as well.” Theresa stopped there and frowned a little.
    “And?”
    “Give me a second—I’m thinking. This isn’t as easy as it sounds. I guess I’d go with the standard clichés—I’d like him to be handsome, kind, intelligent, and charming—you know, all those good things that women want in a man.”
    Again she paused. Deanna picked up the jack. Her expression showed her pleasure at putting Theresa on the spot.
    “And?”
    “He would have to spend time with Kevin as if he were his own son—that’s really important to me. Oh—and he’d have to be romantic, too. I’d love to receive some flowers now and then. And athletic, too. I can’t respect a man if I could beat him in arm wrestling.”
    “That’s it?”
    “Yep, that’s all.”
    “So, let me see if I’ve got