Based on what she’d already told him about them, that wasn’t surprising. “They are divorced?”

“No, they’re together. But most of the time their relationship seems more like it’s based on a business deal than a love match.” She shook her head. “I’m not sure why I’m telling you all this.”

“It’s okay. Talking is good. We get to know each other.”

She smiled a little. “How about your parents? Are they together?”

His turn to stare at the menu. “Passed on. I miss them.”

“I’m so sorry.”

He nodded, suddenly unsure himself of how much to share. “My father died getting us safely out of Russia. My mother died of a broken heart. She missed him so much.”

“Sounds like they were very much in love.”

“They were. Very good parents. My brother and I were very lucky.”

“You have a brother? I’m an only child. Does he live here too?”

“Boris lives in Japan. Has for many years. He is married and has a child. He teaches mixed martial arts.”

“Is he a fighter too?”

“For a little while, but he liked teaching better. He retired from the ring when he met Shiori.”

“Have you been to visit him?”

“Many times. Travel with the League was always one of the perks.”

An older woman in a Howler’s polo shirt approached the table. The name badge under the logo said Phyllis. “Afternoon, folks. I’m Phyl, and I’ll be taking care of you today. What can I get you to drink?”

“Just water for me,” Lisa said.

“Same here,” Van answered.

“All right. Do you know what you want to eat yet?”

He glanced at Lisa. “You need more time?”

“No, I’m good. You?”

“Also good. Go ahead.”

Lisa looked up at Phyllis. “Chicken pot pie special, please.”

Phyllis scratched a note on her tablet, then asked Van, “And for you?”

“Steak sandwich.” He handed her his menu. “Rare.”

She took it and Lisa’s, then tucked them under her arm. “I’ll get that right in.”

As she left, Bridget returned with a shallow dish resting on a flat plate. “Here you go, fresh from the kitchen so the plate is super hot.” She laughed. “Not that that will bother you, Van.”

“Those look yummy. What’s under all that cheese? Stuffed mushrooms?”

Bridget nodded. “They’re new on the menu so you guys get to be guinea pigs. They’re Philly cheesesteak-stuffed ’shrooms. Eat up, I want a report.”

She left as quickly as she’d arrived.

Lisa’s brows lifted. “That was nice.”

“Bridget takes good care of the locals.”

“This town just gets better.” She stuck her fork into one of the mushrooms and lifted it onto her side plate. Steam wafted off it. “She wasn’t kidding about them being hot.”

Van looked at Lisa, really looked at her, and realized how nice it was being with someone. This was what settling down meant. Being around to do things like window-shop on Main Street or go out for lunch.

He’d never really done much of that. Or any of it, really. But today was showing him just how enjoyable it was.

One more fight was exactly what he needed. Closure, Pandora would probably say. Then he’d be ready to retire.

Ready to live this kind of life. He laughed softly.

Lisa looked up from her mushroom. “What’s funny?”

He shook his head. “Nothing. I just…I’m having a good day. With you. This is good.”

She smiled. “I’m having a nice day with you too. Thanks again for the hat. You’re a very kind man.” She looked a little sheepish. “I really did expect you to be such a different kind of guy.”

“What did you think I would be like?”

She shrugged. “I’m embarrassed to admit it, but I thought you’d be…less…smart.”

He barked out a laugh. “I get that a lot.” He stabbed one of the mushrooms for himself, popping it into his mouth. Hot food wasn’t an issue for him any more than heat of any kind was. Dragons could handle it.

Her smile disappeared. “I’m sorry about that. Not just that I thought it, but that other people think it. It’s not fair. You’re clearly a very smart guy, and you don’t deserve to be judged like that.”

He swallowed. The mushroom was very good. “Life is not fair. Is no big deal.”

“That’s for sure. About life not being fair, I mean.”

He squinted at her. “What would you be doing if you could do anything? Where would you live? Who would you be?”

She blinked at him, and her mouth opened and closed, but no words came out. She took a breath, then finally answered him. “I love my job.”

Said with all the enthusiasm of someone who didn’t want word getting back to her boss. He laughed. “I’m sure you do. But come, tell me what dreams you dream.”

She stared at her fork, her fingers tracing the handle. “I stopped dreaming a long time ago. Dreams turn into disappointments when they don’t come true.”

That made him sad for her. “But you must think about doing something beyond your life now.”

She nodded slowly. “I would like the freedom to do whatever I want.”