The idea had been Cathy's. Take an afternoon for some father and daughter bonding time, get to know the little girl that could possibly be in his future. He'd agreed, taking a day off from the firm, but he still couldn't get enthused over the day out. That's the way good fathers were supposed to act, wasn't it? They looked forward to spending time with their kids. In the couple of weeks that Izzy had been there, he'd waited to feel something. Some paternal instinct, even if he didn't feel like a father yet. Aside from being protective, there was nothing. No connection.
Lunch was another attempt in the making. Part of him wanted this to work out, to make him think twice about not wanting children so he wouldn't feel guilty and terrified everytime the subject came up. He could continue ducking but Cathy knew him too well. Sooner or later, she'd figure out what he wasn't saying and it would hurt her. Their conversation had put them at a better understanding of each other but he still was firmly in the 'do not want' camp. But it wasn't fair to pin the kid's future on the impression she made. Maybe he did change in the future. Maybe he straightened his life out, finally found the path he wanted.
The restaurant was familiar ground. A few blocks away from the firm, it was the place he went to get lunch, meet with clients, Cathy a couple of times, and Eve once. It was someplace he felt comfortable. He didn't want the kid thinking that he hated her, or didn't want to be there with her. Honestly, that wasn't the truth. He was interested in what the conversation would turn up, the child herself.
After ordering a glass of water, he glanced down at the menu in front of him, scanning the choices. When Izzy spoke up, he reached across the table, tapping his finger above the items of choice. "They make some of the best sandwiches in Los Angeles here. I like the turkey one."