Bellissimo Angelo - Book Three

Chapter 20 - Way Off

Dom and I take a ride around town for a bit before he pulls into the local diner's parking lot; we climb off the bike, and he leads me inside. Once we are seated in a quiet booth toward the back, Dom reaches out for my hand across the table, "Is something wrong? You seem as if you the weight of the world on your shoulders, Bella."

I sigh audibly, "I can't get anything past you, can I?"

He chuckles, "I'm all ears, you can tell me anything that is on your mind."

The waitress approaches our booth to leave the menus and to get our drink order. Once she departs, I proceed, "Well, do you recall how happy I was that my best friend, Brie, was coming to town for Gran's funeral?"

He nods his head, "Yes, did she go back home yet?"

"No, see... that's the thing. She is still in town, and she hasn't made plans to hang out with me at all."

A confused look crosses his face, "Hmm... I wonder why?"

I snicker, "I have no idea, but she has time to go to my brother's house for dinner with his family and best friend. It seems kind of suspicious my brother asked Momma to watch the grandbabies while he and his wife make dinner and invite his best friend over...then they invite my best friend..." I stop mid-sentence.

Dom looks at me with anticipation when suddenly it dawns on me, "Wait...Ahhhh!!! I think I know what is going on here..."

Dom shakes his head from side to side, "You do?"

"Yes! I bet my brother and his wife are trying to play matchmaker with Seth and Brie to keep her here! That's it! My brother married Brie's cousin, Mariah. Do you remember her? I introduced you to her at Gran's funeral?"

"Yes, I remember," he answers.

I sit back, smiling ear to ear, "Wow...I am so glad I didn't make a bigger scene..."

His eyes grow wide, "Ohh... my sweet, innocent Maggie made a scene?" he asks curiously. 

My cheeks begin to flush, "Well, I didn't make a huge one, but I wasn't very nice to them, let's put it that way."

"I highly doubt that," he responds as he pats my hand. 

"No, I'm dead serious. Momma asked me why I wasn't very nice to them." 

He chuckles, "Well, I'm glad you figured it out. Maybe your friend will call you soon."

I nod my head and open the menu, "I don't even know why I'm looking; I already know what I'm going to order." 

"Oh? What are you going to order, Bella?"

"Turkey Burger," I reply.

He glances up at me, "Do you order that when you come here?"

I snicker, "Every single time, it's my favorite."

He scans the menu as the waitress approaches our booth to bring our drinks and to take our order, "Do you know what you want to order, or do you need more time?" I ask. 

He shuts the menu and sets it at the end of the table, "I will have what you are having. That sounds good to me. I will try something new."

After the waitress leaves, I continue,  "So how did it go at the doctor?" I ask curiously. 

"It was fine. I am still in the clear."

"Oh, Dom! That is great news!" I respond excitedly. 

He smiles ear to ear, "Yes, I am thrilled it has not returned."