Staying Casual

CHAPTER 25 - ALI

We settle at the table reserved for us, it's at the rooftop, overlooking Laguna Beach; all the time, Geo hasn't let go of my hand. I feel giddy all over, he's asked me to be his girlfriend, and it filled me with happiness and relief I didn't even know I needed.

"Why do you never use your last name, Ali?" Jill asks, as we start with our appetizers.

It's a question I'm used to hearing, but instead of giving my rehearsed answer, I say, "My parents taught us to never use our family's connections to gain advantage. A last name that's well-known leads to biases and favors, and I don't want that."

Our meals arrive at a timely manner, and we continuously chat. Stacy told stories about Geo when he was young, and how he initially kept Sleepless City from them.

"I remember him one time in college, he was sneaking upstairs with all these equipment hoping I wouldn't notice. He didn't want to get an earful from me regarding the items he spend his allowance on" Stacy says, eating her pasta.

"No, mom. I knew you would've told everyone and would've played my episodes in the cafe. I wasn't even that good" Geo replied, smiling at me sheepishly.

"Okay, well how about those books you have lying around the apartment. Are you cleaning up before Ali visits you? You are a grown man and should learn how to be responsible of your home" she scolds again.

Geo just rolled his eyes at that and continued with his meal. I can't keep my eyes off of him, he's beautiful and I'm having a hard time believing he decided to be with me for real just hours ago. I was pulled out of my thoughts when Stacy caught me staring at his son and asked, "Have your parents met Geo?" before drinking from her sangria.

"He met my dad and brothers over one of our family dinners, but my parents are amicably divorced, my mom lives in New Jersey" I answer.

"None of you stays with her?" Jill asks.

"My twin and I did, and when he got a job here, I stayed with my mom because my work's there" I falter, thinking how to move the story around Jason when Jill spoke again.

"Oh, right! Geo said you own TATS Publishing, he loves Scouts Honor" she said, chuckling.

Geo gave me a boyish grin, while slicing his steak. "Yeah, my friends and I own it. It started out as school project then we got so inspired we printed out a few copies, funded by my friend's parents", I explained.

"What does your mom do for a living?" Stacy inquired.

"She owns a flower shop in New Jersey. My grandparents raised their children in a farm in Napa Valley; my mom loved nature, hence the flower shop."

Geo cleared his throat, "Where will she celebrate thanksgiving?"

"Liam picked her up from the airport this morning, when he drove Charlie and Sam since they'll be celebrating with Sam's family at New Jersey. Before we got here, Liam messaged me that mom's staying at Dad's. I'll be having dinner with them later, would you like to join?"

Geo shook his head, "No, that's okay. I'm sure your parents would like to spend time with you as a family. I can meet your mom some other time, maybe bring her over to Rustic before she leaves."

I nod at that and finished our lunch. I had a fun time with Geo's family, but I can feel they miss their dad because they kept recounting their memories with him during the holidays. I still smile, knowing how their family would choose to remember the happy memories over the sad ones.

After Geo paid for our lunch, we waited downstairs for the valet to bring their cars. He turned to me, "Need me to drive you to your dad's?" I shook my head no and reassured him that Liam's on his way to pick me up.