Across the Pond

Chapter 24

This week has been both mentally and physically exhausting. I'm finally starting to get the hang of things at work, but Sweets isn't a joke. The place is always packed. There's always someone ordering something. Danny's been showing me the ropes, which has been helpful, but still. There's a lot to learn.

After work yesterday, he asked me to grab a late lunch. I said yes and he took me to this Australian café. I can't pin-point my feelings for him exactly, but I know that I want to get to know him better. He gives me the vibe that he's into me, so I guess we'll just have to wait and see. On another note, I haven't spoken to Nico since our last conversation, which was five days ago. No call, no text, no run-in. Nothing.

I decided to stay in tonight. Remi asked me to hang, but I feel like I haven't spoken to mom or Grandma Ruby in what feels like forever. We ordered from our favorite sushi restaurant, which was delicious. Mom opened a bottle of wine for herself and Grandma Ruby to enjoy while I sipped on an iced tea. I love seeing them both so care-free and cracking jokes. I definitely could use the laughs and lightheartedness.

Grandma Ruby doesn't live too far from town, so after dinner, we decide to walk to the local ice cream shop for dessert. All the clothing stores are closed, but the streets are pretty full.

"Bella, I want to buy you something like this," mom says as we pass by a window with a mannequin wearing a floral summer dress.

"Oh, how lovely is that?" Grandma Ruby adds on.

"I'm good," I tell them, and mom pouts her lips.

"Guess I'm just going to have to accept the fact that you're going be wearing jean shorts and those dirty pair of Converse for the rest of your life."

"Guess so," I smile as we round the corner.

"What abo-," mom says, but is cut off when she bumps into a tall body. We all look ahead at the same time to find Adam standing in front of her.

"Oh my gosh! Carrie...hi!" he smiles, completely shocked to see her. At first, mom's the only one who holds his attention, until he notices me and Grandma Ruby standing to the side. "Ruby, Bella, hello!"

"Hi!" we all say at the same time, then look at each other and smile.

The shocked expression on his face lingers for a few seconds longer. It's endearingly obvious that he likes my mom. He's liked her from the moment that he laid eyes on her. I remember the night. Grandma Ruby was having a bunch of people over for an early dinner party and she had invited Adam. She claimed that she was inviting her entire block, but Adam was the only neighbor that was there. I know what Grandma Ruby was trying to do, and I respect her for it.

My grandma and I try to push my mom to go out more. She can tell us countless times that she's happy with her life as it is, but we both know that that could change if she met the right person. 

Adam's well-put together, and I've got to admit...I dig the salt and pepper hair. He founded a tech company that's supposedly doing really well, and has never been married. According to Grandma Ruby, he was super focused on launching his own business and prioritized that over starting a family. But now, he's ready to settle down and share his life with someone.

"Well isn't this a surprise?" mom says.

"A wonderful surprise," he answers.

"What brings you into town tonight, Adam dear?" Grandma Ruby chimes in. I always loved the way she calls everyone 'dear'.

"I just grabbed dinner at Cesare's with a bunch of work buddies."

"Oh, is that the Italian place that just opened around the corner?"

"Sure is," he nods. "I highly recommend." He looks at mom again before realizing that he's only facing her, and then shifts his body to the center. "What about you three? What have you been up to tonight?"

"Ice cream, of course," I hold my half-eaten sugar cone up and say.

"Ah, I see you went to Evelyn's Homemade Ice Cream Shop."

Grandma Ruby and I don't respond this time. We wait for mom to. But when she doesn't, I take the reins again. "Yup, it's only the best."

I don't know why mom's being so quiet. It must be the nerves. I quickly glance at her and you can tell that she wants to say something, but is holding back.

"Please tell me you got graham cracker."

"That's a flavor?"

"It's the only flavor. I won't order anything else."

"Good to know," I nod my head. "I'll be sure to order it next time. And, hey, maybe you'll join us?"

"Consider me there!"

"Adam, do you have plans tomorrow night?" Grandma Ruby asks.

"I want to say yes just so that I sound super busy. But, no, I can't say that I do."

"Perfect! Because I'm having a bunch of people over for dinner," oh, here we go again, "and I'd love to have you over."

"I'd love nothing more."

"Figure 6 o'clock?"

"I'll be there." He looks at mom for a third time and you can tell by the hopeful expression on his face that he's waiting for her to say something. "Well, enjoy the rest of your night, ladies. I'll see you tomorrow."

I wait for Adam to fully walk away, then lean into my mom. "What was that?"

"What was what?" she plays dumb and asks.

"Is there a reason why you didn't utter a word to Adam? He was clearly trying to talk to you."

"No he wasn't."

"I don't get you, mom. A nice guy right in front of your face, but what? What's wrong?"

"He's not into me like that."

"He asked you out..."

"Once!"

"Twice!" I correct her. "And you turned him down the second time. Why would he try taking you out again when you rejected him? He probably thinks you're not interested." I pause, waiting for her to give me some sort of inclination that she is, but when she doesn't, I feel the need to press. "Are you?"

"I don't know," she says.

"Then why don't you give him a chance?"

"I'm...I'm just not ready to date." If that were true, then I'd leave this conversation alone. I would never encourage my mom to date someone if she wasn't ready. But I know that she's lying.

"Bullshit!" The word accidentally slips from my mouth. "Sorry mom, but you know it is. Are you afraid? Is that what this is?"

"I'm not afraid, Isabella. What's there to be afraid of?"

"I don't know. That you might get your heart broken again?"

Mom fakes a smile and shakes her head. "I'm not going to get my heart broken again because I won't put myself in a situation where that can happen."

"Well then I guess you just answered my question. You're afraid of putting yourself out there because you don't want to get hurt. And mom, I love you, but you deserve to be happy again. Just think about it. Will you do that for me?"

She lets out a sigh, looking from me to Grandma Ruby, then back to me again. "Fine."

"Thank you," I softly smile. "Plus, you don't really have much of a choice since grandma invited him over tomorrow night for dinner." I turn to Grandma Ruby. "I didn't know you were having people over tomorrow night.

"Up until 5 minutes ago, neither did I," Grandma Ruby laughs.

Gosh, I love this woman.