An Imperfect Love Story - Book 8

Meeting with Her

LENA POV

It wasn't often these days that I'd be this nervous, but after Denni had asked me for a couple of weeks to have coffee with her I finally agreed. Walking up the steps to the coffee shop where she had asked me to meet her it was a place I knew that police officers often walked in while patrolling or before for their coffee, and it concerns me that possibly Stef and Mike will as well.

It had already been an awkward first introduction between Denni and Stef a couple of weeks ago and I wasn't sure if I was ready for part two. Plus, Stef and I still had not spoken about what we were doing and I never really expected her to show up the other night, but she had and she had fucked the hell out of me and quickly left to head back home to watch over Corey, who right now I just had no words for and who I was trying so hard to understand. But it was difficult and Stef had asked to keep the kids a few more days which I said was fine.

Right now at this moment I can't really worry about what Stef and I are, because I need to be able to live my life, but I plan on pushing her to talk. We had no choice but to and in terms of Denni I told her this was NOT a date but a coffee meeting as friends. She had just smiled at me and told me to meet her at 11 AM as that was some down time for her in between her classes.

As I walk inside, I already see her sitting at a booth, and I nervously smooth my hand over my dress slacks as I had decided to wear them instead of my usual skirt today and blouse.

"Hello," she smiles widely at me as I return it and set my purse beside me as I sit across from her and notice a menu.

"Hi. Are we ordering food?" I laugh lightly as she closes her menu and sets it aside.

"Only if you want to, Lena. I'll see if they're scones meet up to my standards or not," she winks as I nod and look at my menu, not really feeling that hungry but instead I continue to feel even more nervous and a tad guilty.

The waitress comes to our booth now and I order a dark roast coffee and Denni orders her green tea and scone before she looks at me, her hands folded in front of her as she smiles softly.

"So, Lena, you say this isn't a date. Is that because you're dating the police officer you had lunch with the other week? Stef?"

I nervously fold a napkin on my lap as I look back at her for she really had no issue getting straight to the point. "Uhhh, no. No, she's not my girlfriend. She's my...my ex," I whisper the last part as I look back at her.

"I see," she sits back now as our drinks come and Denni's scone. "Your ex brings you lunch? I take it it was mutual?"

"Kind of like that," I clear my throat as I take a sip of my hot coffee. "Look. Denni, I don't know if and when I want to date again. My life has been hell, and I'm honestly starting to arrive in a...a good place for once since, well, since 1969. I'm just at a different point in my life and, it is something that I'm working. My main focus are my kids."

She tilts her head to the side now as she plays with the handle of her mug. "I think we've all been through some sort of hell. No one goes through life unscathed, and I fully understand that your children are your main focus. That's a wonderful thing Lena Adams. But may I be blunt in the fact that, well I'm drawn to you, Lena, and I'd like to think you'd at least let me get to know you. I could use a friend who isn't up my ass trying to kiss it," she laughs lightly as I know she's referring to Michelle, and I laugh with her.

"Trust me. Kissing someone's ass isn't even on my radar. I prefer to keep to myself and work on my art," I spill as she smiles widely, cutting her scone.

"Oh, Lena. You draw? Or paint? I guess that makes sense since you work here, but why are you just a receptionist? You don't want to showcase your work?"

"Ahhh, that's a lot of questions you're throwing at me, Denni," I laugh softly as I sip my coffee.

"Answer any you'd like. No worries."

"Well, I sketch and paint. I guess I've been sketching quite a bit lately, and recently I've started to paint again. It's not been at the top of my list until now, you know I have bit more time. But ummm, it's my degree and I even taught art in a couple of high schools," I admit as I wonder how much I should say as she smiles even wider.

"Wow! I had no idea. I mean it makes sense, Lena. You should let me see some of your work. I'd love to look at it."

I blush now as I nod. "I can bring in one of my sketchbooks. My paintings? You'd have to come to my little homemade studio in my garage sometime," I say as she leans forward.

"I'd love that."

"What made you want to come here to San Diego to teach?" I pry now as I'm beginning to relax as she removes her glasses now and sets them in her purse for she seemed so familiar to me yet I couldn't really place it.

"Well, it's Ivory's senior year in college, and I wanted to see the West Coast some. Chicago can get pretty gloomy and dull this time of year. Not sure if you have ever been?"

"No. I'm actually from the East Coast. Maine to be exact," I smile as she listens intently.

"What brought you out here? This is quit far from home."

"My husband," I laugh now saying it out loud for what seems like years as she continues staring at me very intensely. Although she is not laughing along with me and I realize there is no judgement coming from her for it had been one of the reasons I had not said much about myself. Well, one of the reasons.

"I actually met him when we were just teenagers. He moved in with his grandfather and began working with my father on his lobster boat. We were best friends really. It was me, Will and two of my other girlfriends. And we were all pretty inseparable. Then one day, Will was asking me to prom, and the rest is history," I spill out as she nods and takes another bite of her scone.

"So you had a husband and you had a wife. I take it your two kids are from Will?"

"Yes. Francesca is 15 and Corey is 13. Then I have Callie from my ex-wife. She's 16 almost 17. And, Stefanie is my ex-wife's goddaughter but I love her like my own and pretty much helped raise her. BUT, the kicker is our little boy, Jude. He's...umm, well, he's my ex-husbands little boy with another woman who searched me down for money when she found out Will died. Tried to get child support but is now in jail," I laugh as she reaches across the table now and grabs my hand.

"Hey, Lena. I don't judge you. I know you don't know that right now, but I think we all have a story to tell, and yours doesn't scare me. Just thought I'd get that out in the open, honey," she says softly as she squeezes my hand and let's go, and I can feel my heart practically leaping into my throat as I blush deeply, for what was it about her that draws me in? "And I'm sure your children are darling."

"Thank you. They are." I smile as she returns it.

"Now that we have broken the ice, my dear, let's hope you will be more relaxed around me. And before you say no, I'd love to invite you to an open studio gallery walk down by the pier." She smiles at me as I partly blush now.

"Oh um...what's a gallery walk?"

"Well, many of the art galleries open their doors and exhibits to new artists and people. They also display new artists on the pier. It's a very nice way to meet others in the community and to see what kind of art is surfacing. Especially since I have just found out you are an artist yourself, Lena." I blush again and smile now feeling the shyness start to creep up. Part of me also felt badly considering I knew Stef was keeping the kids a few extra days, and here I was going on outings.

"I hope you will attend with me on Saturday, Lena. Or at least think about it before you say no. Now, I understand you have other obligations and children. I completely understand that. But, I feel it would be a nice opportunity for you and your art. Unless I need to send another two dozen flowers." She smiles again as I find myself blushing even more and my heart racing out of control as I look back into her blue eyes finding my lips speaking for me.

"Well, I think I can. Sure. I'd like that."

"Good. Me too."