The Art of Starting Over

Chapter 14 - An Unexpected Visit

As I came back down, refreshed and in better spirits, I heard Millie and Sosa singing along to Ben E. King's Stand by Me. I laughed when Sosa messed up the lyrics so badly that the words were replaced with incoherent sounds. 

We ate heartily, and when Millie gave us some of the carrot cake she had made the day before, we devoured that too. We had another cup of coffee to seal the meal and then crammed ourselves onto the sofa to watch Funny Face.

"Where are you and Shaun going tonight?" Sosa asked, wiping the tears from her eyes as the movie came to a close. I handed her a tissue. 

"I don't know."

"Oh, come on, you never tell me anything!"

"No, I really don't know! He made reservations at some fancy restaurant and he won't tell me where."

My mind wandered back to yesterday evening as Shaun walked me to the door. "Wear something pretty tomorrow," he had said. "I have something special in mind." 

Sosa offered to do my hair and makeup but I politely declined. Shaun didn't know about the ultimatum, after all, so I figured there was no need to make a fuss. Though, even as the thought crossed my mind, something tugged in my chest, making me feel not too comfortable with my laissez-faire decision.

Then I noticed Millie staring off into space as her fingers fidgeted with the cushion on her lap.

"Nann," I said apprehensively. "Are you okay?"

"Of course, dear," she answered with a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "So, are you excited for tonight?"

I shrugged my shoulders. "I don't know. It's just a date."

"You just said he's taking you to a fancy place!" Sosa exclaimed and Nanna's eyes softened with concern. 

"I know you don't like to commit to people," she started softly. "And I don't blame you considering everything you've been through. But you're not an island. Everyone needs someone."

I wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "I have you and Sosa. I don't need anyone else."

She didn't look convinced. 

***

Nanna Millie, now alone in the living room, looked away from the TV as my heels clicked loudly on the stone steps. I was wearing a black dress that went down to my calves with a slit that ran high over my left thigh, a gold sparkly clutch bag, gold stilettos, and red matte lipstick. My long hair was tucked behind my ears and draped down my back.

"Oh, honey, look at you!" she gasped, her eyes welling up.

I rolled my eyes at her. Since when was she so emotional? I skimmed through the contents of my bag and checked the time on my phone. Eight forty-five. Shaun would be here any minute.

"You don't think it's too much, do you?"

"No. No, baby, you look perfect!" Millie said, walking over to me and holding my face in both her hands.

"I feel weird."

The doorbell rang, and Nanna grinned. I walked over to the panelled doors, ready to greet the silhouette behind the glass. But my heart shot up to my throat as my eyes were met with a cold, ice-blue gaze that sent shivers down my spine.

"Jeremy?"

He stood in the entryway, tall and lean in dark blue trousers and a crisp white shirt. His eyes grew wide as soon as he saw me, and my insides twisted. I hadn't told him about my date tonight, and knowing him and his intrinsic need to know everything that was going on in the universe, I was pretty sure he wasn't happy to find out like this.