Under the Stars (Sequel to Across the Pond)

Chapter 46

I'm surprised when I come downstairs the next morning to find dad sitting at the kitchen island noshing on a bowl of cereal dressed in a suit and tie.

"You're up early," I greet him when I enter.

"Good morning, honey," he says.

"Good morning!"

I grab a ceramic bowl from the cabinet and help myself to some cereal, too. A different brand than the healthy kind that dad's eating.

I take the seat beside him, nodding at the carton of milk on the other side. "Mind if I steal that from you?"

"It's all yours," he says, handing it to me.

"Everything okay?" I ask. "It's not even 7:30 am yet."

"Everything's great," he tells me. "I've got an in-person interview in about," he holds his left wrist up to his face, "an hour. But I want to make sure that I beat rush hour and get there 15 minutes beforehand."

"Dad!" I beam. "That's great. Why didn't you tell me?"

"I don't know. I didn't want to jinx it or get your hopes up in case I don't get it in the end."

"Does mom know about this?"

He presses the paper napkin to his lips. "Mhm," he says into it.

"First round, second round? C'mon, dad, give me the details."

"First round," he confirms, but before he can say anything else, mom strides into the kitchen dressed in her scrubs. 

"Good morning, everyone," she says. 

"Good morning, dear," dad says, and she goes in to peck him on the lips before walking over to me.

"Hi, sweetie," she greets me before looking at my dad. "Shouldn't you get a move on it, dear? You're going to hit traffic."

Dad looks at his watch again. "Ah, you're right. I better get going."

"Good luck!" I exclaim, and dad comes over to kiss me on the top of my head.

"Thanks, honey."

"You got this," mom tells him softly, and then he's out the door.

***

I can't really think about anything at work. My mind is resting on the hope that dad's first-round interview went well.

I called him on my lunch break, but it went to his voicemail, and I don't know if I should take that as a good sign or not.

I'm spritzing the machines with disinfectant when Bella and Nico stroll in.

"I can't be seeing what I'm seeing," I mock when I notice Bella in workout clothes.

"Uh-huh. I practically had to carry her out of the house just to get her here," Nico jokes.

"Hey, where's the faith?" Bella teases.

"Back on the elliptical, B?"

"Nope," she says. "Nico promised me that he would personal train me."

"Oh, this is going to be good," I chuckle as Nico looks on hesitatingly.

"I don't know what I got myself into, but we're about to find out," he says.

"Well, don't let me stop you," I state, gliding my hand in the air.

I try not to burst out laughing when I watch Nico attempt to teach Bella how to do a pushup, but it's hard. Not that I'm one to ridicule. I can't do a single pushup, either.

I'm tempted to ask Nico where Brooks is, but a part of me feels like I lost that right, so I ignore my curiosity and continue to square things away in the fitness center before I have to lock up soon.

When Nico and Bella are done training, they ask me to grab an early dinner, and we head to Melly's, of course. AKA, their favorite spot.

"I can't believe what I'm seeing," the waiter Benny greets me once we're there. "Remi Baker. In the flesh. I haven't seen you in months, girl."

"Hey, Benny," I laugh.

"Where have you been hiding?"

"Work's been kicking my ass," I tell him. "How are you doing?"

"Good, good," he says. "Funny story, I actually saw your dad today. He looked great. He was dressed in a suit and everything. Looked real nice."

"Ah, he must've come from his job interview."

"Yeah, he looked it. In fact, he was dining with Brooks and his dad."

I shake my head repeatedly, thinking that I heard wrong, and then instinctively look at Bella and Nico, who appear just as clueless as me.

"Brooks and his dad?" I repeat. "You sure about that?"

"Trust me, I could spot Brooks Caldwell from 100 miles away. That kid's always been a little rascal."

"What were they doing here?"

Benny shrugs. "Having a bite, I guess."

"BENNY!" the hostess shouts from afar, and he holds up a finger to us. 

"Be right back."

I squint my eyes at Nico and Bella, but they're just as baffled.

"Why would my dad be here with Brooks and his dad? Don't you think that's weird?" I ask them.

"It doesn't make any sense to me. Maybe Benny's getting them mixed up with other people," Nico suggests.

"No way," Bella interrupts before shifting her body to Nico. "Babe, he spilled the beans to me about you and Cara. Plus, he couldn't forget Brooks if he wanted to. Remember when Brooks was like 5 and would run around the restaurant? Benny would chase after him, trying to calm him down, but Brooks obviously didn't listen and, one time, ended up running into Benny. Knocked the pile of plates that he was holding right out of his grip."

"Classic, Brooks," I mumble under my breath before getting back on track. "So, what are you saying, B?"

She shrugs. "I think Benny's right. I think Brooks and his dad were here with your dad."

"But why? That's so random."

"You don't think...?" Bella begins to propose, but Nico cuts her off.

"Babe, don't be an instigator."

"What?" I ask, but Bella listens to Nico, knowing that she probably shouldn't throw Brooks under the bus.

"Never mind, it's stupid."

"Tell me, B."

"It's nothing," she continues to argue but I give her a pressing look. "Okay, fine. You said that your dad had an interview today...you don't think that it could've been at Caldwell Publishing, do you?"