“No, everything was wonderful. It’s a beautiful restaurant.” Bella’s face shines with pride at Evan’s compliment.
“Perfect. Well, dessert is on me tonight. It’ll be right out.” Bella then leans down to whisper in my ear. “Don’t leave without coming to see Bella, okay?” I pat her hand gently and nod in agreement. I have a feeling that I know what she wants to talk about, but I can’t tell her no.
As Bella walks away, Mom excuses herself to go to the ladies room. Evan starts nervously fidgeting with his hands. Clearing his throat, he pitches his voice low as he speaks. “Melanie, I need to talk to you.”
I lean forward so that I can hear him better. “Sure, what’s up?” When he doesn’t say anything immediately, as if he’s trying to figure out exactly what to say, I start to piece things together. I gasp and cover my mouth. “Are you …?” My question trails off as Evan shushes me. I didn’t realize I was being that loud, but when the couple at the next table peers over at us, I check my excitement and pipe down.
“Shhh. No. Not that.” His face twists in discomfort. Evan’s a big sweetie, but he’s definitely a man’s man through and through. I decide to cut him some slack and just sit intently and listen to him. “I know your mom and I haven’t been together too long, but, well … I … I really like her.”
That last line makes me choke on my water. “Not for nothing, Evan, but I doubt we’d be having such a hushed conversation if you just ‘liked’ Mom. Besides, you guys aren’t sixteen.” I raise an eyebrow at him. So much for cutting him some slack.
He sighs and leans across the small table. “Okay, fine. You win. I love her.” His words are confident and proud, not at all shy or ashamed.
I make a “carry on” gesture. I knew he loved her; I just wanted to hear him say it.
“Anyway, I was thinking of asking her to move in with me.”
“But …” I drag out the word, hoping that he’ll fill in the blank. He better spit it out before Mom comes back.
“Well, I wanted to check that it was okay with you before I asked her. My place is tiny and I know how much your mom loves your house. I don’t want to talk about moving in there with her before I know that it would be alright with you.” He grabs for my hand and, as he gently squeezes it, a tear trickles down my cheek.
Swiping it away quickly, I catch Mom walking toward the table. “I think it would be amazing for you two to move in. As long as Mom wants it, then I want it. And my answer to the question I thought you were going to answer is yes too, just so you know.” I wink at him as Mom slips into her chair. Evan becomes awkwardly silent and it doesn’t take Mom long to pick up on it.
“What were you two chatting about?” She points between Evan and me and gives us “The Look.”
Evan looks like he’s about to choke on his tongue so I cover for him. “Evan was just going over some things about the car.”
Picking up on my little, white lie, Evan adds, “Yeah, I noticed that the gear shift sticks sometimes.” He takes a sip of his water and even though he doesn’t say anything, his eyes tell me “thank you.”
After we finish our dessert and take care of the bill, Bella pulls me to the side. Mom and Evan walk back to the house; it’s only right across the street. I let them know that I shouldn’t be long.
“I need another waitress,” Bella says bluntly.
Wow, that wasn’t what I was expecting.
“Oh, Bella. I don’t know if I can. It’s just that …” She shushes me and waves her hands in front of us, literally trying to clear the air.
“I know what you’re thinking. But Bryan doesn’t come here anymore. He’s too busy with grad school – at least that’s what he said. He moved closer to Cornell and got his own place and everything. He set me up with one of his friends about a month ago and now he does all of the computer stuff.” As Bella is explaining this, I have to admit that I do recall seeing someone who looked an awful lot like Simon from the computer lab walking out of here the other day.
And did she just say a month ago? So he left Bella high and dry just because I live across the street now. I feel bad for Bella. Bryan was so much more than a tech guy for her. She genuinely liked him. My heart softens for this kind grandma-like woman standing before me.
Without much thought, I tell her yes. “But I have a job at a camp during the week until the end of the summer. I can only do weekends.” We’re momentarily distracted by a waitress walking past us. The over-loaded tray that she’s carrying wobbles precariously on her shoulder before it crashes to the floor.
“Oh dear!” Bella calls out as she grabs the broom and some dishtowels to clean up the mess. Of course I help her and the waitress apologizes profusely for screwing up. Bella tells her that it’s okay, and instructs her to go place another order.
Over a pile of spilled ravioli, Bella clasps my sauce-covered hands and says, “Thank you!”
Before I leave, we figure out a few details of when I’ll start. She reassures me a few more times that Bryan won’t be around. I’m surprised and a little hurt that he talked to her about us. But, I guess it’s for the best. We’re not together, and as much as I might be hoping for that to happen again, I’m not so sure that it will.
The next night, I anxiously wait for Bryan to call.
But he never does.
I kind of feel like a fool for thinking that he would call. I ghost my fingers over my cheek and wonder if I’ll ever get to experience his touch again. He’s moved on; I know it. I hate it, but I know it.
Rather than dwell on it though, I spend the night with the girls and Mom watching a few movies. Evan goes to bed early, though I don’t think he is all that tired. There’s no spare room so I’ve let Mom and Evan take my room while I camp out on the couch. He must be watching a baseball game or something because every now and then we hear him yelling at the television.
I’m sad to see them go on Sunday morning, but at the same time, I know that very happy things are on the horizon for everyone. Mom and I solidified plans for Maddy’s baby shower at the end of the month and we’ve also made plans to go wedding dress shopping for Maddy when I come home in August. And hopefully, helping Evan move will be part of my future too.
Waving at Evan’s car as it pulls out onto the main road, my heart feels happy. Despite Bryan blowing me off, I know that I have people who love me. And it’s weird how since I’ve let them love me, I’ve been able to love myself too.
I don’t want to be mad at Bryan for not calling. He doesn’t really owe me anything, but later that night, as I’m getting my things ready for camp in the morning, I realize that we do owe it to Emmie. I don’t want her to keep thinking that we’re together. That’s not fair to her.
Going out on a limb, I hope that he still has the same number. I never deleted his contact information. Somehow, that seemed too permanent.
I dial and nervously wait for him to pick up.
He doesn’t.
I understand that he’s hurt, but if he would just give me a chance to explain. Who knows that he would even believe me about Tyler? But the fact of the matter is, that he at least deserves to know and I deserve …
Nothing, really.
But I do need to tell him and I want to talk to him about Emmie.
I try him once more, but again, he doesn’t pick up. A deep breath and a punch to the pillow later, I’ve calmed myself down a bit. I decide that I just need to give him some space. He probably never expected to see me again; I know I didn’t expect to see him.
As I’m finishing getting my things in order for the morning, part of the perfectionism that will never leave I guess, Peyton comes into my room.
She’s leaning up against the door frame, smiling like an idiot. “Why are you so cheery? That’s very unlike you.” I stick my tongue out at her as she feigns a sarcastic laugh.