Chapter 8
Jake
It’s bright and early and I can hear the faint padding of footsteps down the hallway.
Charlotte must be up. I stretch my arms wide and turn to see that my bed is completely empty.
I toss the covers aside and look to the bathroom.
The door is open and light off. I scan my room, the light grey carpet is bare, except for my clothes in a small pile.
I get out of bed and tug on a pair of sweatpants. I head to the kitchen. I find Mallory in her outfit from yesterday stirring a pot of batter and Charlotte perched at the island, her little legs swinging as Mallory tells her each step.
“I know I promised waffles, but I couldn’t find a waffle iron.” Her hair is pulled back into a ponytail and she smells like vanilla. I kiss her forehead and Charlotte giggles. To avoid any questions, I go and kiss Charlotte’s forehead as well.
“Mallory came over to make me breakfast Daddy!” Charlotte exclaims as I sit next to her at the island. Mallory raises her eyebrows and stares intently at me. As if a silent exchange is all we need to be on the same page.
“How thoughtful,” I say. Mallory turns and starts to spoon little bits of batter in the pan. Little sizzle sounds are the only noise in the kitchen. Mallory is unusually cold towards me, her back to us.
“Did you sleep well Char,” I ask as she nods with gusto. She tells me about a dream she had where a unicorn came to her tea party but they didn’t have a seat big enough.
“Alright, they’re ready. Bon appétit!” Mallory slides some plates in front of us.
Normally I don’t want Charlotte to eat in the kitchen.
I strive for a dining table meal, but it’s a special circumstance.
I notice Charlotte’s plate is already pre-cut.
Mallory hands the syrup over and we all eat in silence.
“These are delicious, thank you,” I say with a mouthful of pancake. Charlotte giggles again as I note, “nothing burned down, good job.” I grin as Mallory sticks out her tongue. “Do you want a ride home?” I ask after I swallow another bite.
“It’s okay, I have plans at the community center,” she looks at her plate, refusing to make eye contact. “The Heart-to-heart Festival is wrapping up this week and it’s the whole reason I’m here,” her eyes find mine. And my heart skips a beat.
Of course. She’s here to meet singles. All sorts of singles. To find love, or at least have a chance at finding love. Not settle with the one person who clearly is tied to the town.
I feel jealously creeping in as I imagine her out on dates with other guys.
We eat as Char tells us about her plans to build a fort and then breakfast is over. Mallory says she’s got to run and I let her leave without any protest.
I clean up the dishes and get Charlotte ready for the day. I don’t have work so it’s just the usual weekend day of chores, grocery shopping, and making sure Charlotte stays occupied.
But the entire day I’m racking my brain about what could have changed.
What shifted during the night for Mallory to so easily slip away.
And it hits me as I’m trying to fall asleep.
She must’ve been awake when I whispered “I think I’m falling for you.
” I thought her steady breathing meant she was already asleep. I don’t know how to fix this.
Or if I should.
I told her this wasn’t going anywhere. But the words I said were true, straight from my heart. I couldn’t keep them inside. They tumbled out into the darkness of my bedroom. I’ll just chat with her tomorrow, I’m sure she’ll be at the bakery.
Monday passes and no sign of Mallory. Work was hectic and we’re rushing to finish a huge order for the big ball that’s the end of the Heart-to-Heart festival. We do the sweets table every year but this year we’re also in charge of the breakfast baked goods the day after.
It’s Tuesday and it’s been radio silence from Mallory.
I sent her a text yesterday but it was left on read.
Valentine is a small town, I’m bound to run into her at some point.
I pick Charlotte up from daycare and ask if she’d like to grab pizza for dinner.
She gives an eager yes and we’re off to one of the family run restaurants in town.
Our town only has a few options, a classic diner, an upscale steak place that people drive from towns over to eat at, and the tiny mom and pop Italian restaurant.
We’re headed to Nonna’s, the charming Italian restaurant with a secret sauce recipe the family swears comes from generations back in Sicily.
We get seated in one of the red leather booths and the smell of garlic wafts around us.
One plus side to being locals is you get seated right away, in your usual spot.
And before you can say anything the waitress brings your regular drink order with a basket of fresh, warm garlic bread.
“When will Mallory be over again?” Charlotte asks after the waitress brings her a glass of apple juice. I take a long drink of soda as I weigh my options on what answer to give.
How much should I disclose to a four-year-old?
“I’m not sure Char. She’s here on vacation.”
“But what about girls’ day?” she whines. Which is unusual. Charlotte is an amazing kid, not a trouble maker or a rulebreaker. Whining is uncharacteristic, unless she’s tired. Which, with the energy she has now as she colors the kid’s sheet, is unlikely.
“She’s busy Char, she’s here for the festival. I don’t think there will be another girl’s day sweetie.” I didn’t realize how attached Charlotte had been getting. I thought that since she knew upfront that Mallory wasn’t from here then she would understand at some point Mallory would leave town.
“Can we ask her?” Charlotte asks as she points at another table. I look in the direction, and sure enough, there is Mallory sitting with another guy. Not even someone I know, so he must be an out of towner like her.
A swirl of jealously and desire mix in my stomach.
She’s wearing a striking red velvet dress with long flowy sleeves and a low-cut neckline that accentuates her bust. Her long blonde hair curled, bouncing ever so slightly as her head moves as she chats with the mystery man.
Her bright red lips match her dress and I can feel the lust growing, shoving envy aside.
“Not now Char, let’s eat.” The waitress brings our usual pepperoni pizza over and I take a piece to add to Charlotte’s plate. “Do you want me to cut it?”
“No,” she picks up the slice and starts to eat.
I let my eyes wander over to the table where Mallory sits. She’s laughing and places her hand on the guy’s forearm. My stomach clenches, I’ve lost my appetite.
You told her it was nothing.
I shake the nagging voice in my head and pay attention to Char.
I answer yes to something she says but I realize after she slides out of the booth that I wasn’t fully paying attention to her words.
I watch her run over to Mallory and tug on her dress sleeve.
Mallory’s eyes widen with surprise and she knocks over a glass of wine as she scoots her chair backwards to stand.
I stand and hurry over just as they’re dabbing napkins and the waitress brings a dish towel over to dab the table. We get the mess cleaned up and Char is able to give Mallory a tight hug before Mallory sits back down at the table.
“Jake, Charlotte, it’s nice to see you,” Mallory gestures to her date, “this is Todd, he’s in finance and based in New York.
We met at salsa dancing last night.” I shake his hand before letting my gaze roam Mallory’s body.
She bites her bottom lip and then sips her water.
What I want to say is “You should be eating with us. You should be with me.” But that’s not right.
We both know this had no real-life happily ever after ending.
So instead, I tell both of them, “Nice to meet you, sorry we interrupted your evening.”
Charlotte hugs my leg, but asks Mallory, “Can we have a girl’s day?” She is laying it on thick. I know by her tone she has those big round puppy dog eyes. Mallory looks from Char to me. I shrug my shoulders.
The jealousy is fist-fighting the clear desire I have for Mallory.
“I think we can do that,” Mallory looks to me, “can I spend tomorrow afternoon with Charlotte? They’re having a family friendly painting class at the community center.”
“Daddy, please!” She tugs on my jeans and I can’t help but agree to it.
“I’ll make sure she’s at the bakery if that works.” It’s as if co-parenting. The awkwardness surrounding scheduling time with a shared child. Except it’s just Charlotte so enamored with Mallory, a woman who wants nothing further to do with me.
And that’s something I need to deal with on my own.
I tell Charlotte we need to finish our dinner.
We say goodbye to the seemingly happy couple and head to our booth.
Charlotte is chatting away about painting and what she wants to wear.
All I can do is think about asking Mallory to stay.
She’s not working, she’s not close with her family, she could move to a new country.
People move for love. It’s in all the movies.
How in the world did I fall in love in less than a week?
You’ve done it before, just with the wrong person.
The little voice in my head quips. And when I look at Char’s happy face, I realize I can’t risk her happiness on a chance that Mallory may consider relocating her entire life. Charlotte comes first, no matter what.
No matter that my heart aches at the thought of doing nothing. Of letting Mallory slip away back to her life in Canada. Or worse, finding a Mr. Right, that perfectly fits into her life as is. That doesn’t come with massive baggage and a child in tow.
She deserves the best. And that’s not me.
Not right now anyways.