Chapter 3
Cassandra
“I’m really proud of you, sweet pea. You’ve done well for yourself.” Dad scanned the room with his black coffee in hand, his hazel-colored eyes sparkled with emotion. “It’s bigger than I remember. Guess that just shows it’s been way too long since I was last here.”
“I expanded it a couple of years ago to add the used book section.” It’d been three years since his last visit to San Diablo. Normally, I drove an hour and a half to his place in Sacramento.
I’d always known my dad was proud of me but having him praise me while drinking coffee in my café made it more special.
“Ah, yes. It’s the books that are new. I’ll have to bring Jackie to see it.”
“That would be nice.” I reached across the table and put my hand on his arm. “I miss you, Dad. I wish we could see each other more often. I know Makayla feels the same.” I couldn’t include Jackie, because I’d be lying and he’d know it.
Last Christmas, Jackie gushed all over Steve the whole day. My baby boy this, and my baby boy that. It was sickening. I’d left early since Makayla wasn’t there. She’d spent the holidays with our mom.
“You’re always welcome to come for a visit too, you know. We’d love to have you.”
I smiled and lowered my gaze to my cup. “Maybe once I hire an assistant manager. It’s hard to get away when it’s always me at the café.”
“I suppose. You could hire your brother. Maybe it would give him a purpose.” He winked.
“Dad, be serious.” I rolled my eyes.
“What? He’s family and trustworthy.”
“Is he? You know he’s always with those bikers. I don’t know what kind of connections he’s been making.” I honestly didn’t want to go down this road, but my dad started it.
My brother was a spoiled man-child. He had some good qualities, like an easy-going attitude, and he loved his family.
But Steve never held a job long term or went to college. He mostly lived off money my dad and Jackie gave him, and side hustles.
“I always liked Chris, so if Steve is around him, I approve.”
“Would you like a refill?” I stood, hoping to change the subject.
“Sure.” He handed his mug to me. “Why did you and Chris break up?”
“Dad, what does it matter? That was a lifetime ago.” And we hadn’t been boyfriend and girlfriend that long anyway.
“Just asking. You both seemed madly in love.”
“We were kids. What did we know about love?” I filled our mugs and put a few more oatmeal raisin cookies, that I’d baked earlier today, on a plate.
Sure, some high school sweethearts married right after graduation and lived a long life together. Maybe that could have been us, but after my brother’s accident, I could never forgive Chris… Slay. Or myself.
“You both had that spark. The it-factor. I really thought you’d end up together.”
“Well, we didn’t.” I carried the mugs and cookies back to the table. Just as I was about to set them down, a knock on the glass door startled me and I almost spilled the coffee everywhere.
“Who could that be?” Dad asked.
“I don’t know, but we’re closed.” I squinted trying to make out who was knocking. And knocking. And knocking. Talk about persistence.
The café closed at seven, and it was nearly eight. It couldn’t have been one of my regulars because they knew when I was open.
“Want me to check it out?” Dad asked.
Suddenly, I made out who was the knocker. “Oh! No, I got it. It’s my new friend, Alek.” I went to the door to let him in. “He’s Russian.”
“Russian? Interesting,” Dad said.
I unlocked the door and swung it open. “Alek, how are you?”
“Good. I saw the light on and thought you were open.”
“Oh, sure. But no, I’m just here with my dad. Would you like to come in?”
“I don’t want to interrupt.”
“It’s okay.” And he would be a welcome diversion. Maybe we could stop talking about Slay. “I have a fresh pot of coffee and cookies.”
“That’s very tempting. Maybe one cup and one cookie.” Alek entered the building. He was a businessman of something… Exporting, I believed. He moved here a month ago and worked from home remotely.
“Wonderful.” I locked the door behind him. “Alek this is my dad, Fred. He’s visiting from Sacramento.”
The two shook hands while I grabbed a mug of coffee and a plate for Alek’s cookie.
“Have you been in America for long?” my dad asked. “Your accent is very thick.”
Oh my gosh, dad! Did he have to be so blunt?
“I travel back and forth. But when I’m here, I stay for several months at a time,” Alek graciously replied. He was always so proper and more refined than most men I knew. I found him charming and enjoyed his company.
“Here you are.” I placed the mug in front of him along with cream, remembering how he liked his coffee. Cream, no sugar.
“Thank you, Cassandra.” He gazed at me, then quickly directed his attention to his cup.
For a week or so, I’d suspected Alek liked me. He asked a lot of questions about me, my background and my likes and dislikes. All the things an interested man would ask, sort of like suitors back in the day who were looking for a wife.
But being the very shy person I was, I had not allowed myself to think such things. It would take me a long time to warm up to a man, no thanks to Slay. I saw him enough around town that it was difficult to put my ex out of my mind and move on.
Also, I might not be ready to move on.
I still cared deeply for Slay, even though I knew we could never be together. We were bonded many years ago. Our history, the good and bad had been cemented in my soul and would last for all eternity.
Slay had no idea how much I’d thought of him, especially every spring when I was reminded of all that I’d lost when I was only a teenage girl.
My dad and Alek fell into casual conversation. It was nice. I sat back and let them discuss politics and the weather, while I enjoyed my coffee.
And then…
Alek’s hand went on my thigh under the table. His gesture surprised me, and I stiffened.
I wasn’t sure what to do. My heart rate increased. Stomach twisting into knots. It appeared my dad hadn’t noticed anything, and I was glad.
Alek smiled and patted my leg in a sweet way.
So, he did like me.
Instead of freaking out, I tried to relax. Perhaps this was exactly what I needed. A kind, attentive man to take my mind off my past love. Someone I could move on with and finally get the life I dreamed about: love, husband, and a child.
I couldn’t wait to tell my sister about this new development. She’d been bugging me for years to get out of my bubble and find a man.
Well, I didn’t have to go anywhere. A charming man came to me out of nowhere.
The universe sometimes worked in a mysterious way, bringing two people together when they least expected it.