Chapter 5
CHAPTER FIVE
Carly
I can hear Ava explaining to her stuffed animals why some of them can’t come to Italy. We still have two whole weeks before we leave, and she’s already been packed for days.
“Aves, I’m going to shower. I’ll be out in a few minutes,” I call out as I head into my bedroom. I never lock the door because, one, it’s only me and my daughter, and two, if she needs something, she can come get me.
“OK,” she replies and immediately goes back to playing with her stuffed animals. I do feel bad that I never gave her a sibling, but at least she’s good at playing by herself.
I did want more kids. I always imagined myself with two or three kids, but then again, I imagined a totally different life than the one I have. I sure didn’t think I’d be solo parenting.
At least between teaching and my summer tutoring job, I can give us a somewhat comfortable life.
Although I’m grateful to have the money from that ring.
I wish I could have found its owner, but I guess being able to take my daughter on a trip abroad is even better.
Kasen helped us get an expedited passport for Ava yesterday.
And now, I just need to pack, but I’ll have time next week to do that.
I strip down and get into the shower. It’s the one time of day that I truly relax for a few minutes. I let the steaming hot water run over me as I wash my hair. I decide today will be an everything-shower day.
After shaving, putting on a face mask, and then using way too much lotion afterward, I hang my towel up to dry and walk into my bedroom in search of my favorite underwear. It’s Saturday, which means I’m off and can actually spend time with Ava.
Just as I turn toward my door, it swings open.
“Carly?” Bray’s voice calls out as his eyes focus on my naked body.
Neither of us moves for several seconds. Bray’s eyes eventually make their way up to mine. I swallow nervously and grab my blanket off the bed, pulling it up to cover myself.
“Oh…I…shit, sorry,” he mumbles and quickly shuts the door.
I stand there, naked behind my blanket for a good ten seconds. Did my best friend just ogle me? No. He was just surprised. I’m way overthinking this. I mean he’s practically seen me naked before when I was wearing a two-piece bathing suit.
“It’s OK,” I say as I grab my underwear and some leggings. I quickly dress and find a t-shirt, tossing it on and opening my door.
I hear quiet talking and find Bray in Ava’s room. They are building a fort with pillows from her bed.
“Hey,” I say, my face heating as he looks up at me. I swear his cheeks turn pink, but then he ducks under a pillow.
“Hey, sorry about that. Ava didn’t tell me you were changing,” he says, and I hear Ava giggle.
“Oops,” she manages.
I glance down and find him tickling her. I shake my head. “What’s up?” I ask him.
“I was going to see if you ladies wanted to join me for brunch,” he says, peeking back out with a bashful look on his face.
I roll my eyes. “Of course we want brunch. Don’t we, Ava?” I say with a grin and a shake of my head. “Just…let me change…alone,” I add as I leave, giving him a smirk over my shoulder.
His eyes don’t leave mine until I turn to walk away, breaking our contact. What’s up with him today?
With another shake of my head, I find a cute sundress and sandals and put them on while contemplating what just happened.
By the time I’ve pulled my hair into a messy bun and popped some sunglasses on my head, I’ve talked myself into believing that it was no big deal and I’m overreacting.
“I’m ready,” I say as I walk back out to find Ava dressed and ready to go.
She’s on Bray’s hip and he’s pointing out the window.
He turns to me, and for a spilt second my heart melts.
God, why does he have to be so good to us?
He’s everything I could want in a partner, but it’s been over three years now and he’s never once shown interest in me.
We are so far into the friend zone, I don’t see how we’d ever be anything more.
“Let’s go, Peanut. French toast awaits,” he says as he bounces her just like he’s done since she was three years old.
She giggles, and he sets her down. We make eye contact again, and I blush as I turn to go get my purse. What the hell is happening today?
I decide mimosas will cure whatever my issue is.
We walk down the street and around the block to a little bistro that has brunch on Saturdays.
We’ve been here nearly twice a month for the last two years.
It’s one of my few splurges, although the kids' menu is cheap and half the time Bray pays on his way back from the bathroom. I like to pretend I’m annoyed, but it is nice of him and I do truly appreciate it.
The waitress, whom we know, waves and motions to a free table.
Bray pulls out chairs for us, and we sit. He’s always such a gentleman. I met his family a few years ago and his dad does the same for his mother. I thought it was adorable. I remember sitting at the table while we ate, watching them and wondering what it would be like to be in love and old.
By the time my parents were older, my mom was already suffering from the early signs of dementia and then my dad got dementia. I don’t go to see them as much as I used to. I know I should, but it’s just too hard to see them like that. It takes me a day or two to recover from it after each visit.
Bray’s hand grabs my thigh under the table and I turn to look at him.
“Everything good?” he asks, his eyes search mine. I swear this man is a mind reader. He always knows when I’m upset or sad.
“Fine. Just thinking about my parents,” I admit.
He squeezes my thigh. “How are they?”
Shrugging, I look at the menu as if I will have something different than my usual order of waffles with strawberries and whipped cream and a side of bacon.
“They’re the same. Anne went out a week ago. No changes,” I say as I set the menu down.
“Mimosa, black coffee, and an orange juice?” the waitress asks as she walks by our table.
“Yes, please,” Bray says. He looks at me, and I know he wants to know if our order is the same. I nod. “And we’ll have our usual.”
“French toast with the works, waffles with strawberries and whipped cream, two sides of bacon, and a western omelet with hash browns?” she asks.
“Yep,” I answer, and she gives me a smile and a wink before heading toward the kitchen.
Ava is already busy coloring on the paper that covers the table. One of the many perks of this place. It’s kid-friendly.
“So, are you ready for our adventure?” Bray asks.
“I think so. Ava’s already packed,” I answer with a laugh.
Ava looks up at us. “I didn’t want to forget anything,” she protests.
Bray gives her a warm smile. “That was very smart of you, Peanut.”
She beams under the compliment and goes back to color rainbows and butterflies.
Bray’s hand finally leaves my thigh as the waitress sets our drinks down.
He takes a sip of coffee. I miss the feel of his hand on me.
It’s reassuring. Everything about this man is reassuring to me.
He’s been there through the thick of it with me, and because of that, I don’t have to pretend to be someone I’m not.
We start talking about all the things we’re excited to do.
Fletcher’s family has paid for everyone to have day trips and meals while we are there.
It sounds lavish, and I’m looking forward to a spa afternoon.
Vito’s grandmother has insisted on babysitting Ava at least once, so I can enjoy some alone time.
After Drew introduced them on a video chat when he started living with Vito, they became fast friends and now Ava requests chatting with Nona Lucia every couple of weeks.
It helps that Drew has been around recently, but he heads back over next week.
I miss him living here, but as he pointed out, Cam needs her bestie to help her with wedding preparations.
By the time we finish eating, I’m starting to finally get excited for our trip, except for the flight.
“I’m going to get you something for the flight to help you sleep,” Bray says, reading my mind again.
“Thank you,” I whisper. I don’t want Ava to know I’m afraid of flying. We took a vacation to Puerto Rico recently, and I was able to take a pill that Bray gave me and sleep. The flight breezed by, and I had no issues, so I’m hoping that will work again.
“Of course, for you anything,” he says, squeezing my thigh again before playing tic-tac-toe with Ava.
I wish anything involved more than a friendly brunch.
I swear I saw heat flash in his eyes when he saw me naked, but I was probably being delusional.
I haven’t had sex in so long that a man could glance at me, and I’d think he wanted a date.
My friends recently told me to go get laid.
Maybe they’re right. Maybe I should just join one of those dating apps.
I have to rip off the bandage eventually, even if it’s not with Bray.