Chapter Sixteen #2
“We have a reservation for Allie Tatum at six,” I say.
“Right this way.” The hostess picks up the menus and walks us to a half-round booth. Maisie hops in first, sliding to the center, putting me and Kara on each side of her. She places the menus in front of us. “Your server will be with you shortly.”
“I forgot how lovely this place is.” I smile at the girls. “Want to get an appetizer?”
“Mozzarella sticks?” Kara asks.
“With ranch please,” Maisie adds.
When the server stops by, we place our drink and appetizer order. It doesn’t take long to get our drinks. I look over the menu, unsure of what I want. It’s been a while since I’ve been here.
As I look up to ask the girls what they’re getting for their entrée, I see a familiar face walking through the door.
Sam is stunningly beautiful, wearing her hair long and straight.
A green cardigan coupled with a white undershirt stops at her elbows.
Her ankle-length jeans fit perfectly above the brown open-toed wedges. She’s certainly eye-catching.
I haven’t seen or spoken to her in over a week.
I lift my hand to wave when she turns to smile at another familiar face walking behind her.
Ginger. Ginger is with Sam. I watch unnoticed as they are led to a small table in the front corner.
Ginger pulls the chair out for Sam, and my stomach churns in disgust. Wow!
That’s about the extent of my shock. This sweet tea I’m drinking isn’t strong enough for what I’m seeing right now.
“Mozzarella sticks with ranch and marinara sauce,” the server says, placing the food in the middle of the table and handing us each a plate. “Would you like to order now, or should I come back?”
“Do you girls know what you want?” I ask, glancing between them.
“Chicken fingers and fries.” Maisie happily puts in her request as she reaches for a mozzarella stick. The world at her age is very different. She lives in the moment.
“Same,” Kara adds. “With ketchup and honey mustard, please.”
“Yes, ketchup, please.” Maisie takes a bite.
“Please make their chicken grilled and add a side of fruit for their plates.” I glance down at the menu, having no idea what I want. “I’ll take the…” My appetite has vanished. “The farmhouse salad with vinaigrette dressing.”
As the server walks away, I glance across the room to see Ginger staring at me.
She waves, then proceeds to stand. She says something to Sam before heading this way.
I look away right as Sam notices me. I don’t want to look at her, and I definitely don’t care to talk to Ginger. But here she is now, nonetheless.
“Allie,” Ginger says, standing in front of me. “Hi.” She reaches down to give me a half hug. Oh, yay. Eye roll.
I gesture toward the girls. “These beautiful girls are my nieces Kara and Maisie.”
“Hello, girls.” Ginger smiles their way. “Lorrie couldn’t stop talking about how cute the little one was when she showed you the house. Thank you, by the way, for being so kind to her. To us all…”
“Lorrie’s a pleasure to work with. Steven and I are signing the papers this week.”
“I can’t stay long.” Ginger leans forward and covers the side of her mouth to whisper, “I’m on a date.”
“Oh,” I exaggerate, forcing a smile. “Enjoy.”
“Bye, girls. Have a great night.” Ginger waves at them as she walks back to her seat.
“That’s Sam!” Maisie says a little too loudly as she spots her ahead. Kara turns to see for herself. Sam waves toward our table. I let the girls acknowledge her while I busy myself with eating a cheese stick. I don’t really want it, but at least it spares me the interaction.
Sam hasn’t spoken to me for a whole week. Now she’s on a date with another woman. She doesn’t get my attention anymore. Not in that way.
“Can we go say hi?” Kara asks, inching to the edge of her seat.
“No.” I shake my head. “She’s having dinner. You can talk to her some other time.”
“Whatever.” Kara moves back but takes another peek at Sam. I have no clue if she notices.
“I’ll be right back.” I slide out of the booth to go to the bar. I order four brownie desserts with ice cream to be delivered after dinner. I want it to be a surprise for the girls.
As I turn to leave, Sam stops in front of me. “Hey,” she says hesitatingly as if unsure of herself. I hope she’s as uncomfortable as I am.
“Hey.” I try to seem emotionless as I move around her to leave.
“Can we talk?” She grabs my hand, stopping my progress.
I pull out of her grip. “I have to get back to the girls. Enjoy your dinner.” I walk away quickly, not wanting to spend another second with her.
Our dinner arrives soon after I get back to the table. Sam walks up to us shortly after. I assume she went to the restroom.
“You girls look beautiful.” Sam looks from Kara to Maisie before briefly meeting my eyes. I refuse to let her make me feel anything with that comment.
“Is Olivia with her dad?” Kara asks. “I’ve texted her, but she hasn’t answered me.”
“Yes, honey. She’ll be back tomorrow. He told her it was a no-phone weekend.”
“We don’t want to keep you.” I motion toward her table. “Ginger’s looking for you.” Sam’s brow rises as she turns to see for herself. I’m sure she’s shocked that I know who she’s with.
“Have a good dinner.” She walks away, presumably taking my hint.
We finish the rest of our dinner in no time, and then as soon as the plates clear, the server brings out the four brownie slices with ice cream. I slide one of the desserts between us three.
“This one’s for Annie.” I look at the girls.
It was her favorite dessert here. I pull out a lighter and a candle, place it in the brownie, then light it.
“Let’s close our eyes and each make a wish.
” Maisie does, but Kara sits there staring.
“Please, Kara,” I beg. She gives in and closes her eyes, but her scowl remains.
I close my eyes for a moment as well. “Okay, let’s blow the candle in three, two, one. ” We all blow at the same time.
I feel Sam’s eyes on us. When I look over, she doesn’t look away. I push the desserts in front of the girls. “I hope you wished for something wonderful.”
Maisie dips her spoon into her ice cream and takes a small bite. “I wished for one more hug from Mommy and Daddy.”
“That’s a great wish, my sweet girl.” I look at Kara, but she keeps herself occupied with taking small bites of brownie and ice cream. It’s like she doesn’t want to eat it, but it’s too irresistible to pass up. I know firsthand this is her favorite dessert as well.
The weight of the day settles heavy in my stomach. First, the Memorial Park, then our birthday dinner and now Sam is on a date with my ex. Dessert won’t take that sting away.
“Are you going to eat your ice cream?” Maisie eyes my plate.
“You know,” I say, resting my elbow on the table and propping my chin on my hand. “I’m just so full right now. Do you want it?”
She nods her head vigorously in excitement. “Yes, please!”
I slide the whole thing over to her. “Do you want the other one, Kara?”
“No, thanks.” She doesn’t look up.
When the server passes by, I ask for the check. I keep my gaze averted from the front of the room to preserve my already damaged heart. I’m not sure if that’ll do it—my mind is running wild with thoughts of them together. How did they meet? Is this their first date? Have they kissed, or even worse?
I wonder if Steven knows, and if so, why didn’t he tell me. It’s only been a week. A heads-up would have been appreciated. It didn’t take Sam long to snag another woman. Seems like I was a notch in her belt on this new journey of hers.
The girls finish eating, and I pay the check.
Now comes the dreaded part—walking past Sam and Ginger.
I was hoping they’d eat quickly and then leave before us.
A woman can hope, can’t she? Instead, we have to make the trek toward them.
When we get close, Maisie runs up to Sam to give her a hug.
Kara does the same. I have no choice but to walk over now.
I can’t hang back and look like she got the best of me. I stop nearby, but not too close.
“Did you enjoy your dinner?” Sam asks the girls.
“We did,” Kara answers as she steps back from her hug.
“It’s Mommy’s birthday,” Maisie adds. “We went to see her and Daddy’s trees, and I wrote her a letter, took her flowers, and then we all wished her a happy birthday.”
“That’s so nice, honey.” Sam glances at me. “I know she would have loved that.”
Ginger looks at Sam, then me. “I didn’t know you two knew each other until Sam filled me in.”
“Small world, huh?” I take Maisie by the shoulders, backing her up against me.
She looks up at me as I look down on her.
“We should get going and let them finish their dinner.” I stick my tongue out at her playfully.
She giggles. “Hope it’s a great night for you two,” I say to Ginger and Sam.
I give the best fake smile that I believe I’ve ever given in my life.
I pretend that everything is okay, and that I don’t give two shits about them, though my insides are twisted in knots.
The girls walk ahead of me and out the door. I busy my eyes anywhere but on them as we pass by. Who would have thought that this would happen? Can the universe be any crueler? I surely hope not.