Chapter 11
Bella couldn’t believe how fast August blew by, and that it was now September.
Busy with work as always, she'd helped Angela get settled back at Smith College, and from there had flown to London to do the same for Madeline. She stayed a few extra days to see friends, do some shopping, as well as check on the townhome she and Jasper had owned - she’d be selling it and purchasing a flat for Madeline - and arrived back in the states just after Labor Day.
Bella Pelle was gearing up for what she hoped would be a busy holiday season, and Carrie and Jerome had held down the fort, which she appreciated.
They'd managed the weekly NASA video calls and kept Luis on track with the formula adjustments.
They were also knee deep in the planning of the spring launch that would be released in January.
NASA. Why did you have to think of NASA?
That only reminded her that she hadn’t heard from Jack since the night of the kiss.
Did I do something wrong? Did my breath smell?
Am I bad kisser? It’s been so long since I’ve kissed someone I probably forgot how to do it.
That’s it - I'm a bad kisser. She was due to travel to Houston the next Monday, as it was the time for her in person meeting that month. Maybe she’d get lucky and wouldn’t run into him - she wasn’t sure she could take the embarrassment. Okay, enough of THAT. Back to work.
Hey. Are you awake? She ignored it. Her phone pinged again a few minutes later.
Bella? You up?
Who is this? Bella wrote back.
It’s Jack.
Her heart skipped a beat.
How did you get my number?
I know a guy.
Bella laughed aloud, and wondered if that ‘guy’ was Big G.
Sure, I’m awake, give me a call if you like, she wrote back.
Two seconds later the phone rang, and this time she answered.
“Hi.” they said at the same time.
“How have you been?”
“Good, good - busy as always, and you?” Bella heard a bark in the background.
“Is that Daisy?” she asked.
“Yes, she’s on the bed here with me. Well, more like she allows me to be on my bed - she takes up the whole thing, I’ve got a little space allocated but that’s it.”
Bella laughed, “That’s Primrose. How can little dogs take up so much room?”
“I’m sorry I haven’t been in touch sooner.
The night ended on a note I hadn’t planned on; I wasn’t sure what to say, and then it just got so busy here, our schedule is solid between meetings, classes, and training.
We’ve been at it 10 hours a day, and I’m wiped by the time I get home, get dinner going for the girls, shower.
And then it’s rinse and repeat the next day, and the next.
We are in the critical timeframe, with some intensive sims. It’s not an excuse, but it’s the truth. ”
“You’ve got an important task coming up. It isn’t like you work a regular 9-5 job. But I appreciate the call and the sentiment all the same.”
“I understand you are here in town next week, but just for one day. Are you coming in the day before by any chance?” he asked.
“I’m not - I’m flying in that morning and back out in the afternoon. I took advantage of Jackie a lot last month, so I wanted to give her a break.”
“Oh, I see. I thought we might meet for dinner, but I’ve also got ulterior motives. I was hoping you could help me with something.”
“If I can help I'm happy to.” Her interest was piqued.
“It’s Sloane. Apparently a ‘boy’ has asked her to go to the Homecoming Dance at the end of the month, and she wants to go dress shopping.
You’re the most stylish woman I’ve ever seen, I thought maybe if you had some extra time while you were in town you could come with us.
I’m helpless when it comes to fashion. I mean, I can appreciate it when I see it but shopping for it?
A completely different matter. Is that asking too much? ”
Bella was both touched and shocked at the same time. He wants me to go shopping with him. With his daughter.
Trying to sound casual, Bella replied, “Sure, I can do that. I’ll fly in early Sunday morning, if that works for you.
I’ll ask my parents to keep Primmy at their place for one night.
Most shops don’t open till 11am on a Sunday, but that should be plenty of time.
Was there a store in particular Sloane might want to go to?
Or should we go to the mall, so we have plenty of options?
Do you think Sloane will be okay with me coming along? ”
“Thank you so much Bella, you are a lifesaver. I’m sure Sloane will be happy to have you there instead of her old dad. Well, I mean, I’ll be there with you, but still.”
“I’m looking forward to it. Just let me know what mall to meet you at and the time and I’ll be there.”
“We can pick you up at your hotel on the way to the mall, we aren’t too far from there. Bella?”
“Yes?”
“Put my number in your phone so you know it’s me calling next time. I can’t wait to see what shoes you bring with you.” he said as he hung up.
Ha! He DID notice the shoes.
Bella was in her office the next day when her phone rang. Picking it up she could see it was a FaceTime group call with Angela and Madeline.
“Hey, you two, what’s up?”
“Nothing, we just haven’t spoken in a few days, so we thought we’d check in” replied Madeline.
“How’s Primmy, does she miss me?” asked Angela.
“Of course she does, she loves you the best, you know that.”
“How’s the whole space thing going, any word yet on if they’ve approved it?” Madeline was dying to know.
“Not yet, but I’m headed back there in a few days - I’ve got a meeting on Monday, so I’m going up on Sunday night.”
“Wow, you sure do have to jump through a lot of hoops on this project, I hope it’s all worth it,” said Angela.
“So, how is school for you both?” Both girls assured Bella things were good, and nothing to worry about.
“Bella, are you ever going to date again?” asked Angela.
Aha. This was the point of the call. “Yeah Bella, when are you going to date, or at least think about it? I mean, you're a total snack,” Madeline interjected.
“I’m a what?”
“It means you're still hot, mom. You’re in your 'Hot Girl' era, and you’re wasting it on Netflix.” she replied.
"You have main character energy, but you're living like a side character. Let's get you on the apps.” added Angela.
“I’m fine but thank you. Actually, I think I may have had a date - I’m not sure - the whole thing is kind of weird and complicated” Bella replied.
Both girls started talking at the same time: “Spill.” “Give us the deets, you need to tell us.” “Who is he? Where did you meet?”
“We met at NASA, he works there.”
“Oh, is he a scientist?”
“Um, no, he’s an astronaut.”
The silence that followed made Bella laugh inside, Well, that shut them up!
“Okay, we need a name.”
“Why, so you can Google him?”
“Of course, now give up the name.”
“His name is Jack Calloway.”
“Hold please,” both girls said in unison. Bella could see them each furiously typing on their phones.
“Mom, that’s not an ‘astronaut’ - he’s like the commander of the mission. That’s huge,” said Angela.
“Bella always goes big or goes home. And he’s really cute, like totally adorable” weighed in Madeline.
“He is, Mom - from rock star to astronaut - at least you don’t have a type,” Angela said with a laugh.
“Don’t get ahead of yourself, I’m not even sure what we had could be called a date, and I don’t know if I want to date him. I don’t even know if he wants to date me!”
"You are mothering so hard right now, he’d be a certified fumbler to pass on a chance to date you,” said Angela.
"I’m the daughter of a baddie; I need you to start acting like one." laughed Madeline.
“I have zero idea what any of that means, but okay, I’ll consider it. He is kinda cute, isn’t he?”
After assuring the girls she’d update the moment anything happened, they exchanged I love yous and ended the call. Mothering. A snack. Hot Girl Era. Where did they come up with this stuff? But she smiled. I guess I still got it.
The next day at lunch was a repeat of last night’s conversation with the girls, only this time with Carrie.
“Have you been talking to Angela and Madeline? I feel like I’m being tag-teamed here!”
“Ha, no, I haven’t but they aren’t wrong. Bella, you’re a gorgeous woman inside and out. Some man would be lucky to have you in his life. I never met Jasper, but I'm sure you being alone isn't what he would have wanted for you."
"Well — there might have been a little something with someone, but I'm honestly not sure what to make of it."
“Wait, wut? You didn’t tell me you went on a date! Who with? When did you meet? Where did you meet? Do I know him?” Carrie asked.
Reaching for the basket of chips on the table, and helping herself to some salsa, Bella tried to sound casual, “No, it wasn’t a date.
And yes, you know him — it was Jack Calloway.
That night we all went out. He came back to the house for a nightcap, and we ended up kissing in the kitchen, but then it got weird.
I’m not sure if he’s ready to date, or what - he seems like he was devoted to his wife.
Which I totally get - I don’t even know if I’m ready!
So, I’m not sure. I mean, he seems really nice, and of course he’s not hard on the eyes at all.
But still. The whole thing feels complicated. ”
“OMG Bella - GET OUT! Why didn’t you tell me? I noticed he couldn’t take his eyes off you - wow. That’s big! How was it - was he a good kisser?
"Let's just say it didn't suck," Bella replied with a grin, before shoving a chip in her mouth.
“I knew it. Have you spoken to him since?”
“Yes, as a matter of fact he called me a few nights ago, wondering if I could help his oldest, Sloane, shop for a homecoming dance dress. I’m going up to Houston the day before my meeting so we can take her shopping. Does shopping with a man’s children qualify as a date?”
“Well, I don’t know if that’s a date, but it’s something. Go for it Bella, see what happens. At the very least it’s good practice if nothing ever happens.” Agreeing with Carrie, they turned their attention to work matters.
But what if I want something to happen? Bella thought to herself.