11. Chapter Eleven
Chapter Eleven
Licia
As much as I hated to admit it, I had really enjoyed Kevin’s company. It felt reckless, but the small talks we shared over dinner, the jokes and jibes, left me longing for more. I wanted more, but I knew I had to be cautious. Once bitten, twice shy.
I found myself smiling dreamily at the thought of him as I went about my morning jog. Could it be that I was falling for him all over again? Nah, that was too soon.
“Licia, don’t let your guard down. It took you years to rid your heart of him. There's no wisdom in making the same mistake a second time ,” I thought out loud, waving at the old lady who had just moved into the house next to mine.
I needed to confide in someone before making a decision I might regret. I was torn between calling Joey or visiting her—we were each other’s confidants.
We hadn't seen each other in over a week due to our busy schedules, but I was about to change that. I needed my best friend. There was a lot I wanted to tell Joey, so I called her up.
“Hey, Joey. Where are you right now?” I asked, skipping the pleasantries.
“I'm trying to finalize the sale of that property on Dunes Avenue,” she explained eagerly. She had mentioned the property before and how clients were outbidding each other for it. I was glad she finally landed a buyer. She was an excellent realtor, and very persuasive.
“That’s great, girl. You owe me a treat,” I replied, excitedly.“Most definitely. Do you want to meet up?” she asked sweetly. We were thinking in the same direction.
“Whoa… if I didn’t know you so well, I’d think you had psychic abilities.”
She laughed out loud. “How so?”
“You just read my mind. We can grab a cup of coffee when you're done with your client. We need to catch up, unless you get caught up with something else.”
I had time to spare, but I wasn’t sure if Joey would be free until later. I didn't want to make assumptions that would dash my hopes.
“Sweetheart, don't worry about that. You'll have me all to yourself after I’m done here,” she assured me. “Happy now?”
“I never said I was sad,” I retorted playfully. Joey always brought a happy energy that transferred to me whenever we talked. She was my elegant bundle of joy.
“Believe whatever you want, Licia,” she giggled. “Where are we meeting?”
“Enzo’s place by noon. He makes the best latte.”
“I know. Don’t forget I'm a regular there. See you by noon. Let me finish up here. You know how these rich clients can be,” she said with a snigger, trying to keep her voice low.
“Sure, do your thing. Love you!”
“Ciao, Licia. Love you, too.”
***
It was barely noon, but Enzo’s place was already teeming with happy customers enjoying their orders and the cool music filling the room with a homely aura.
I found an empty spot near the window and quickly secured it. There was no way to guarantee its vacancy if I spent more time appraising the classy, stylish tweaks Enzo had made to the café.
Joey arrived about ten minutes later. She parked her car opposite the café, shielding it from the sun.
“I see you still double-checked your car lock,” I pointed out, standing to hug her.
She smiled, kissing both my cheeks. “Of course I do. It’s like an OCD now. Even when I know it’s locked, my subconscious compels me to check again.”
Joey’s car was hijacked a year ago by unidentified miscreants. She had assumed it was locked after parking at a restaurant for lunch, only to find it gone minutes later. She was now very particular about ensuring it was properly locked.
“I can only imagine. Anyway, I’m happy you made it in time.”
“There’s no way I’d stand you up.” She was beaming with unabashed happiness.
“Bills are on you, right?” I asked once we sat down.
Joey shrugged. “That wouldn’t be a problem. Just like you’d split your inheritance in two equal halves—one for you, one for me,” she said chirpily, like an exuberant school girl.
“You must be delusional,” I cackled.
Joey didn't try to rebuff or argue. She just pressed the table bell, waiting for someone to take our orders.
“Buona Giornata, ladies,” Enzo greeted charmingly. He had lived in the States for years, but his Italian accent remained pure. “How are you doing?”
“We're good, my darling Lorenzo,” Joey cutely tried pronouncing Enzo’s full name with an accent, making him smile. He loved that she was intentional about making an attempt.
I believed he liked Joey more than he let on, but Joey always said they only had a good customer relationship.
“What would you ladies like?” he inquired, his voice smooth and calming. He always wore a cheerful smile that made his gray eyes sparkle.
Lorenzo had an undeniable appeal, thanks to his Italian roots and gorgeous features . It explained his ever-booming female clientele. He was the ladies' man.
“I’d like a cup of cappuccino with some of those sumptuous cookies,” I responded with a smile, waiting for Joey to place her order.
“I'll go with the usual, Enzo.”
“Latte?” he replied.
Joey flashed him a cute smile. “Just the way I like it.”
Joey was only matching Lorenzo's energy, but he was completely taken by her. His eyes never left hers while he stood by our table, as if reading her order from her eyes.
“Aiit, al momento.” He excused himself to get our orders.
“Licia, I’ve been meaning to ask,” Joey said, pulling her seat closer to the table. “What’s your plan with all the inheritance money at your disposal?”
I smiled, shaking my head slowly. “Do you have investment plans for me?” I already had an idea where she was headed, so I made it easier by asking upfront.
Her eyes lit up animatedly. “Yeah, I do.”
“I thought as much,” I chuckled.
Enzo arrived with our beverages and cookies on a tray, nipping our conversation in the bud. He gently placed the cappuccino before me.
“Thanks, Enzo,” I said, eager to taste it.
He nodded in acknowledgment. Then, dropping Joey’s latte, he commented with a wink, “Per te, amore mio.”
“Aww, this is so sweet of you.” Joey blushed, admiring the design on her latte. Enzo had taken the extra effort to design a heart on it. It looked really pretty. How else could I explain to Joey that Enzo was subtly communicating his feelings?
Here I was, trying to play detective in Joey's love life, while I was trapped in a dilemma with no clue what to do. How ironic.
“You’re welcome. Just let me know if you need anything else. I’ll be at my station,” Enzo said before turning to leave.
“Most definitely.”
Enzo’s exit was my cue to update Joey on what had been eating me up.
“Kevin kissed me,” I blurted, taking a sip of the cappuccino to avoid meeting her gaze.
Joey's eyes grew wide with shock. I couldn’t decipher whether it was pleasant or horrified. She then burst into laughter, her entire body vibrating.
“What’s so funny?” I asked, perplexed by her reaction.
“Forgive me for that display of incivility, but my dear…” Before she could finish, she started laughing again, struggling to breathe.
“Joey?” She was confusing me more. Why did she find the fact that Kevin kissed me funny?
She cleared her throat, appearing serious. “Fine, no more crazy outbursts.” She raised her hands in surrender. “Come to think of it, I thought you couldn’t stand the sight of Kevin. How come you guys were eating away at each other’s lips?”
“I didn’t say it was a make-out session. I said he kissed me… He did. Don’t get it twisted.” If she needed me to spell it out, then I would.
Joey drank from her latte, slowly licking up the foam on her lips. She was a cute pain in the rear.
“Quick one though, did you push him away when he allegedly ‘kissed you'?” she interrogated, making air quotes with her fingers.
I realized what she was trying to do. “Wait, do you think I'm sieving out the details?” Was Joey trying to insinuate something?
“You haven't answered the question, Licia,” she insisted. “Did you push him away?”
“I didn’t push him away, but I didn’t kiss him back either,” I defended, which only made Joey give me a knowing smile.
“So you liked it?” she theorized, relaxing in her seat.
“That’s not the point.” I dismissed her dissection. Why was she trying to nail me to the coffin?
“It’s all over your face. You really did like it.”
There was nowhere to hide. “Okay, I didn’t hate it, but I resigned from being his nurse.”
The look Joey gave me made me feel like she thought I was going crazy.
“Wait, was this before or after the kiss?” Joey asked, moving her finger to the right, then to the left.
“After,” I responded, looking down at my cup. It felt like I was defending myself before a college panel.
“Oh, okay. I think I get it.
He kissed you, you liked it. You resigned because you felt something you dread. So, what's the issue now?”
That was some good analysis right there.
“He came by the house. We talked, and he wants another chance with me.”
“And?”
“I don't know what to do, Joey. I feel like the flames are being rekindled, and it scares me. I don't like how vulnerable I feel around him.” I let out a deep sigh.
Joey reached across the table and squeezed my hands gently. “I get your fears, babes. It would be strange if they weren't there, given your history with him. You can't control what your heart feels, but time will tell his true intentions. Then you can decide whether it's worth it or not.”
My raging thoughts were finally calming down. I processed what Joey said. Time would really tell.
“I want Kevin and I to stay just friends. That’s fair and safe for me.”
“It’s your choice to make. No obligations, no expectations.”
“Exactly. Thanks, Joey, for helping me crack the puzzle.”
“What would you do without me?” There she goes again.
“A lot, actually.”
We laughed happily. Indeed, a problem shared is already half solved.