Secrets We Keep

Secret's We Keep: Chapter Three

The night with the Matthews was lovely and I woke up to my Dad making breakfast in my kitchen.

“Hey.” I asked, immediately releasing a huge yawn before continuing. “When did you get here?”

“Your mother had me on a grocery run.” He said, flipping the pancakes onto a plate. “Figured it wouldn’t hurt to stop by and check on you.”

“Where is she?”

“Tennis with her friends.” He replied.

“I swear Dad, your roles are reversed.” I said, immediately digging onto the breakfast my Dad had made.

He smiled as he sat across from me on the kitchen island. “Well, I just let her be. You know what they say: happy wife, happy life.”

“You’re perfect.” I gushed, “And these are as well.”

“So how’s Jonah?” Dad pried. Ever since Jonah got back, they haven't seen each other that much due to conflicting schedules, but Angie had invited them over to dinner tomorrow which I have yet to relay to him.

I took a huge bite before speaking. “Good. We had dinner last night in Ashport. I met his parents, Patrick, and Sarah, Patrick’s girlfriend.”

Dad raised an eyebrow at me. “Patrick? Patrick from summer camp?”

I nodded. “Same one.”

“Huh.” He replied pensively. “Don’t you have a huge--”

“Nope!” I cut him off. “I didn’t. I don’t. Also it was a long time ago hence it’s not to be mentioned ever again especially in front of Jonah and his family who we’re going to have dinner with tomorrow night at their house.”

“That’s a lot of prepositions, sweetie.” He replied, shaking his head a little before putting on his grey plaid shirt over his shirt and his baseball cap with the same color. “Anyway, I will be informing your mother about this so-called dinner where I’m not going to mention that thing I’m not supposed to mention and where I’ll behave myself accordingly. I can’t say the same for your mother though. You know how she is.”

“Hm...unfortunately I do. I do know how she is.” I sighed. “Careful on your way home. I love you. And please tell mom that too.”

Soon as dad left, Jonah came with a bouquet of red roses wrapped in pink paper. I cringed at the color combination but knowing him, I was certain he must’ve chosen the pairing on his own—which was extremely sweet.

“You just missed my dad.” I told him as I put the flowers into a vase that’s been holding the last bouquet he got me three days before.

“Nope, I didn’t.” He said, following me into the kitchen. “I ran into him in the elevator. You’ve already told him about the dinner so I take it they’re coming?”

“Of course, they are!” I replied. “They’re very excited to come.”

“That’s not the vibe I got from your dad.” He said as he sat down on one of the island counter stools. I sensed a little anxiety in his voice.

“Why?” I asked, sitting next to him. “What makes you say that?”

He took both my hands, smelled them gently before planting a soft peck on the back, and then put his cheeks against them, looking up to me and smiling—a gesture I found so adorable.

“I don’t know…” He muttered. “Maybe because of my history with Nicole. I know he’s bestfriends with her dad.”

I sat on his lap. “Come on, nobody thinks about that anymore. That’s so forever ago. And besides, you ended on good terms right? That shouldn’t be a problem.”

“Right.” He replied, a little bothered. I studied his expression for a while before he shook it off and grinned. “You ready to go?”

I looked down at my body in confusion. “You want me to go to work in my pajamas?”

He chuckled before turning me around and pushing me towards the direction of the bathroom.

Capadon was the name of my store—a little bakery at the heart of town next to an old family owned bookstore. In fact, everything in this town was family owned and had been passed down from generations to generations. My store used to be a shoe repair boutique called ‘Shoes got the moves?’ until they went out of business after the owner died and there was no next of kin to claim it… so the bank did.

My store was white and wooden all around. There was very little color differential and even then only black or little pastel colors were allowed. I wanted it to be simple and neat.

“When you got this place, did you ever think that after people went to the bookstore next door, they'd come straight here to read it?” Jonah asked, as he sat down across from me, ruining the paperwork I had on the table.

I chuckled. “Why else did you think I got this place?”

He laughed. “It’s perfect. Of course, apart from the amazing menu my girlfriend has established.”

“Man, you’re really raking up those brownie points huh?” I said teasingly.

“Hey, what could I say?” He replied, raising his hands in the air in defense. “I’m a proud boyfriend.”

I smiled, shaking my head slightly before turning back to my spreadsheets. “I’m sorry about this. Niel was supposed to do this but he got sick and I need to submit this as soon as possible or there’d be penalties.”

The chime on the door clanged and I looked up to see Jack going towards our direction.

“Hey guys.” Jack greeted us as soon as he got to our table. “What are you up to? Planning to make babies?”

I rolled my eyes at him to hide the blush he just caused. “You’re stupid, you know that?”

Jonah laughed and patted him on the back.

“Now and then, I’m aware.” Jack replied before turning to Jonah. “You ready to go?”

I frowned. “Where are you guys going?”

“Down to the pier.” Jack answered. “A couple of boys just got back from uni and they’ve been wanting to see this young man right here.”

Jonah stood up and gave me a quick peck on the cheek. “I’ll be back before you even know it.”

“Alright.” I said. “See ya!”

“Don’t worry, Cay.” Jack started as they walked towards the door. “I’ll make sure Jonah keeps his hands and eyes to himself!”

I scoffed and let out a small chuckle as I saw Jonah drag him out of the store and towards the direction of the pier.

Jack was being stupid again although I can’t help but wonder what they did whenever they were together and I wasn’t with them. Jack was basically Jonah’s wingman back then when he’d visit town and if there was someone who knew Jonah’s shenanigans and ways, it was Jack. And how he’d told me stories about Jonah before, I couldn’t put my mind to ease.

Just then, my phone lit up. I checked to see the notification and found it was a text message from Jonah.

Don’t worry. I only have my eyes for you. I love you. See you later. - Jonah

A swarm of butterflies went awol inside my stomach, bringing a huge smile to my face. Indeed, I have come a long way. It never occurred to me that I would actually come from despising him to loving him. It felt like karma—like this was the universe telling this is what I get from hating on him even though I never really had the reason to. I only knew what others thought of him and yet here I was smiling from a text message I had gotten from him.

Lunch had passed. I was doing a batch of focaccia when Howell, my cashier, called me from the kitchen. I set the dough to rise before washing my hands and checking to see why.

“Cayla!” Sarah called from over the counter, behind him was Patrick. “Over here!”