Chapter 18
1097 Words
The next two hours went by way too fast. I didn’t know what to say to him, but I did want to know how he found me.
Did I call him when I was drunk and tell him?
I turned on my phone and checked my calls and my text messages and no drunk dial or messages.
As soon as I was off work, I made my way up the stairs. As soon as I opened the door, I was hit with an amazing scent. I looked to find Luca cooking.
“What are you doing?”
“Sauce and meatballs are in the slow cooker. It will be ready for dinner but we will have to go grab lunch.”
“Luca, we aren’t playing house.”
“Not yet, but you still have to eat.”
I rolled my eyes at him. “Let me jump in the shower really fast and we have lunch at the local dinner.”
As soon as I was ready, we headed to the rental car Luca had driven from the airport.
“Did you get the most expensive car they had?”
He laughed and it sounded so sexy. “I like to travel in style.”
I needed to stay strong and not fall for his charm.
When we got to the diner, I made my way to the back of the dinner to find Bella sitting and coloring again.
I waved to her and she smiled so brightly that I swear it lightened the room.
I noticed she only had a glass of water on the table.
“Hi Marie.”
“Hi Emily.”
“What can I get for you guys today?”
“Would Bella like to join us for lunch?" I asked, watching her little head shoot up and look at me.
Without waiting for her Mom to respond, she jumped down and ran to our table and sat next to me.
“You don’t have to feel…”
I put my hand up. “I enjoy Bella and love having her company.
Luca was confused but I knew right now he would do anything I asked.
Bella was a nice distraction for me when it came to Luca.
I wasn’t sure if I was strong enough to tell him to leave. We ate and enjoyed Bella's conversation. For a little girl that just turned four, she was incredibly smart.
“Here is your bill. I will be finishing up my shift soon so just let me know if there is anything else I can get you.”
I looked at Bella and she nodded. “Could we add the country fried steak with mashed potatoes, a salad and sweet tea?”
“Sure.”
She returned with the meal and we paid the bill.
“Emily, please sit,” I said, getting out of the booth and sliding next to Luca.
She sat down and Bella pushed the plate of food towards her mom.
“We ordered the food for you.”
“You didn’t have to do that….but thank you.” She said as she took a big bite of mashed potatoes.
“Emily….how much do you like working here?”
“I’m 19 with a 4-year-old, I don’t have a lot of options.”
“What if I said I could get you a job at the bakery? 40 hours a week, benefits, and you would be making 40,000 a year to start. But it would be the afternoon shift.”
“I would love that but I don’t have a sitter for Bella. This is the only place that will let me have her.”
“How about you come to meet the owner? I told her all about you.”
“I don’t even have somebody to watch her for an interview.”
“I can watch her…..Bella, how about we get some donuts tomorrow and hot chocolate?” Luca said, surprising me.
“Yeah!” Bell squealed.
“If you choose to take the job, you and I will work opposite of you and Bella can stay with me till you get off work.”
“Why would you do that?”
“I like you, Emily, and honestly I adore Bella…..I had a lot of people that helped me when I first got to Texas. I don’t know where I would be right now if it had not been for their help.”
“What would happen if we had an over-lapping shift?”
“Susan will love Bella as much as I do and I am sure she will figure something out. If not, I know we can figure it out,” I said with a smile.
“ OK, what time tomorrow?”
“How about 9?”
“I’ll be there.”
When she was done, her and Bella left and I watched as Luca leaned back and smiled at me.
“What?”
“You are going to make an amazing mother.”
“We should get going.” I said as I stood and grabbed my jacket.
Once we were back at my apartment, I could feel my anxiety rising.
“Did you notice Bella’s clothes?” He asked me.
“What do you mean?”
“They were too small for her.”
“Her Mom is struggling to just feed her. I can’t imagine how hard it is to keep her in clothes.”
“I’m going to go shopping for her tomorrow.”
I felt my heart melt for him at that moment. No Marie be strong. You can’t let him back in. He cheated on you for months, which you knew of.
“That would be nice.”
“What time do you work tomorrow?”
“I work 5 to 1.”
“Let’s go after you get off work.” He said, making himself comfortable on my couch.
“Umm, where are you staying?”
He smiled up at me. “Here.”
“No you are not.”
“I’ll sleep on the couch…..unless you want me to join you in bed.”
I gave him my best, I will kill you look, I could.
Putting his hands up. “OK. OK, just the couch.”
“I don’t think this is a good idea.”
“But I don’t have anywhere else to go and I have to be here to have breakfast with Bella.”
I felt like he knew exactly what to say to get me to agree to him staying.
- Writer
