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Julia reaches up and pats my cheek, then quickly snatches a piece of apple from my plate, making Shari laugh. “She’s quick.”
“Yes, she is,” I say as the baby happily gnaws on the apple, still babbling.
“Did you come alone?” Shari asks. I feel my cheeks heat. Dang it, if I look suspicious, it will seem I have something to hide.
“No, I came with...” I pause. What in the heck do I call Blaze? “I came with an old friend,” I finally say.
“From that look on your face, it seems like maybe more than a friend,” Shari says with a giggle.
“Well, we were a couple ten years ago, then we parted ways, and we just met again, and I don’t know,” I admit. It sort of feels good to say this. I won’t see this woman again after this weekend so I shouldn’t be so self-conscious about it. I’m so damn confused about what I’m feeling.
“Ah, rekindled romance. Those can either be the best or a total nightmare. Sometimes our fantasies don’t come close to reality. I dated an old flame once before I met my husband. It was good for me, because that man had been the love of my life when I was sixteen. I compared everyone to him, and they all failed on an epic level. When I got with him again seven yearslater, it was terrible. He wasn’t like anything I remembered. I knew within a couple of days it was a mistake, but I held on for an entire month, thinking maybe I was wrong. I wasn’t. When I left, I let go of the past, so I don’t regret it at all. That opened my heart to be able to meet my husband, who I adore.”
I give Shari a big smile. “You’re brilliant. I didn’t think of it like that. I’ve been fantasizing about this man for ten years and no one’s come even sort of close to affecting me as much as he did. But I was eighteen years old then, barely a woman. I’m sure reality won’t hold a candle to the fantasy of him. I’d kiss you right now if that wasn’t weird,” I say with a laugh.
She laughs with me. “Who’s the man?” She looks around.
“He’s out with his brother right now. His name is Blaze,” I tell her. If she works here, I’m sure she knows him. Maybe it isn’t a great idea to talk about him.
“Blaze Brannigan?” she gasps.
“I shouldn’t have said anything. I’m sure you know him,” I say, shifting in my seat.
“No, you’re fine. I love the Brannigans, but that doesn’t mean I think they’re perfect. I do have some empathy for you, though, because Blaze is a heartbreaker. Women have been chasing him for as long as I’ve known this family. Was he great when you were with him ten year ago?”
In for a penny, in for a pound, I guess. “He was wonderful. I graduated from high school and met him on the beach. We spent the whole summer together, then he was gone. It broke my heart then, but I’m a different person now.”
“He spent a whole summer with you?” She gasps.
I’m confused now. “Yes.”
“I’ve known this family for about ten years and one thing that’s said about Blaze is he doesn’t spend more than a few days withanywoman. He’s a love ’em and leave ’em type of guy. You might’ve gotten to him more than he got to you.”
“No, we were young,” I tell her. I’m not sure if I’m trying to convince her or myself.
“Young or not, that boy doesn’t ever stick around long. I hope you’re the one to bring him to his knees,” she says with an evil delight I can relate to.
I laugh again, feeling lighter after this conversation. “I think it’s going to burn out. Just like you said, the reality won’t hold up to the fantasy I’ve constructed for so many years.”
“We’ll see.”
I don’t like the gleam in her eyes. It feels good to unload some of this, but at the same time, she does work for the Brannigans and I might be biting off more than I can chew. I don’t know which way is up anymore, let alone all of the different directions I can take. I do know I’m here, and as confused as I am, I’m not in a hurry to leave.
“Please don’t say anything,” I whisper as the doors open and Blaze and his brother walk toward us.
“I promise I won’t, but dang girl, that man is looking at you like he wants to have you for dinner,” Shari says with another giggle. I instantly tense.
“The food looks great, Shari,” Blaze says as he quickly walks forward then leans in and kisses her on the cheek.
“Of course it’s good,” she tells him. “Don’t you let my hubby see you pawing on me.” She pats his arm in a playful way that tells me they’re friends. I’m silent as tension brews between Blaze and me. Why can’t this be easier? The baby begins to fuss, and I hand her back to her mother. Things go quiet for a moment, making me more uncomfortable.
“Are you ready for some fun adventures?” Blaze asks.
“Yes, what are the plans?”
“We have a full day planned,” he tells me. “But first I’m going to scarf down some food.” He and his brother walk away from the table and grab plates that they immediately load up.
“Oh girl, I don’t see anything fizzing,” Shari says.
