Patricia ignored all of them and slammed the door behind her as she left.
Donna and Evelyn crossed over and peeked out the front window.“She’s still using a driver. I wonder why she was in town today. She never said.”Donna sighed as they headed back to the kitchen.
“Well, that was…pleasant.”Olivia stood by Heather, mimosas in hand.
“What she meant to say was congratulations, Donna. I’m so happy for you.”Heather rolled her eyes.
Donna grabbed her drink and turned to Evelyn.“I don’t know what’s happened to you in the last few months, but that was impressive. Standing up to Mother like that.”
Evelyn’s smile was laced with confidence.“I thought so, too. I’m just tired of people trying to push me around. Or push you. Or anyone for that matter.”
“And she’s right, Grams. Weddings are more important than a moving date. The move can be…well, moved.”Emily slipped into her chair.
“I still feel a bit guilty for not moving my date. She’s so upset.”Donna knew her mother was being unreasonable, but still, years of giving into the woman’s demands was a habit that was hard to break.
Evelyn threaded her arm around her.“She’s upset because she didn’t get her way. It’s going to be fine. Mom will get over it.”
“You think she’ll even come to the wedding?”Donna wasn’t sure.
“Of course,”Evie insisted. But her voice didn’t sound very convincing.
Chapter 11
On Monday, Heather put on a simple white sundress with delicate yellow flowers on it for her date with Jesse. She had to admit that half her wardrobe seemed to be made up of yellow. Probably because it was her favorite color. It was cheerful, bright—hopeful even. Yellow even managed to find its way into much of her artwork.
She took one last look in the mirror. A touch of makeup and her hair pulled back in a French braid. She knew Jesse had always liked her hair down, but it was warm this evening and they were going to be sitting outside at Magic Cafe.
She’d never really dated Jesse. They’d just hung out as friends. Hung out a lot. And even though this kind of felt like a date, was it really? Did he think of this as just hanging out like they used to?
Too much thinking.
She grabbed a small clutch bag, threw her keys and cell phone in it, and went to wait for Jesse.
She paced back and forth in the living room. Twelve steps this way. Twelve steps back. This was silly. She might as well go downstairs and wait for him in the lobby. She could just as easily pace down there.
As she waited for the elevator, she stared at her reflection in the shiny doors, trying not to pace. The door slid open and Jesse stood there with a wide grin spreading across his face when he saw her. A grin that said he was truly happy to see her. The kind of grin she used to get from him all those years ago when they were kids. When their lives weren’t so complicated. And for a moment, she could almost imagine that they could go back to that.
“You look beautiful,”Jesse said, giving her an admiring look.
The warmth of a blush crept across her cheeks.“You clean up pretty nice yourself.”Actually, he looked incredibly handsome in slacks and a collared knit shirt stretched tight across his broad chest. He had that tanned face so common to the locals who worked outside, and his blue eyes sparkled. So nice to not see them steely blue and annoyed with her.
They headed back down to the lobby and got into Jesse’s car, a sensible silver sedan. But that would be Jesse. He was always sensible.
They drove across the bridge over Moonbeam Bay, then headed to Belle Island. The scenery of the familiar route slipped by as they rode in silence. An easy silence, though, so that was okay.
He pulled into the crushed shell parking lot, jumped out, and came around to open her door. She slid out and bumped into him slightly from the shifting shells beneath her shoes.
“Careful.”He steadied her.
They headed into Magic Cafe, his hand on her elbow. She wasn’t sure if that was to help her steady herself on the uneven surface or if he was afraid she’d change her mind and turn and run away.
“Well, look who’s here.”Tally, who owned Magic Cafe, gave them both a hug.“Haven’t seen you two in a month of Sundays.”
“It has been a while.”Heather smiled at Tally’s warm greeting.
“I see your work in quite a few of the shops here, Heather. And Jesse, I must get over and take a cruise on The Destiny. I hear great things about it.”
“Any time. I’d love to have you,”he said.
