She recalled his frigid stare and greeting, then the snippy comment. “You’re wrong. He still does.” It bothered her more than she cared to let on, and she had no idea why. They’d both moved on, and although she considered him “the one who got away,” she had no fantasies of them reuniting. Or even being friends.
Terri held up a hand and divided her gaze between Natasha and Dana. “Wait. What did I miss, and who is Antonio?”
“We dated in high school and broke up our first year of college. More specifically, I broke up with him because of my own insecurities.” She didn’t want to get into the details at the moment, even though all the negative comments from her so-called friends saying she could never hold on to a guy like him rose in her mind. Natasha pushed them aside. “This is supposed to be a celebration, so no more talk about Antonio. Hopefully, he’ll be gone in the next couple of days like always, and I won’t have to worry about running into him.”
“We are celebrating.” Terri held up her glass, and a smile curved her lips. “I’m just curious because your whole face changed at the mention of his name.”
She rolled her eyes. “My face didn’t do anything.”
Terri leaned close to Dana and whispered loudly, “What does he look like?”
Dana chuckled. “Fine, with a capitalF—tall, muscular build, and gray eyes that had every girl in school falling at his feet. It didn’t hurt that he was the school’s star basketball player whose scoring record still stands to this day,” she added with a mock toast.
Natasha couldn’t dispute one word of Dana’s description of Antonio. She’d had a hard time keeping her eyes off him earlier, despite the tension between them.
Terri fanned herself. “Well now.”
“Well now nothing. It’s been over for a long time. Can we talk about something else? Y’all are killing my celebratory mood.” She picked up a stray red pepper and popped it into her mouth.
“You’re right,” Dana said. “No more Antonio talk because I really want some of that peach cobbler.”
They all laughed and continued eating while catching up. After finishing the meal and letting the food settle, the women filled bowls with cobbler, topped them with ice cream, and carried the dessert to the family room.
Terri fell back against the sofa and let out a soft moan. “Okay, I know you said this was canned peaches and store-bought crust, but it’s so good. I’m definitely going to need this recipe.”
Dana chuckled. “I’m just coming over to get more. Y’all know baking isnotmy forte.” She worked as a mechanic in her father’s garage and was a classically trained pianist, offering private lessons on the side.
“Don’t count on this being a regular thing,” Natasha said with a smile.
“I won’t. And I know I said I wasn’t going to bring him up again, but do you have any idea how long Antonio will be in town this time? Last time he stayed about three weeks to help build that cottage for his grandmother at the back of his parents’ house.”
Glaring at her friend, she said, “No, I do not.” And she didn’t care.
CHAPTER 3
Idon’t know why you’re moving into one of Charles’s rentals when you can just stay here until you decide to purchase a house. It doesn’t make sense to waste money like that.”
Antonio sighed inwardly. From the moment he’d told his mother about his plans, she’d been on a rant. However, he hadn’t lived at home since leaving for college when he was eighteen, and he had no intention of going back. Staying over last night after he’d arrived in town had been enough. He picked up a bowl holding mashed potatoes and followed her to the dining room table. “I’m not wasting any money because he isn’t charging me.” Antonio smiled at his grandmother as she entered. She’d been asleep when he got in. “Hey, Grandma,” he said, bending to kiss her smooth brown cheek.
Nora Hayes hugged him with a strength that belied her petite stature. “Oh, baby, I’m so glad you’re home.” She held him away from her and studied him critically. “You look good.”
Chuckling, he pulled out her chair. “Thanks, and you’re as beautiful as ever.” A moment later, his father said the blessing, and then they all filled their plates. Along with the mashed potatoes, his mother had prepared fried pork chops, sautéed cabbage, and oven cornbread. The tantalizing smells made his stomach growl. It had been more than two years since he’d eaten his mother’s food, and he took ample portions of everything.
“You get settled in at the house?” his father asked.
“I still have some boxes to unpack, but I’ve taken care of the things I’ll need right away.” Antonio stuffed a forkful of potatoes into his mouth and stifled a groan. When he chewed into a tender chop, he did moan. “This is so good, Mom.”
“You never could resist those pork chops. Who knows, maybe you’ll find a nice young lady I can pass my recipe on to, and she can cook them for you,” she added sweetly, smiling his way.
He choked on the lemonade going down his throat. “Mom.”
“A few of the young ladies have been asking about you, especially Claudia Jennings.”
His grandmother snorted. “Darlene, you have got to be kidding me.” She waved a dismissive hand. “That girl changes men like it’s open enrollment. What is she on… her third or fourth marriage now?”
“Mama,” his father started, fighting a grin.
Antonio wasn’t so successful and laughed until he had tears. “Open enrollment, Grandma?”
