“Whatever the lady desires.” I wink, and she’s in another fit of laughter.
“Saved by the mimosa,” I say when the server swings by. Andi and I clink glasses and each take a sip, toasting to having fun, I guess.
“I’m going to see Delia next weekend with Gabby. James is going to London for ten days, and I think she could use the company and the break,” Andi explains over a basket of muffins.
We’re not rushing our meal. The time we spend together feels magical, fragile, as if it could break at any minute. One barfing kid, and it could all be over. Don’t I know it.
We continue ordering food, drinking and talking.
Thinking back to her sister, I wonder who keeps Andi company or gives her a break. Me?
“What if it snows?” I’m struck with some strange mix of anxiety and protectiveness at the idea of her driving to Ohio in the winter. Ohio. Two hours away.
“I don’t think it will. Either way, we’ll be fine. The drive is so flat.”
I feel unnecessarily anxious. They’re precious cargo.
“Oy, I see your mind churning,” Andi says, snapping me out of it. “I’ll be fine. Swear.”
“You said oy.” I laugh.
“Now you know I’m Jewish, for real.”
“Yes, I do.”
With one little joke, I’m back at ease, all my nerves set aside for more of good-time Andi.
“Maybe I’ll bring you back an apron,” she jokes, and then signals for the server.
When she asks for a coffee, I tell the server, “Milk instead of cream,” since I know how she takes it.
“Thank you,” she says, a blush creeping up her cheeks.
“No prob. Now, back to my apron, maybe we could get matching ones?”
This gets me a huge laugh, and Andi smacks my hand with hers. “You’re the cook, not me.”
We linger over coffee, and then the dreaded moment comes.
“I have to grab Gabby soon. Leona has book club later today. They’re reading some saucy book likeFifty Shades.” She chuckles.
I admit, I’m bummed, but her smile lessens the blow.
“No prob. Let’s roll.” I toss my credit card on the table and the server picks it up.
After we’re all settled up, we head to the car, my arm around Andi, her head leaning on my shoulder. In front of the passenger door, I get a little PDA crazy, pulling her tight and taking her lips with mine.
It’s not enough. It’s everything.
“That was fun,” I tell Reid, and I mean it. We met for my afternoon run, both of us bundled against the cold, my tights damp against my thighs. “Let’s do it again next week when I get back?”
I’m feeling bold. After all, he was the one who suggested a future ... could it be? With my lie between us like a boulder, I’m not sure.
He nods and leans in to kiss me. Our frozen lips defrost in a matter of seconds, and if I didn’t have to grab Gabby from the bus, I’d ask Reid in to help de-ice the rest of me. Alas, work calls. Both momming and blogging.
At the thought, my stomach sinks. I still haven’t told him. I plan to talk it over with Delia this weekend.
“Have a good time this weekend. Be safe, and text me when you get there.” He breaks away from the kiss.
