Chapter Eleven
I felt a tug on my foot the next morning, having barely registered Law leave when the sun had just come up. He had leaned down to give me a kiss, said I love you, and then left as quietly as he could. The tug came again and I rolled over to see Law’s mom standing at the end of the bed.
I squinted my eyes open, but she had registered my being awake with just the slight movement.
“Oh good, you’re up!” She came around to the side of the bed and shooed me over so she could sit beside me.
“What time is it?” I didn’t bother to roll over because Law didn’t have a clock by his bed and my phone was across the room charging. Law refused to keep any electronics by the bed because it was a distraction, which I totally got when the only distraction last night was Law’s hands roaming my body. He also said it forced him out of bed in the morning, rather than just turning over and hitting snooze.
I normally never had an issue waking up in the morning. My vice was trying not to take a nap in the middle of the afternoon. Dance usually helped with that, but on weekends I always stayed home and lounged on the couch, unless Leah dragged me out. Cary was now my Leah.
“Almost noon.” Cary smiled down at me. “Get ready and meet me downstairs. We can do lunch and then a little shopping.”
She didn’t wait for a reply as she patted my leg that was hidden under the comforter and made her way out of the room.
It didn’t take long for me to get ready, brush teeth with Law’s toothbrush because mine was in my suitcase and I still hadn’t even opened it, brush hair with what seemed like the world’s smallest comb, then grab the shorts I wore yesterday and a small button-up dress shirt I grabbed from Law’s closet. I looked put together when I checked myself in the mirror. I looked like I belonged here, like I hadn’t just picked up my whole life and gotten off the plane yesterday.
“Ready.” I called for Cary once I reached the bottom of the stairs. She was waiting by the front door with what seemed like bated breath. The excitement that shone on her was one I had never seen from my own mother except when she watched my first traditional ballet, back in middle school.
“You look lovely, darlin’.” She leaned into me, giving me a quick peck on my cheek, and ushered me out the door. I had only grabbed my wallet, phone, and the lone key Law had left on the nightstand this morning with a note that saidOurs.
Cary used her own key to lock up the house and ushered me over to where her SUV waited for us.
“I’m craving some good barbecue. Does that sound good to you?” Cary asked as she pulled out onto the dirt road that led to the main road.
“Never really had it, but I’m always up for something new.” I typically stuck with baked chicken, veggies, and the occasional baked goods and wine. Always wine.
“I know the best place. It’s one of Lawson’s favorites.”
I looked out the window and chuckled to myself again at someone so dear to Law in his life call him by his first name. My heart sped up thinking about yesterday and when Law said I love you. There was something about us that couldn’t keep us apart. We were both a special part in each other’s lives, in a way that it felt like no one stood a chance coming between us.
Cary pulled into a parking spot right up front and when we entered the building, it was great to see the Southern charm come to life. The hostess and waitress greeted her like an old friend.
“Cary!” One of the young girls threw her arms around Law’s mom and a pang hit my heart. I had no idea where it had come from and I just wanted it to go away. This girl knew Cary on an intimate level and I wanted so desperately to get there with her. If I could win over his mom, that would be even better for Law and me.
“Tracy, I want you to meet Anya.” Cary held out a hand to me and Tracy’s eyes fell upon me in shock that I had seen from everyone I had met so far in Alabama.
“The Anya?” she asked in a tiny voice, like she couldn’t believe I was here.
“I guess.” I shrugged my shoulder and then was wrapped in Tracy’s embrace.
“It’s so good to finally meet you! We’ve heard so much about you!” She took a step back and introduced the other girl. “This is Deanna, my sister.”
“These are my nieces, Anya.” Cary clarified for me and the pang I had felt before disappeared. Once it did, I realized finally what it was. Jealousy. I had never openly felt it before and didn’t want to again.
“Nice to meet you both.” I stayed where I was, shyness getting the best of me, and it also wasn’t a trait I was used to. This was why I normally stayed home or went out with friends, so I wouldn’t have to feel like this.
“Let me show you to your booth.” Tracy took us back and sat us along one of the windows, not placing any menus down. “What can I get you both to drink?”
She whipped out a pad, ready to write down our order.
“We’ll both have a sweet tea, no lemon, and an order of the pulled pork sandwich with baked beans, cornbread, and cole slaw,” Cary rattled off the order and Tracy went on her way to put it in. She came back quickly with the teas, which I grabbed immediately. It acted as a barrier to hide behind.
I took a sip from the glass and stared down into the sticky sweet brown drink. It wasn’t bad, just nothing like having tea from up north.
“So, Anya.”
Oh no. I took a deep breath and looked up from the cup.
