“Is Mom with you? I didn’t even ask when you got here, sorry.” I pushed off the stool, realizing I hadn’t done a walk through in a bit to see what was going on.
“No, I came alone. I needed to speak to you and couldn’t take it anymore, so I woke up and drove three hours, no big deal.” His lips twitched as he rose to stand. “Go do what you have to do. I can man your post until you’re done. Dominic!” He called out to where Dom was speaking to one of the busboys. “I’m filling in for Joey for a bit. What does he do?”
“A lot of whining.” Dominic chuckled as he came closer. “Usually, at this time of morning, he walks around, makes sure people are happy, I’m more grunt work.” Dominic slapped my arm before he ventured out to the patio.
“Thanks, Dad. And I’m sorry—”
“Don’t be. All is good now.” He squeezed my shoulder.
“When I get back, maybe we can talk about those investments you were suggesting? I’m doing more in the off-season to keep the place alive, but a more reliable stream of income would be a big help.”
He nodded, all the tension between us now gone. I felt the relief from both of us in his easy smile. “Sure, we can do that.” He patted my cheek. “Go. Grand gestures take time and a little thought. I got this.”
“I’m sure you do.” I grinned and made my way back to my office. After digging through my desk drawer for the drive I hoped I had left, I settled into my desk chair and plugged it into my computer. This wouldn’t take long because I knew exactly what to upload and what I wanted to say.
I only prayed she was still willing to hear it.
40
Caterina
“I didn’t expectyou here so late.” My mother regarded me with a furrowed brow after I unlocked her door and stepped inside the apartment I’d grown up in.
“I wasn’t doing anything at home, so I figured I’d come by.” And I couldn’t take being alone one more second.
Mom motioned to the kitchen table for me to sit. “I’ll heat up some macaroni. What’s wrong?”
I sank my teeth into my bottom lip and shrugged, not wanting to answer as my mother grabbed a wooden spoon and turned on the burner. Her apartment hadn’t changed much since I’d moved out. In fact, my room was more or less the same, just overloaded with storage. This apartment was the one constant in my life, and although I didn’t live here anymore, it was home.
“Joe can’t come to Ashley’s party, and we got into an argument, I guess.” I didn’t know what to call it. The more I reflected back on my last conversation with Joe, it seemed more like an adult tantrum on my part than an argument.
Mom didn’t reply or turn around. Like Joe, I was my parent’s twin. I had a few inches of height on my mother, but we shared the same big dark eyes and chestnut hair. I prided myself on being her mini-me as a little girl, always wanting to be just like her, and doing everything I could to make her happy, even when she wasn’t the most reasonable.
When I came home from Ocean Cove and confessed where I was after the girls came home, I braced myself for how my mother would react, but all I’d gotten was a nod. No “what was I thinking staying with a guy I hardly knew?” or alluding to what I was doing with him during those extra days. She only asked his name and what he did for a living. I was relieved if a bit unnerved.
“I guess we aren’t exactly on great terms.”
Mom set the bowl on the table. I picked off a rigatoni at the top with my fingers like I’d always done as a kid before anyone was looking. A big plate of my mother’s macaroni always soothed me, but when I swallowed, the ache in my stomach didn’t ease. My insides were too sad and raw to absorb any kind of comfort.
“What happened?” She handed me a plate and fork before digging a big spoon into the bowl.
“I told him maybe we should have left what we had at the beach.” I blew out a long breath before rising from my seat to get something to drink. “Maybe it’s for the best. This isn’t fair to either of us.” I reached into the fridge and pulled out a bottle of water, letting out a slow breath as I leaned against the sink.
“Really? You don’t look like you believe it’s for the best. Sit down, Cat.”
I came back to the table and plopped back into my seat.
“So, you panicked.” She crossed her arms and drew back in her chair. “Is that right?”
“Youwantme with Joe?” I coughed out a laugh. “You want me traveling back and forth all the time, three hours from home to see a man who can never move from where he is?”
“If that’s what makes you happy, yes. I wouldn’t be thrilled about you in the car all those hours alone all the time, but if that’s what you wanted.” She shook her head. “You worry me, Caterina.”
“I always worry you, Mom.” I pushed a couple of pieces back and forth on my plate, not wanting to meet my mother’s gaze.
“You make yourself so miserable, at such a young age. You’re supposed to be happy now. Maybe you should move to where Joe is.”
I dropped my fork along with my jaw. “You’re serious? You’re suggesting I quit a stable job I enjoy to move to a sleepy beach town for a man I’ve only known for three months?”
