I feel jealously creeping in as I imagine her out on dates with other guys.
We eat as Char tells us about her plans to build a fort and then breakfast is over. Mallory says she’s got to run and I let her leave without any protest.
I clean up the dishes and get Charlotte ready for the day. I don’t have work so it’s just the usual weekend day of chores, grocery shopping, and making sure Charlotte stays occupied.
But the entire day I’m racking my brain about what could have changed. What shifted during the night for Mallory to so easily slip away. And it hits me as I’m trying to fall asleep. She must’ve been awake when I whispered “I think I’m fallingfor you.” I thought her steady breathing meant she was already asleep. I don’t know how to fix this.
Or if I should.
I told her this wasn’t going anywhere. But the words I said were true, straight from my heart. I couldn’t keep them inside. They tumbled out into the darkness of my bedroom. I’ll just chat with her tomorrow, I’m sure she’ll be at the bakery.
Monday passesand no sign of Mallory. Work was hectic and we’re rushing to finish a huge order for the big ball that’s the end of the Heart-to-Heart festival. We do the sweets table every year but this year we’re also in charge of the breakfast baked goods the day after.
It’s Tuesday and it’s been radio silence from Mallory. I sent her a text yesterday but it was left on read. Valentine is a small town, I’m bound to run into her at some point. I pick Charlotte up from daycare and ask if she’d like to grab pizza for dinner. She gives an eager yes and we’re off to one of the family run restaurants in town.
Our town only has a few options, a classic diner, an upscale steak place that people drive from towns over to eat at, and the tiny mom and pop Italian restaurant. We’re headed to Nonna’s, the charming Italian restaurant with a secret sauce recipe the family swears comes from generations back in Sicily. We get seated in one of the red leather booths and the smell of garlic wafts around us. One plus side to being locals is you get seated right away, in your usual spot. And before you can say anythingthe waitress brings your regular drink order with a basket of fresh, warm garlic bread.
“When will Mallory be over again?” Charlotte asks after the waitress brings her a glass of apple juice. I take a long drink of soda as I weigh my options on what answer to give.
How much should I disclose to a four-year-old?
“I’m not sure Char. She’s here on vacation.”
“But what about girls’ day?” she whines. Which is unusual. Charlotte is an amazing kid, not a trouble maker or a rulebreaker. Whining is uncharacteristic, unless she’s tired. Which, with the energy she has now as she colors the kid’s sheet, is unlikely.
“She’s busy Char, she’s here for the festival. I don’t think there will be another girl’s day sweetie.” I didn’t realize how attached Charlotte had been getting. I thought that since she knew upfront that Mallory wasn’t from here then she would understand at some point Mallory would leave town.
“Can we ask her?” Charlotte asks as she points at another table. I look in the direction, and sure enough, there is Mallory sitting with another guy. Not even someone I know, so he must be an out of towner like her.
A swirl of jealously and desire mix in my stomach. She’s wearing a striking red velvet dress with long flowy sleeves and a low-cut neckline that accentuates her bust. Her long blonde hair curled, bouncing ever so slightly as her head moves as she chats with the mystery man. Her bright red lips match her dress and I can feel the lust growing, shoving envy aside.
“Not now Char, let’s eat.” The waitress brings our usual pepperoni pizza over and I take a piece to add to Charlotte’s plate. “Do you want me to cut it?”
“No,” she picks up the slice and starts to eat.
I let my eyes wander over to the table where Mallory sits. She’s laughing and places her hand on the guy’s forearm. My stomach clenches, I’ve lost my appetite.
You told her it was nothing.
I shake the nagging voice in my head and pay attention to Char. I answer yes to something she says but I realize after she slides out of the booth that I wasn’t fully paying attention to her words. I watch her run over to Mallory and tug on her dress sleeve. Mallory’s eyes widen with surprise and she knocks over a glass of wine as she scoots her chair backwards to stand.
I stand and hurry over just as they’re dabbing napkins and the waitress brings a dish towel over to dab the table. We get the mess cleaned up and Char is able to give Mallory a tight hug before Mallory sits back down at the table.
“Jake, Charlotte, it’s nice to see you,” Mallory gestures to her date, “this is Todd, he’s in finance and based in New York. We met at salsa dancing last night.” I shake his hand before letting my gaze roam Mallory’s body. She bites her bottom lip and then sips her water. What I want to say is “You should be eating with us. You should be with me.” But that’s not right. We both know this had no real-life happily ever after ending.
So instead, I tell both of them, “Nice to meet you, sorry we interrupted your evening.”
Charlotte hugs my leg, but asks Mallory, “Can we have a girl’s day?” She is laying it on thick. I know by her tone she has those big round puppy dog eyes. Mallory looks from Char to me. I shrug my shoulders.
The jealousy is fist-fighting the clear desire I have for Mallory.
“I think we can do that,” Mallory looks to me, “can I spend tomorrow afternoon with Charlotte? They’re having a family friendly painting class at the community center.”
“Daddy, please!” She tugs on my jeans and I can’t help but agree to it.
“I’ll make sure she’s at the bakery if that works.” It’s as if co-parenting. The awkwardness surrounding scheduling time with a shared child. Except it’s just Charlotte so enamored with Mallory, a woman who wants nothing further to do with me.
And that’s something I need to deal with on my own.
