“Have you been talking to Angela and Madeline? I feel like I’m being tag-teamed here!”
“Ha, no, I haven’t but they aren’t wrong. Bella, you’re a gorgeous woman inside and out. Some man would be lucky to have you in his life. I never met Jasper, but I'm sure you being alone isn't what he would have wanted for you."
"Well — there might have been a little something with someone, but I'm honestly not sure what to make of it."
“Wait, wut? You didn’t tell me you went on a date! Who with? When did you meet? Where did you meet? Do I know him?” Carrie asked.
Reaching for the basket of chips on the table, and helping herself to some salsa, Bella tried to sound casual, “No, it wasn’t a date. And yes, you know him — it was Jack Calloway. That night we all went out. He came back to the house for a nightcap, and we ended up kissing in the kitchen, but then it got weird. I’m not sure if he’s ready to date, or what - he seems like he was devoted to his wife. Which I totally get - I don’t even know if I’m ready! So, I’m not sure. I mean, he seems really nice, and of course he’s not hard on the eyes at all. But still. The whole thing feels complicated.”
“OMG Bella - GET OUT! Why didn’t you tell me? I noticed he couldn’t take his eyes off you - wow. That’s big! How was it - was he a good kisser?
"Let's just say it didn't suck," Bella replied with a grin, before shoving a chip in her mouth.
“I knew it. Have you spoken to him since?”
“Yes, as a matter of fact he called me a few nights ago, wondering if I could help his oldest, Sloane, shop for a homecoming dance dress. I’m going up to Houston the day before my meeting so we can take her shopping. Does shopping with a man’s children qualify as a date?”
“Well, I don’t know if that’s a date, but it’s something. Go for it Bella, see what happens. At the very least it’s good practice if nothing ever happens.” Agreeing with Carrie, they turned their attention to work matters.
But what if I want something to happen?Bella thought to herself.
Chapter 12
Bella arrived Sunday morning in Houston, her flight on time. She met her driver at the baggage claim, and because it was early, traffic was light to the hotel. Checking in, she quickly unpacked, freshened up, and sent Jack a text to say she was there, and to text back when he was on the way, so she knew to head down to the lobby.
Jack pulled up to the front doors of the hotel and headed inside just as Bella came walking out.
Wearing a white tank top, low slung, cropped boyfriend jeans with strategically placed rips and tears, along with a pair of flip flops- flip flops, really?- big sunglasses on her face, hair blowing in the slight breeze, he didn’t understand how even dressed down she still managed to look like a movie star.
Jack steered her towards the car, a white Jeep Grand Cherokee. “No 911 today?”
“That would be a tight squeeze, I thought we might want to be comfortable” he replied with a laugh.
“Hi Ms. Genovese, wow those sunglasses are cool!” Piper yelled out the window of the front seat.
“Hi Piper, Hi Sloane - ready to do some shopping?”
“Piper, backseat with your sister, please, and let Ms. Genovese ride in the front.”
“Aww, no fair Dad, I called shotgun!”
“Piper” he said in a tone that meant business.
“No really Jack, she did call shotgun—them's the rules!” Bella said with a smile.
Once everyone was buckled in, Jack pulled out of the parking lot and headed towards the mall.
Piper leaned over and turned the music up at ear blasting volume, singing along to some song Bella had never heard, but made her smile. Jack gave up after several tries of turning it down, only for it to creep back up. Thankfully, it was a short journey.
“Sloane, did you have something in mind? Or did you want to browse?” Jack asked, as they walked into the mall.
“I’ll know when I see it, Dad. Can we start at some of the independent shops before we go to Nordstrom?”
“Sure, honey, that sounds like a plan,” Jack agreed, internally groaning at the thought of going from store to store.
Trying on dresses at a few places, they were quickly rejected, and Jack was thankful Bella was there to help guide Sloane’s choices. With her innate sense of style, she knew what colors would work best and gave Sloane tips without sounding critical or pushy.
Walking into Nordstrom, they headed up to the dress section, and Sloane stopped dead in the aisle, “That’s IT!” She ran over the rack, scanned the sizes to make sure there was one in her size, and was off to the dressing room. A few minutes later she emerged and Jack caught his breath. His baby lookedbeautiful. The dress was a lavender chiffon, with a high low hemline, and beaded bodice, with a sweetheart neckline.
