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“So what led you to find our group, dear?” Gerda asks.
“Well, actually … I thought I was ready to date, or I thought I should be I guess. So, I got online to create a dating profile, and I sort of had a breakdown about it.” Furrowing my brow, I contemplate what to say next. “I felt like that was a sign I wasn’t done grieving, so I Googled support groups instead.”
Bernice, who’s sitting next to me, pats my shoulder. “We’ve all been there, sweetheart. It’s difficult to put yourself out there again.”
Evie, the shy one on my other side, nods her head. “I think you’re so strong for even entertaining the idea of dating again. I definitely haven’t gotten to that point yet, but I hope I will, eventually.”
After exhaling a deep breath, I respond, “Thank you, ladies. That makes me feel a little better.”
“So you live on your own now with your daughter?” Lisa asks.
“Yes, actually a family friend of ours offered me the apartment in his basement. He works for the same orthopedic surgery group as my father, and we kind of adopted him and his daughter into the family. I watch his daughter for him when he’s on-call.” I smile at the ladies. “It’s been so nice to have my own space again, and I feel safe knowing Drew’s right upstairs.”
“That’s wonderful!” Lisa says with a smile.
Ashley nods. “Sounds like the perfect situation for you! I lived with my parents after losing my husband too, and I completely understand how strange that can be.”
I nod my head enthusiastically. “It’s so weird. I’m glad they were willing to help though.”
“So, how young is this surgeon exactly?” Gerda waggles her eyebrows.
I chuckle awkwardly. “Umm, I think he’s like mid to late thirties?”
Gerda brings her hand to her chin in contemplation. “A little young, but I could make it work.”
Bernice slaps her shoulder playfully. “Oh, stop! You already have a friend,” she says, using air quotes on the word “friend.”
“Can a woman ever have too many friends?” Gerda quips back.
“Yes! I, however, don’t have a special friend. Is this surgeon handsome?” Bernice winks at me playfully.
The women in the circle giggle and wait for me to answer.
Hearing the pairing of the words Drew and handsome in the same sentence brings a deep and unexpected blush to my chest and face. I feel burning hot and set down my macchiato.
Gerda erupts into laughter. “Well, I’d say that blush is answer enough for us.”
Lisa gives Gerda a stern glance. “Oh, leave the poor girl alone.”
Gerda looks besmirched. “You’re right. I’m sorry Sophie. Bernice and I get a little rowdy sometimes.”
Bernice whips her white back-combed head to look at her sister. “I do not! It’s all you!”
The rest of the ladies shake their heads at the two sisters with bemused expressions on their faces.
I have a feeling I’ll fit in here just fine.
When I arrive back home that afternoon, I go to the main house and meet Drew in his kitchen. Since Penny is spending the day with Emily and Sam is at my parent’s, he offered to teach me how to cook a few simple meals. And learning how to cook from someone besides my mother didn’t sound so bad. I’m a little nervous he’s going to teach me how to make ridiculous meals like calamari and crepes.
Those are the kinds of meals my mother taught me to make—er, tried to teach me to make. Her fancy meals were so intimidating, I never felt comfortable attempting to make them on my own.
Drew has a big grin on his face and classical music is playing from the kitchen’s Bluetooth speaker. He’s surrounded by supplies, ranging from flour and salt, to cuts of meat. He’s even wearing a white canvas apron.
I shake my head from side to side in amusement, but slowly, a smile spreads across my face. Goodness, the man is adorable. I never imagined adorable would be an adjective I’d use to describe this masculine, confident man.
But he is adorable.
I stand next to him, feeling eclipsed by his tall form. My dad and brothers are tall, but Drew has to be several inches taller than all of them. He’s also more brawny, with a thickly muscled chest and arms. The man obviously makes good use of his garage gym.
