Surprise - Part 4

Taking over for Sarah E. Stevens is DeeDee Lane

Gregory swiped the "dismiss call," on his cell. No need to listen to his mother launch into her laundry list of ways he was ruining his life by moving to Chicago, leaving his design job, and breaking up with Justine. She’d failed to understand he'd been the dumped and not the dumpee in his recent breakup.

Hands free he glanced around the clean, sun filled café. Summer daisies in small bud vases decorated the table tops. His table near the large picture window at the entrance was the perfect vantage point to spot Rachel. Maybe this was a mistake, his corner coffee shop, where everyone knew his name. The Starbucks across the street would have been less personal. His fingers tapped out a beat from Hamilton, "I am not throwing away my shot, not throwing away my shot..."

Mabel, his favorite waitress set down a steaming vanilla latte. "Something's got you all fired up, gotta be a gal." She gestured toward his tapping fingers.

"Yep," he admitted smoothing a flat palm over his cowlick. “I might like her more than she likes me."

"You'll know if she shows." Mabel winked. "Midwesterners don't give up sunny summer afternoons for a maybe guy."

Mabel patted his shoulder and weaved her way behind the high counter dividing the cafe's seating area.

He blew out a breath, tempted to check the time on his smartphone. Instead he inhaled the scented foam. His life had changed radically in the last six months. Sure, change was invigorating, but could also cause anxiousness, swirling doubts, and sleep deprivation only solved by snuggling up next to a grumpy cat named Felix. Whoa… direct hit to his manliness quotient, he’d thought “snuggle” and “cat” in the same sentence.

This had been a tough transition. Until yesterday when it all came together the instant he'd laughed with Rachel. He’d felt "right" for the first-time in... well a very long time. When he'd approached Rachel to share a glass of champagne at the bar he'd noticed her gorgeous mane of chestnut hair piled atop her head, um yeah, he was a single guy for the past month, so noticing was a given. He'd expected to engage in light conversation with his cousin’s best friend and be on his way. Instead here he was waiting…desperately glad she'd agreed to meet this afternoon. They’d connected, he knew it, especially when he volunteered to dog sit her beagles.

By now Rachel and his cousin Marni had met up for lunch. If Alison was known for her bitchiness his cousin Marni was the family gossip which meant Rachel got an earful on his recent break up. Not even Marni knew the whole story. Months ago, when he told Justine he was leaving the design world to work in public housing a disdainful grimace had flitted across her face. Seeing his long-term girlfriend look at him in such a judgmental way forced him to re-evaluate his relationship along with the changes he was making in his work life. Justine wanted to hold onto their high society life style, she envisioned them as an NYC power couple and no amount of discussion could sway her ideal. She argued, she'd pleaded, even got his Mom involved.

Gregory had planned to stay in NYC until a college friend mentioned the job in Chicago. Longing for a break from Justine he jumped at the chance to get some space. However, Justine had not taken the move well and after six months delivered her ultimatum. Either pick up their old life on the east coast or she was done. He ended it and was left living in a strange city, earning a much smaller though ultimately more satisfying pay check, and snuggling his cat.

A couple hours hanging out with Rachel wasn’t enough to declare her "the one” He liked her easy smile, her curiosity, and…Hmm…He glanced at his phone. Five texts from his mother was even excessive for her helicopter ways. Why had he taught his mom how to use emoticons? Shuffling through the thumbs up and smiley faces he searched for actual words...

He blew out his breath and glanced up. Rachel waved from the front area outside the café. She was framed in the window and pointed down to the squirming beagles she led on leashes. He laughed aloud, his mood instantly brightening. His chair squeaked along the floor as he pushed it back. Rachel was gesturing to someone entering the café. She struggled with the dogs, pulling them away from another customer’s ankles. Gregory left money and a tip scattered on the table. A walk with the dogs and their charming owner sounded perfect.

The door jerked open, Rachel's apologies now audible echoed through the entry way. "You're right, I'm so so sorry. Your sandals are just colorful, they can't help themselves."

"You shouldn't be allowed to keep pets, if you can’t control them from licking in public."

The clipped voice froze Gregory in his path to the door. Justine. In Chicago. Suddenly his Mom’s smiley face emoticons made sense.

Justine spied him and in an instant her entire demeanor changed. "Gregory darling, I missed you.  I knew I'd find you at your little hangout."  She threw herself into his arms. Her expensive scent, the signature Justine filled his nose. Blond hair tickled his neck. Automatically he hugged her back.  “You look surprised.” She leaned away and continued. “Didn’t your Mother tell you I was coming to take you back?”

He met Rachel’s gaze over Justine’s shoulder. Her lips formed a perfect Oh. A blush crept up from her neck to her cheeks. Gregory’s mind raced, the words, “It’s not what you think,” blasted through his head. Never was a cliché as true.

 

How was he going to fix this?  

What happens next?

1-      Gregory sidesteps Justine and joins Rachel for a walk with the dogs.

2-      Gregory sits down with Justine to let her have her say and decides to call Rachel later to make an apology and explain.

3-      Gregory moves to a bigger outdoor table to accommodate Rachel, Justine, and the two beagles.

Please vote by leaving a comment - Deadline is Midnight on Wednesday August 8, 2018!