Page 82 of Savannah Sweethearts

“Perfect. Write it down.”

“Already did.”

“Thanks again, Orlando. Truly. That meant the world to me.”

I could hear her words getting slower as sleep began to claim her. “Anytime, hon.”

She giggled. “Hon. That’s cute. Goodnight.”

We hung up and I grinned. I had felt exhausted, but after the call from Tori and talking to Amaya, my mind was racing. I looked up James Worthy, but low and behold, I had an email from him in waiting for me. It said he had spoken with Tori about acquiring a property on the east coast and she suggested mine. It would seem he already had the numbers in hand. It must be nice having more money than anybody else.

I wasn’t too sure what to respond, so I closed the email for now. It could wait until Monday. The old me wouldn’t have put off business because it was the weekend, but this new, slower-paced me certainly would.

Amaya

The flowers on my desk Monday morning brought a smile to my face. A lovely spray of pinks and yellows brought color to my office and a blush to my cheeks. Orlando really was sweet, but this had been unnecessary. I checked the note. The flowers were not from Orlando, but from Riviera. So sorry about everything Saturday. Enjoy the flowers and a dinner out on us! – George and Riviera Painter.

“Whoa, who are those from?” Cordelia whistled as she came through the door. Her tiny frame took up no space, but the woman was a presence all her own.

“My bride and groom from this weekend. There was a little incident.” I filled her in on what had happened and how Orlando came to my rescue.

“He likes you, you know,” she said, wrinkling her nose.

She was just so cute. It made me miss my mom. “I know. I like him, too.”

A manicured hand ran delicately over the blooms. “Make him think these are from another man. See if he gets jealous.”

“Cordelia!” I was shocked she would suggest such a thing.

She winked and sauntered off, leaving me shaking my head behind her.

A text from my sister put me into slight panic mode.

Linaya: Mommy and Daddy are coming.

I missed my parents terribly, and while they didn’t live more than three hours away in southern Georgia, it might as well be thirty hours away for all that we saw them. There were weekly phone calls where my very southern mother asked why we weren’t married yet and my father told terrible dad jokes, but the visits were, regrettably, few and far between.

Amaya: When? Why?

Linaya: I told them about Aaron. They’re coming to meet him. And I might have told them about Orlando. And we have to plan my graduation party! I graduate in a month!

I almost forgot my baby sister would be part of the August commencement at SCAD. She had always planned to go to New York, but would she do that now with Aaron here in Savannah? They hadn’t been dating long, but my sister was head over heels for the guy.

Linaya: They’re coming up Friday. Is this a wedding weekend?

My calendar showed there was a small event at The Promenade Saturday and I was not going to be wearing a hideous gown. I bet Cordelia would be willing to head that up, especially if it meant she got to meet my parents.

A text from my mom confirmed their travel plans.

Mom: Change those spare sheets. We’re coming Friday.

With arrangements made for Cordelia to handle the weekend event, Linaya and I spruced up my place for our parents’ arrival. I had the spare bedroom for them since Linny was in a shared studio apartment, so they always stayed with me. We washed everything, picked up loads of fresh fruit from the market, and chewed our fingernails until they arrived.

“Sawadee!” Dad hollered at us from the other side of the door instead of knocking. The traditional Thai greeting was his way of announcing himself. When I opened the door, he repeated himself. “Sawadee, y’all!”

Mom pushed him aside and came through the door. “There’s my girls.” She kissed both our foreheads. “Linny, Amaya, let me see you.”

Mom was tiny but mighty, much like Cordelia, but in a totally different way. Mom was loud and proud with red hair piled on top of her head, cheetah-print everything, and earrings that could take out a prize fighter. She was as ostentatious as Cordelia was demure. I had missed her.

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