Page 33 of We're One

“Including you leaving her,” he reminds me, making me wince.

“I’m going to avoid that topic of discussion.”

He thinks for a moment. “Maybe that isn’t the way to go. Maybe you should discuss it, tell her how sorry you are, tell her what you were going through,” he suggests.

I’m about to argue this point when I stop and think. “Maybe you’re right about that,” I say. “But I also want to focus on the good.”

“Of course. You have to show her you’re serious, show a genuine interest in her life, her past, her present, and her future. Do you know her favorite places in town? Maybe ask her to take you around, and genuinely listen to her. Women love when a guy not only listens, but actually hears what she’s saying and gives good feedback.”

“You’re giving surprisingly good advice,” I tell him with a laugh.

“It happens from time to time.”

“Being with Sasha has really changed you,” I say.

“Just like being with Courtney has changed Blaze. It’s in the best of ways for both of us. We fought being in relationships for a long time, and now I don’t see why. Having a good partner is the best thing that’s happened to us. You might as well not fight the box. It wants you with Sia, so it’s going to happen.”

I scowl at Callan. “I want to be with her, but not because of the damn box. I’ve forgotten all about the game,” I grumble.

“You never forget about the game,” Callan says. “We tell ourselves we do, but we don’t. We have to find out how it all ends.”

“I don’t see what else I’ll get out of this. There are no more hints.”

“There will be. You’ve just yet to hear what they are.”

I roll my eyes at him. “Okay, enough of the game. Let’s focus on this weekend.”

He laughs. “Okay, be yourself and do something fun. Plan activities like a nice walk on the beach at sunset, or visit some local places she likes here. Keep it light, fun, but be prepared to change plans. Don’t set anything in stone. Be patient too. She has lots of people to see. If you give her space, her evenings might be free.” He winks after saying this.

“I can do that.”

“The most important thing of all is to charm her friends. If you’re in with her friends, it makes it that much harder for her to resist you,” Callan says with another chuckle. “Winning over the loved ones is the first key in keeping a woman. If they’re on your side, it’ll make life so much better. I ticked off Aunt Eileen and was worried that was the end of Sasha and me. Scared me to death. It’s a good thing I won her over again.”

“I don’t know how you did since you’re such a pompous ass,” I tell him with a laugh.

“I’m amazing and you know it.”

“You aren’t the worst person on the planet.”

He gives me a punch in the arm. “The most important thing of all, Zach, is to be yourself.”

“That I know how to do best.”

He laughs. “I disagree. I think we thought we were being ourselves for a very long time, but we were so good at pretending, that we even fooled ourselves. I’m happier and freer than I’ve been in so long I can’t remember the last time I wasn’t happy. We get used to hiding in who we’re supposed to be versus who we want to be, so much that we don’t notice the change. The thing is, we’re great people. We were raised by the best of the best, and once we remember who we are, we’re worth being with.”

I don’t know why, but this chokes me up a little. My brother might be right. I’ve run so hard and so fast for far too long; I’ve lost a bit of myself. Sia being back in my life is slowing me down and making me think of who I really am and who I want to be, who I want my parents and grandparents to see from up above.

We reach town and head to The Mermaid Café. The women are in there, and knowing Sia’s close is pulling me in. I won’t bug her as she visits with her family and friends, seeing her is good enough for now. I have tonight. If I get my way, she’ll be staying with me. I have some fantasies involving champagne and chocolate. I put a little extra skip in my steps.

This is my chance to show Sia how much I care about her, how much I’ve always cared, even if I didn’t know it for a long time. We began our journey in this small seaside town. It’s a perfect place to renew the relationship. I step into the café with a big smile on my face. This is going to be a wonderful weekend. I’ll make sure of it.

Chapter Fifteen

Sia

The bell over the door chimes as Sasha, Nikki, and I step into The Mermaid Café. We can’t come to town without coming here first every single time. The cozy hum of the café erupts into cheerful greetings as patrons recognize us. This town is so dang inviting. Why I was in such a hurry to get out of here, I’ll never know. Maybe as a teen it felt stifling, but when you’re in a city of over a million people, it’s easy to feel lost or forgotten. That will never happen in Seaville.

“Look who the sea dragged in,” Sasha’s Aunt Eileen calls from her usual table nestled into the corner of the café where Vivian, Martha and she are sitting. They’re at this café for hours each day. This is gossip central. “You girls get your booties over here,” Eileen demands. We know better than to disobey. We’ll be fifty and still nodding and doing what we’re told. I wonder if anyone ever told these ladies what to do. I highly doubt it.

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