Page 48 of Mia Amata

I smiled. “Morning,” I replied back. Another text came a couple seconds later, “Can’t wait to see you. I’ll pick you up at 11:30.”

“Perfect,” I answered.

After lying there for a little while longer, I got out of bed and took a shower. I put on the blue sundress that Eva had given me and took some care with my makeup and hair. I completed the outfit with what little jewelry I had and my sandals. I looked in the mirror, pleased with what I saw. I had healed up pretty well; the makeup covered what remained of the bruising on my face.

My ribs and abdomen were still a little bruised and sore, but much improved. I went out to the kitchen, making a pot of coffee, and took a cup out on the deck. Lucky ran around the yard playing for a little bit then stopped, coming to lay at my feet. My phone chirped. I looked to see a message from Randy. “Overslept, did I miss coffee?”

“Having it now,” I replied.

“Be right over,” came her reply.

A few minutes later, Randy was walking up to the porch. “Well, don’t you look pretty this morning. You didn’t need to get all dressed up for me.” She laughed. She went inside to get a cup of coffee and grabbed a cinnamon roll too then came back out.

“Josh still sleeping?” I asked.

“No.He is doing some laundry and getting some things ready to go back to work. He has to leave after lunch.” She was clearly sad about his leaving, but she looked at me slyly, “I see you didn’t ask about Jacob.” She looked at me and raised an eyebrow. “Why do I have a feeling you already know he is up, not to mention exactly what he is doing?”

I smiled. “I do.”

Randy smiled back, “Did something happen last night that I missed out on?”

“Yes.”

“Spill it, girl! Tell me all you can without the dirty details!”

“Well, let’s see. Norman Bates killed a lady in the shower…”

“Mattie!” Randy exclaimed. “Not in the movie! What happened last night between you and Jacob?” I brought her up to date on my relationship with Jacob, leaving out the most personal details of course. I also told her we planned to spend the day together. “I am so excited for you! He is falling head over heels for you!”

“I think you might be right. Oh, Randy, I don’t know what to do.” I sighed.

“Why?” she asked.

“We really seem to connect, but I just recently got out of a terrible relationship and am pregnant. What man would want something to do with me now?”

“Stop that!” Randy said. “You are a very pretty woman. Not to mention smart, witty, with a fantastic personality. I know I haven’t known you for very long, but I feel like you are like a sister to me. What guy wouldn’t want to get to know you better? Right now, that is all it is, just two single people attracted to each other going to spend some time together.”

I nodded, “Yes, that’s true. I guess you are right, we just met Sunday, so nothing to lose right?”

“Exactly!” She exclaimed. “Plus, Jacob is a great guy. I’ve known him for almost as long as I have known Josh. You two would make a great couple.”

“Couple,” I said. “I don’t know if that is what I am looking for right now.”

“Why not? Are you still in love with the father of the baby?” I thought to myself that I just left my husband, but I truthfully had not been in love with him for years, he beat that out of me a long time ago.

I replied honestly, “No, I don’t think I ever really loved him. I think it was more that I wanted to be loved. He just flattered me, saying all the right things, making me think it was love. Now I know it wasn’t.”

“Look,” she said, “I’m not pushing you to make a commitment with Jacob at all. All I am saying is why not give it a chance? You deserve to be happy, just as much as he does. If it works out between you two, great. If not, you will end up with another good friend, which is still a win for both of you. Now I’m going to get going before he gets here.” We both stood up and took our coffee cups into the kitchen.

She gave me a hug. “Look, just have fun today with Jacob. Don’t sweat over it. Let things go where they may.”

“I will,” I replied.

With that, she turned and left. I washed up the coffee cups. Looking at the clock, I realized that Jacob would be here soon. I fed Lucky, filling his water dish as well. “What do you think about Jacob?” I asked Lucky. Lucky looked up at me, wagging his tail and barking. “Sounds like you approve. I think I’m crazy for even considering the idea after everything. Oh well, I’m not going to worry about that right now. We will just have a good time today.” Lucky barked and wagged his tail again.

A few minutes later I heard Jacob’s truck pull up to the house, then a knock on the door. I opened the door, letting Jacob in. He walked in, looking at me with those intense blue eyes of his. “You look beautiful,” he said, leaning down to kiss me.

When he pulled back, I said, “Thank you. Let me just grab my purse. I’m ready to go.”

---