Page 47 of More Than A Boss

“I am so happy to see you both!” Allie said beaming. “I’ll take what I can get! I was just getting dressed to head out for dinner. I met a fisherman on the beach today who plays in a jazz group, and he invited me to pop in to listen. Do you guys have any interest?” she asked.

“We deliberately didn’t eat so we could have dinner together. We’ll be ready to go once we unload our suitcases,” Sarah said.

“I’ll go down and get them now,” Pete said.

“I’ll help you,” Allie volunteered.

“No, I’ve got it. You visit with your Mom. I’ll be right back,” he said kindly.

Once the door closed behind Pete, Allie pulled Sarah onto the balcony and sat her down on a chair while Allie rested on the ground at her feet. She immediately began quizzing her. “When did you leave? What car did you drive? Where else did you go?” She rattled on without waiting for an answer.

“Darling, let’s discuss all that at dinner. What I want to know is, how are you holding up?” Sarah asked with a worried look.

“Well, thanks to Casey and Zane, and now you and Pete, I haven’t had time to wallow in self-pity. I’m faring quite well. Oh, Mom!” Allie said, laying her head on her mother’s lap. Sarah gently caressed Allie’s hair back from her brow in a motherly gesture as old as time. “Honestly, I don’t really know how I am. If I stay in the moment, I am doing OK, but if I get ahead of myself or think back to recent events, I freak out a little,” Allie admitted.

“That’s completely understandable, Honey. You’ve been through quite an ordeal. It takes time to heal from emotional trauma like that,” Sarah said soothingly. “I’m always available, any time you need to talk.”

“I know that, Mom. I’m so grateful to have a mother like you…. and I’m so happy to have this opportunity to spend more time with Pete! He seems like a keeper,” Allie said.

“Like you, I’m trying to take it a day at a time, but we are getting on very well and have a lot in common. Since we both had long and happy marriages, we would like to find that someone special to share our lives with. We will have to wait and see,” Sarah said wisely. “What about your relationship with Zane? He seems crazy about you. I know he has been a wreck over this current situation. I was so touched that he came up with the idea to surprise you with his visit and then encouraged us to come,” she shared.

“I still can’t believe he was here and now gone already. Oh, Mom, I miss him so much and I don’t like feeling that vulnerable,” Allie said.

“Well if you want to open your heart to love, that just goes with the territory,” Sarah wisely observed. “The alternative is to shut yourself off from an incredible gift bestowed upon us mere mortals. I believe we were born to love! Zane is a good man. I think it’s safe to trust your gut on this one. I don’t think he’s the type to lead someone on if he’s not really interested. He seems like an all-in kind of guy.” She continued, “However, I’m not the one living your life. You are. The problem is, love is not something you can turn on and off at will, and you are also an all-in kind of girl.” She smiled gently at her daughter.

“I know. It’s a little late for that,” Allie sighed. “No matter how this all ends up, I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Zane has enriched my life so much. I love him,” she said simply.

“I know you do, Al, and I would guess from this perspective that it is returned,” Sarah replied.

Allie smiled and said conspiratorially, “He did use the ‘L’ word on this visit.”

“That doesn’t surprise me in the least. I’m so happy for you, my dear.” Sarah beamed at her daughter.

Pete stuck his head out on the balcony to inform them that he was finished unloading their luggage, so they set off for the restaurant on foot. The Island Time Bar and Grill was an open-air bar with a patio and had a laid-back island vibe. Allie waved to Ray the fisherman, who was playing the upright bass on stage. He nodded and smiled at her as they were seated. They put in an order for the raw bar sampler as an appetizer and decided to get a pitcher of margaritas to share. They went ahead and placed their dinner order at the same time since they were all so hungry.

“Casey had the coconut shrimp when we were here and loved it,” Allie shared. “I think I’m going to order the fish-n-chips.”

“They both sound good, but I think I’ll have the shrimp quesadilla,” Sarah said. “I’ll add some guacamole and chips. Would you want to split the quesadilla and guac and chips, Pete?”.

“Sure, that sounds like a good idea. With the apps, that should be plenty of food,” he replied.

Allie had only had a sip of her margarita when her stomach suddenly started to feel a slight bit queasy. Their food arrived, and Allie barely picked at her meal, causing her mom to express concern. “What’s wrong, Honey, you are barely touching your meal? That’s so not like you,” she commented.

“I don’t know. I suddenly started to feel nauseous,” Allie said. “I’m sure it’s all the stress I’ve been under,” she said reassuringly. “How do you both like your food?”

“Very tasty!” Sarah said.

“Delicious!” Pete said. “These margaritas are really good, too!”

After they had finished their meals, the band started playing an old Herb Alpert song, “This Guy’s in Love with You.” Pete asked Sarah to dance. Allie so wished Casey were here so they could nudge each other and enjoy this moment of seeing her mom being led around the dance floor. It was so romantic! She pulled out her cellphone and covertly snapped a photo of the two of them to text to Casey. They looked so good together, and it seemed as if love was blossoming between them. It made her miss Zane in the worst way.

Walking home later, Sarah and Pete were hand-in-hand with Allie’s arm looped through her mom’s. Allie thought that it had been a lovely evening to remember. She was grateful to have time to get to know Pete a little better. She found herself liking him a lot. He was good for her mom.

Back at the condo, they all agreed that it was time for bed, so they said their goodnights and headed to their respective bedrooms. Brushing her teeth after flossing, Allie reviewed the last week, thinking of all the love she had in her life. She felt so lucky. As she crawled between the sheets, her last thought before she switched off the lamp was of Zane—raw, powerful, and naked. With a smile, she slipped into a deep sleep.

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