Page 73 of All In
I gather up my purse and coat and walk toward the doors, eager to open them. My new life waiting on the other side.
I push the grocery cart to the meat case and stop in front of the chicken. I sent Brielle and Mason off to the cereal aisle to pick what they want for the week. Knowing my kids, they will have Cinnamon Toast Crunch and Lucky Charms in their hands.
“Maria? Is that you?” The deep male voice is coming from beside me. I turn and see Sam’s best friend, Ricky, smiling back at me.
“Ricky, hi! Yep, it’s me.” I come from around my cart, and we embrace in front of the pork chops.
He squeezes me tight and shakes us, which causes me to let out a soft chuckle. A surge of deep nostalgia fills my chest as he finally lets go, and I take in the sight of him after all these years.
“It’s so good to see you,” he says, full of sincerity. “It’s been forever. How are you?” Ricky looks exactly how I remember him. Still basketball tall and thin, with the same goofy smile and charisma that always attracted the ladies. He gives me a once-over. “You look fantastic.” And he’s still a shameless flirt.
“Well, thank you,” I giggle, a hint of embarrassment coloring my cheeks as his compliment reminds me of how long it has been since a man has noticed me. “I’ve been good. Better than I have in a really long time, actually.”
“Well, that sounds like a story waiting to be told.” His voice is filled with intrigue.
“Nothing to tell. I just got divorced.”
His eyes droop in sadness. “Oh, I’m sorry. That must have been hard.”
“Oh, trust me, I’m not. It’s hands down the best decision I have ever made.”
“Well … then, good for you!” He nudges me in the arm, and a genuine smile comes across his face.
“How about you?” I nudge him back. “Anyone special in your life?”
His laughter fills this corner of the store, causing me to snicker in return. “Me? Gosh, no. You know I will always be the constant bachelor. Best life ever.”
A snicker escapes me effortlessly, as I expected nothing less than this. After a few beats, a thought pops into my head.Should I ask him about Sam?Are they still in touch? Is it a good idea to ask?
Then I remind myself. I am the new Maria who doesn’t back down, and I conquer my fears. So I muster up the courage, curiosity hanging on my tongue, bursting to come out.
“So, do you still keep in touch with Sam? How is he these days?” The question comes out shakier than I wanted. So much for trying to exude confidence.
He pauses and doesn’t answer right away, shifting on his feet. I can tell he is trying to gather his thoughts, probably deciding what to share and what not to share about our mutual friend. And the love of my life, the one that got away. Whatever he is. Or was.
He smiles, hesitant and unsure. “I do, actually. Sam is great. He moved back home, just last month.”
With this new information, my face feels hot, and butterflies erupt in my stomach. Sam being in the same city as me is creating a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions, but I have to keep my cool.
“That’s great. I’m glad to hear it. Please tell him I said hello,” I squeak out, sounding like a hyena.
Nice to know that even the thought of Sam still gets me tongue-tied.
He gives me a quizzical look, and then the same flirtatious Ricky grin appears. “I will. It was nice to see you again, Maria. Take care of yourself.” He offers me a soft wave as he wheels his grocery cart away.
“You as well.” I glance over my shoulder and watch him turn down the soup aisle.
As I refocus on the chicken, my knees almost give out. The thought of Sam being this close to me for the first time since our walk in the park is doing crazy things to my head. I replay my conversation with Ricky, and I realize he didn’t mention Sam’s relationship status.
A glimmer of hope stirs inside of me, but I can’t get excited. He could be with someone.
I shove aside thoughts of Sam as I see my kids approaching with their hands full of cereal boxes. They drop them into the cart. “Seriously, guys?”
“Yes, seriously,” Mason quips. “I’m a growing boy.” I raise my eyebrows at him as I pick up some chicken breast and toss it in.
“Mom, who was that guy you were talking to?” Brielle asks, her lips pursed together.
“Oh, that was Ricky. Just someone I went to high school with.”
