Page 42 of More Trouble
Scarlett’s excitement tempered somewhat. “Remember what I said to you in the hospital? We only have one life and it’s for living. You and Dre are perfect together. No matter what happened in the past, you have the opportunity to start over now.” She paused and took a steadying breath. “Wes and I don’t have that. I wish with all my heart we did, that he was still here, and we were planning for the future.” Her hands ran over her barely swollen stomach protectively. “You both want it, so make it happen.”
Gah. She was right. Scarlett was always right.
There was a knock on the door. I glanced at the time. Exactly when Andre should arrive. He had always been punctual.
Scarlett squeezed my hand. “Go. Have fun. Let yourself love him.”
I bit my lip as I hugged her. “Love you, Scar.”
She released me and winked. “I won’t wait up.”
I got up and answered the door. Andre was there, dressed in chinos and a smart pale blue shirt. My breath caught. Sure, he was a few years older, but he was still the same deliciously handsome Andre Cash.Why was I trying to kid myself I didn’t want this?
“Hey, Willa.” His gaze swept over my dress. “You look amazing.” He presented me with what was by now an almost mandatory bunch of gerberas.
“Here, I’ll take those. Why don’t you kids head off?” Scarlett’s voice came from behind me and she swiped the flowers out of Andre’s hands. She gave me a gentle shove in the small of my back and I stumbled towards Andre.
He caught me in his arms and the scent of his aftershave wafted over me. Safe. Familiar. My already jittery tummy flipped.
I fluttered my fingers at Scarlett, and we headed out to Andre’s car. “Where are we going?”
Andre didn’t look as me. Instead, he concentrated on unlocking the car and opening the door for me. It was so formal, like being on our first ever date again. “I think you’ll like it.”
There weren’t many places in Cali Cross and when Andre started the recognizable drive towards Cali Heights, it suddenly clicked.
He was taking me to Casa Vila.
The little Italian trattoria was one of my favorite restaurants. I’d loved it back then and I loved it that Andre remembered now. A smile tugged at the corners of my mouth, already watering at the thought of their superb spaghetti alle vongole.
Everything was pointing towards the fact I should stay in Cali Cross and make a go of things with Andre. Maybe it was time to stop fighting and go with it. Although perhaps I’d make Andre sweat a little more before telling him my decision.
The same family still ran the restaurant and greeted us like old friends. When we were shown to exactly the same table we used to frequent in the old days, I wondered quite how much planning Andre had put into the evening.
We chatted easily as we drank dry white wine and shared a prawn starter. He admitted how much he’d struggled to accept Lyla’s relationship with Maddox and how it was all still so new.
Halfway through the main course – spaghetti alle vongole for me, Bolognese for Andre, we started talking about the future.
“You should move back here, Willa,” said Andre, through mouthfuls of pasta. “Look what a great team we make.”
For a moment, I wasn’t sure whether he was referring to him and I or Lyla and Maddox as well.
“Scarlett’s not going to need us forever,” I replied. “And I’d need a job.”
“I happen to know the Country Club are on the lookout for a new catering and events manager.” He didn’t meet my gaze as he spoke. “I could put in a good word, if you’re interested.”
The Country Club was the last place I really wanted to work, but my options around Cali Cross were limited. It would mean working with Andre. Not to mentionthattwin.
“Mmm,” I said, noncommittally. “My life is in the city now.”
“Is it, Willa?” He placed his fork and spoon down and fixed me with a stare. “These past few days have meant more to me than anything. You know how much I want to make a fresh start with you. If anything, it’s taught me to live life to the fullest, chase after what you really want,whoyou really want. And it’s you, Willa. It’s always been you.”
Hearing him say those words made my heart race. I don’t know who I’d been kidding all these years. Andre had been the only one for me. The guys I had dated and tried to fall in love with, they never measured up.
Could I take that risk and jump back in with both feet?
Everything Scarlett had said earlier rang in my ears.
Live for now, not what was or what might be.
