Page 56 of Scandalously Yours

I took her hand as we left my building. “There’s a great place just up ahead,” I told her, and she beamed at me.

“This neighborhood is so beautiful. It’s nothing like the home I grew up in back in Providence.”

“How is your grandfather doing?” I asked her as we walked hand in hand the two blocks to the small café.

“I didn’t tell you, but he remembered me.” Her voice was so exuberant, and I knew how happy she was, and I was honestly thrilled for her myself.

“No one could forget you forever, Ale. You’re very unforgettable, but that’s something he likely already knows.”

Alessia leaned into me, and I pointed out the sign of the place where we were going. We had almost made it there when her phone started to ring. “I have to get this,” she told me as she came to a complete stop. I didn’t know whether to intrude by standing there or not, so I opted to be better safe than sorry when it came to assumptions.

“I’ll give you some privacy and grab our coffees.” I knew from the hospital which flavors she liked, and I was sure I could place her order while she talked to whoever it happened to be on the other line.

The one thing I didn’t have to even speculate about when she returned a call was who it was. With Hayley, I never knew. It could’ve been a friend, or some other man. I stepped into the café and walked up to the counter.

“May I help you?” the barista asked, and I smiled politely before placing our order.

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