Caleb chuckled softly as he slid over to make room for me. “Noelle’s been talking about this all day.”
Noelle beamed, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “It’s my favorite place,” she said, holding up the menu as if to prove it. “They have the best cheese.”
“Well, I’m sure it’s going to be amazing,” I said, sliding into the booth beside him. “Thanks for letting me join you two.”
Caleb spoke again. “Noelle, I’d like to introduce you to Grace. She has become a good friend of mine these past few weeks while she’s been staying at The Grand.” He looked at me and smiled then turned back to Noelle, obviously trying to gauge her reaction.
Noelle started her own cross-examination. “A friend?” She folded her arms across her chest and rolled her eyes in disbelief. “Does she work at Bar? Are you dating?” Damn, she could work for law enforcement.
Caleb and I answered simultaneously.
“No,” I said as I shook my head. Caleb stated simply, “Yes.”
I couldn’t help but chuckle.
“Who’s lying?” Noelle raised her eyebrow before she started laughing as well. “Grown-ups are weird.”
“Grace’s filling in, but she doesn’t technically work there. As for whether we’re seeing one another—” he tried to explain, but she was already over the conversation.
“You’re dating,” Noelle said simply and reached for a menu.
After we ordered, the conversation shifted to the pizza itself and we then found ourselves in easy chatter. I could tell Caleb was doing his best to make sure the night felt relaxed and comfortable, like a regular family dinner. Even though I hoped it was the start of something more.
Noelle’s gaze fell on my charm bracelet. I smiled to myself and my heart warmed at her appreciating my favorite accessory. “Do you like my bracelet?” I asked, my voice soft.
She nodded. “It’s so cool. What do all the little things mean?”
I smiled and held out my arm so Noelle could get a closer look. “Each one is a little memory. This one is from Paris.”
“Wow! You’ve been to Paris?” Noelle gasped loudly, covering her mouth with her hands.
I nodded and made a mental note to ask Caleb if I could buy her a charm bracelet. I recounted some fun facts about my time in Paris, a watered-down version, of course.
“That’s so cool. Your bracelet is beautiful and it tells your story!” Noelle grinned and looked behind us to where the pizza was coming out. It was hot and fresh, and we dug in. It was every bit as delicious as Noelle promised. Caleb liked half pepperoni and Noelle teased him about being “high maintenance.” I found myself laughing more than I had in a long time. Once we finished eating, Caleb turned to me, his expression softer than usual. “I’m really glad you’re here tonight,” he said quietly. “Noelle’s been asking about you nonstop.”
I felt my chest tighten, and I smiled at him. “I’m glad I came. It feels good to be part of something—with you both, right here.” I gestured to the table. “It’s nice.”
Caleb’s gaze lingered on me. “You’re part of this, Grace.”
My heart burst with warmth. This was something I never anticipated. It was simple, but it felt like everything.
“Dad,” Noelle interrupted, her voice excited. “Can we go home and make ice cream sundaes?”
Caleb smiled at her, a little exasperated but tender, nonetheless. “You know we can, kiddo.”
“Grace, you’re coming with us!” Noelle declared, clapping her hands.
I laughed, allowing her to drag me out of the booth while Caleb settled the bill.
I didn’t have all the answers about what this meant to me, for me, or for Caleb and Noelle, but at that moment, it didn’t matter. I felt like I was exactly where I was supposed to be.
I was standing in Caleb’s kitchen barefoot, watching him rummage through cabinets for bowls while Noelle climbed onto the counter and began sorting through ingredients like a tiny sugar-fueled manager. Chocolate, caramel, whipped cream, chopped nuts, and a jar of maraschino cherries that may or may not have been ten years old.
“Dad, I wasn’t even born when these expired.”
“Caleb, do you even eat this stuff?” I asked, eyeing the ancient cherry jar.
He shrugged sheepishly and handed me a bowl, our fingers brushing briefly. I felt the electricity between us like I always did whenever our skin came in contact.
