“What do you mean?” It was Monday morning, Ava’s day off. She had her phone propped up on the counter as she gave her tiny kitchen its weekly wipe-down, even though she’d hardly used it, as she hadn’t really felt much like cooking since she’d returned from the retreat. Or eating, for that matter.
When she glanced at the phone, her mother tipped her head to the side. “You knowexactlywhat I mean.”
Ava sighed. “It’s just dinner, Mom.”
“Is it, though?”
She stopped scrubbing the sink and stood up, honestly pondering the question. “I mean,” she said, then sighed in what felt a bit like defeat. Her mother knew her well. “I think so? Maybe?”
Her mom’s tender smile made her wish they were together and she could curl up and lay her head in her mother’s lap like she used to do when she was younger.
“All I’m saying is that I want you to protect your heart. I know the feelings you started to develop for this girl. I also know how much she hurt you by not taking you at your word. By not trusting you.”
“I know.”
“It took somebody else telling her the truth for her to realizeyouhad told her the truth.”
“I know.”
Her mother sighed quietly. “Itrust you. Okay? If her apology and buying you dinner,” she pointed at the screen as she added adamantly, “you make her buyis enough for you to give her another chance, then I can accept that. You’re a grown woman, and I trust your judgment. But, baby, protect your heart. Okay? Will you do that for your mom?”
Ava nodded as the love in her mother’s voice and on her face made Ava’s eyes well up. “I will. I promise.”
“That’s all I ask.”
* * *
“Just be your fantastic self.”
That’s what Kiki and Brian had both told Regan as she got ready to head out to dinner.
“It’s okay to apologize again,” Kiki had said. “You do owe her that. But don’t grovel. If she can’t forgive you, she can’t forgive you. You shouldn’t have to apologize forever. But you’re doing the right thing by stepping up and owning your mistake. I’m proud of you.”
Regan rode the subway to the closest stop and then walked the additional three blocks to Savor, an American fusion restaurant that her friend Jason cooked in. Extra thankful the heat wave had eased up and she wasn’t a sweat factory, she pulled the door open and gave her name to the hostess. A glance around told her Ava hadn’t arrived yet, and she was thankful for that as well. More time to calm her nerves and rehearse the things she wanted to say.
Jason had reserved her a table for two in a quiet corner. She let the hostess know she was meeting someone, then took the menu and the wine list and made herself comfortable.
Savor was small, maybe a dozen to fifteen tables total, and it wasn’t terribly busy, but it was Monday, so that made sense. She was off tomorrow and knew Ava was off today, so neither of them had work hanging over their heads tonight.
She took a deep breath and glanced down at her outfit. Simple and—hopefully—classy black pants and a red shirt with capped sleeves. Kiki had said she looked gorgeous, so she was gonna go with that, because Kiki would’ve never let her out of the apartment looking anything but presentable. Tucking hair behind her ear, she had no more time to think because there was Ava, standing just inside the door, and if Kiki thought Regan looked gorgeous, she wondered what adjectives she’d have come up with for Ava. Stunningly beautiful? Impossibly attractive? Alarmingly magnificent?
Exquisite.
That was the word that floated into Regan’s head and stayed as Ava met her gaze, then walked through the restaurant toward her. She was nervous. Regan wasn’t sure how she could tell that, but she could. She knew Ava well enough by now, and that thought surprised her a bit.
“Hi,” Ava said as Regan stood up and startled them both by hugging her. She felt Ava’s arms around her, though, so she drew herself an invisible point.
“You look beautiful,” she said as they sat.
“Thank you. You do, too.” Ava smiled at her. Another thing she could tell about Ava’s face: She knew the difference between her genuine smile and her fake one, and this one was genuine.
“It’s really good to see you.”
Ava laughed softly. “You just saw me three days ago.”
“Too long,” Regan said, and realized that she had never meant anything more.
Ava held her gaze for a moment, then looked around. “This is nice. I’ve never been here. Have you?”
