Page 47 of Dreaming Without Heartache

“Do you girls know what you want?” I ask, glancing between them.

“Chicken fingers and fries.” Maisie happily puts in her request as she reaches for a mozzarella stick. The world at her age is very different. She lives in the moment.

“Same,” Kara adds. “With ketchup and honey mustard, please.”

“Yes, ketchup, please.” Maisie takes a bite.

“Please make their chicken grilled and add a side of fruit for their plates.” I glance down at the menu, having no idea what I want. “I’ll take the…” My appetite has vanished. “The farmhouse salad with vinaigrette dressing.”

As the server walks away, I glance across the room to see Ginger staring at me. She waves, then proceeds to stand. She says something to Sam before heading this way. I look away right as Sam notices me. I don’t want to look at her, and I definitely don’t care to talk to Ginger. But here she is now, nonetheless.

“Allie,” Ginger says, standing in front of me. “Hi.” She reaches down to give me a half hug. Oh, yay. Eye roll.

I gesture toward the girls. “These beautiful girls are my nieces Kara and Maisie.”

“Hello, girls.” Ginger smiles their way. “Lorrie couldn’t stop talking about how cute the little one was when she showed you the house. Thank you, by the way, for being so kind to her. To us all…”

“Lorrie’s a pleasure to work with. Steven and I are signing the papers this week.”

“I can’t stay long.” Ginger leans forward and covers the side of her mouth to whisper, “I’m on a date.”

“Oh,” I exaggerate, forcing a smile. “Enjoy.”

“Bye, girls. Have a great night.” Ginger waves at them as she walks back to her seat.

“That’s Sam!” Maisie says a little too loudly as she spots her ahead. Kara turns to see for herself. Sam waves toward our table. I let the girls acknowledge her while I busy myself with eating a cheese stick. I don’t really want it, but at least it spares me the interaction.

Sam hasn’t spoken to me for a whole week. Now she’s on a date with another woman. She doesn’t get my attention anymore. Not in that way.

“Can we go say hi?” Kara asks, inching to the edge of her seat.

“No.” I shake my head. “She’s having dinner. You can talk to her some other time.”

“Whatever.” Kara moves back but takes another peek at Sam. I have no clue if she notices.

“I’ll be right back.” I slide out of the booth to go to the bar. I order four brownie desserts with ice cream to be delivered after dinner. I want it to be a surprise for the girls.

As I turn to leave, Sam stops in front of me. “Hey,” she says hesitatingly as if unsure of herself. I hope she’s as uncomfortable as I am.

“Hey.” I try to seem emotionless as I move around her to leave.

“Can we talk?” She grabs my hand, stopping my progress.

I pull out of her grip. “I have to get back to the girls. Enjoy your dinner.” I walk away quickly, not wanting to spend another second with her.

Our dinner arrives soon after I get back to the table. Sam walks up to us shortly after. I assume she went to the restroom.

“You girls look beautiful.” Sam looks from Kara to Maisie before briefly meeting my eyes. I refuse to let her make me feel anything with that comment.

“Is Olivia with her dad?” Kara asks. “I’ve texted her, but she hasn’t answered me.”

“Yes, honey. She’ll be back tomorrow. He told her it was a no-phone weekend.”

“We don’t want to keep you.” I motion toward her table. “Ginger’s looking for you.” Sam’s brow rises as she turns to see for herself. I’m sure she’s shocked that I know who she’s with.

“Have a good dinner.” She walks away, presumably taking my hint.

We finish the rest of our dinner in no time, and then as soon as the plates clear, the server brings out the four brownie slices with ice cream. I slide one of the desserts between us three.