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“Not at all, Mr. Cross. I was working hard. With Mia, by the way. Then I decided to treat these fine little people with something sweet.” From the corner of my eye, I could see Ben throwing daggers at me for taking credit for his idea. I wasn’t in a place to care. If I was honest, the old man intimidated me a little.
He slid around on his seat at the counter to look at Gabe and Fee. “I know you two. You’re Ms. Mia’s friends.” The kids nodded, already smiling. He stared at them in concentration and declared, “I decided I like you,” earning even bigger smiles from the kids.
“I’m also her friend,” Ben claimed, trying to get some points.
Mr. Cross only grumbled at Ben, then called Izzie. “Get those two the tastiest goods you’ve got. On me.”
The kids cheered, and I thanked him, right before he threw a nasty look at Ben, stood up, and left.
I was still chuckling at Ben’s indignation when Izzie strode to us to bring Fee and Gabe their favorite cupcakes and take our order.
“Either April or I will come back with everything. Want anything else?”
“We should get something for Mom and Auntie Mia,” Gabe suggested. “Maybe they will be happy again.” Nothing like a gut punch from an honest kid to sour the mood. “They’re sad because they miss Zachy, but he had to work. He’ll be back soon.” He nodded along with his words, oblivious to the turmoil he brought.
Not sure how to respond to that without ruining his innocence, Ben and I stayed quiet, and Izzie, holding back her tears, complimented him on being so generous.
Ben was once again distraught. He blamed himself for what happened that day, the same way Mia did.
Ben’s father was after him the day he and the cartel attacked the company with Mia and Izzie inside, and Mia was the one who threw the grenade that created a domino effect with the other bombs. It was effective in taking Michael and the others out, but she didn’t know her brother was also there.
Michael and the cartel were the ones to blame. But as rational as one could try to be, it wasn’t an easy feat to dissociate reality from guilt.
We all bore the grief from that day. But Ben and Mia also carried the demons that came with guilt. Not being able to see Zach again after everything, not even at the hospital or to say goodbye since the casket was closed, took a toll on all of us. And Gabe, perceptive as he was, picked up on that, although he still claimed Zach was just working away.
Ben and I stayed silent as the kids ate and chatted nonstop.
I was lost in my thoughts when I heard the wind chimes, indicating someone was walking inside Beans. On instinct, I turned to see who it was and held my breath for a few seconds when I realized it was Lisa.
Wearing a yellow summer dress, the fabric flowing around her, she looked ethereal. Unable to look anywhere else, I watched as she hugged her best friend. April was always colorful, all smiles, the definition of sunshine with her multicolored nails and always changing hair. Lisa, on the other hand, brought that lightness as well, but with the kind of grace and tenderness that enthralled me.
My relationship with Andrea started as a fun time and progressed to obligation once Sofia came around and Andrea showed her true colors. I’d cared about her, and I did believe at some point I might’ve even loved her—or at least the idea of her, of my baby’s mother. But not even once had I felt such a gut reaction for Andrea as I did for Lisa.
“Should I restrain you for acting like a creep? It’s starting to get weird.” I was startled by Ben’s laughing voice.
“I don’t know what you’re—”
“Don’t even bother.” He chuckled. “It’s that bad, huh?”
I considered how to answer, how to avoid his analysis. I ended up choosing the truth. “I don’t know what to do.”
“Getting together seems like a good option.”
“We can’t do that.” If I didn’t sound convinced, it was because I wasn’t. “I have so many reasons to stay away.”
“You only need one to be with her.”
I was pondering his words when Sofia noticed Lisa, who had yet to see us. “Lissie!” she shouted, not caring one bit that everyone around was staring at us.
Fee waved with gusto as if Lisa hadn’t heard her subtle call. I couldn’t deny how much I loved that Lisa smiled at seeing us. With each step she took our way, my hands got sweatier.
She pulled the side of her dress below her hips and bent her knees. “Hello, Ms. Delgado. Hello, Mr. Brooks.”
Sofia giggled as usual, and Gabe corrected her good-heartedly, “No, silly. I’m Mr. Bryant. Like Zachy.”
Overcoming her faltering, Lisa amended, “I’m so sorry, good sir. Hello, Mr. Bryant.”
“Sit here with us, Lisa.” Sofia scooched closer to Gabe and pulled my arm to slide inside as well and let Lisa get in the booth with us.
