“I’ll see you later Becca” I call over my shoulder and I walk out to my car with my heart in my throat because I know right now, Sina isn’t going to waste her time with me after seeing Becca with me this morning. Fuck, this shit could not be happening right now I think to myself. I take a deep breath and drive my ass to work. It’s going to be a long ass day.
Chapter Three
Sina
I follow Leila back to her office and I can’t believe how Becca Jones still looks the same, earth shatteringly beautiful on the outside. But she made my skin crawl. It made my insides sick just watching her talk to Eli lovingly, I would be a liar if I said that I wasn’t a little irritated that she was even here right now. I’ll never understand why Michael chose her over me. I mean, we’re the complete opposite. And it dawns on me, that if she’s with Eli right now then I wonder what happened to Michael. I know he tried asking my family about me, but from my understanding my sister and brothers scared his ass off. They never mentioned him after I left home, but I knew they saw him around. I was so lost in my thoughts that I don’t realize Leila is talking to me until I feel a warm hand on my tense shoulder.
I look at her and ask “What was that? I’m so sorry I kind of got lost in my head.”
“It’s alright girl, I was asking you how long are you in town for?” Leila says.
I sit down on one of the chairs and say “I’m, well we’re here for a couple of weeks then we’re heading back home after our family reunion.”
“You came with your boyfriend?” she asked.
I let out a little snort, “No, I haven’t dated since I left here. It’s just me and Emma, my daughter, she just turned eight a couple of months ago.” I don’t know why but I feel like I should have more of a story to tell, something exciting and a little less plain. I look up at Leila and I know instantly that Emma is news to her because her eyes grow wide.
She smiles and says “You don’t owe me or anyone else any kind of explanation Sina, that’s your story to tell. Not mine, and not anyone else’s” as she reaches over and grabs my hand. “I promise I won’t say anything if Emma isn’t common knowledge.”
I look at her and feel a part of me relax a little. “It’s not that Emma’s a secret, I just don’t want anyone to say anything about her you know?”
Leila gets up and hands me a blueberry muffin. “I know what you mean about people not knowing how to mind their own business. Reese and I had our own share of gossip and drama girl. I’m just glad that shit is over with” she says.
“Reese? You mean Reese Williams? I remember him” I smile at Leila. “Reese was in every class of mine, he even shared his history notes with me when I forgot mine in my locker. How is he?” I ask.
Leila smiles and tells me “He’s doing amazing, and he’s engaged as well.” Her eyes are assessing, watching my reaction to her words.
I feel like I'm missing something as I question, “Engaged? Aww that’s awesome. To who?” And then the missing piece slots itself into place as she flies to my side and flashes the most beautiful, twisted halo diamond flower white gold engagement ring.
“He proposed to me last year on my birthday,” she says with such a beautiful look on her face.
I get up and hug her “Oh my goodness. Congratulations, Leila. Your ring is gorgeous. Have you set a wedding date yet?” I ask.
“Yes, we’ll be tying the knot this December, it’s going to be an evening ceremony so I am excited” she says with a squeal.
I stand there holding her hand, still looking at her ring and hug her again. “I am so happy for you Leila.”
She looks at me with teary eyes and says laughing, “Thank you, Sina. I feel like we should be besties now.”
I let out a little giggle at her silly comment, but deep down I wished she were being serious, Lord knows I need a friend or two. Leila goes back to her computer and starts filling out a form to order the book I was after. I don't realize that she owns this place until I see a picture of her cutting the ribbon on her opening day with Reese looking so in love with her sitting on her desk. “Leila, I had no idea that you owned this beautiful place!” I say in a surprised tone.
She looks up at me from her screen and says “Yup, all mine and I’m glad that you chose my spot over Barnes & Nobles. I would have been upset if you hadn’t”, she laughs. It takes Leila less than ten minutes to send my book order out so she asks me to have coffee with her so we can catch up together. We walk back to the front of the store and she finds us a spot in the back by all the books. I don’t know, but there’s something about books that makes me feel safe. The same girl I spoke to earlier, Tammy I think ,comes to our table to drop off our coffees, muffins and a couple of cupcakes.
I take a bite of my chocolate cupcake with coffee cream cheese frosting and oh my freaking goodness it just melts in my mouth “Mmm” I cant keep the sounds in, this cupcake is the SHIT.
Leila laughs, “Good huh?
