Moments Series

At breakfast the next morning, I can tell Gram really wants to interrogate me. “What?” I ask a little nervous because I thought she was asleep when I got home last night but she very well could have been eavesdropping.

Trying unsuccessfully to hide her smile, she knows exactly what she’s doing to me, she picks up her teacup, takes a sip then asks, “Who was that young man who dropped you off last night? I didn’t realize you had made any friends.”

“Thanks a lot Gram.” I say sarcastically.

“Oh, honey, I didn’t mean it like that. You’ve just been so closed off since you got here.” I never told her why I suddenly decided to move here and go back to school. Dad and I thought it was best not to worry her.

“I haven’t been here all that long.”

Reaching across the table she grasps my hand, “Sweetheart, it’s been over three months.”

Rolling my eyes then smiling I say, “His name is Landon and we met at the coffee shop across from the beach.”

“The one you go to every Saturday morning?”

“Yeah. He is so easy to talk to.” I answer taking a sip of my tea.

“I’m happy for you. It’s about time you moved on from that ex of yours. He always rubbed me the wrong way.”

A little taken a back because she had never mentioned anything before, I ask, “Really? Why’s that?”

“Because he was so patronizing to you and well frankly, I thought he was a jackass.”

Of course, it was at that exact moment that I took a sip of my tea, so I had to choke it down rather than spew it across the table into her face. When I can catch my breath, I start to laugh and sputter, “Gram!”

Laughing as well, she explains, “You know he was. I was glad when your father told me that you had parted ways.”

Hours later, as I finish getting ready for my date, I’m still shocked that I had no idea how Gram felt about James. Then again, if I’m being honest, I guess I shouldn’t be because my parents felt the same way. I check my lip-gloss one last time, stand back to give my flowy, summer dress a once over then I make my way downstairs just in time to see Landon pull up at the curb. After grabbing my purse, I step out onto the porch just as Landon is climbing the steps. “Hi.” I say as I close the door behind me.

Leaning down to kiss my cheek he says, “Hi. You look gorgeous.” Nervous all of a sudden, I search my brain for the male equivalent of that.

Smiling I simply say, “Thank you. You look very handsome.” And he does in his dark jeans and button down, light green shirt, rolled up to the elbows. The color does amazing things to his green eyes.

Flashing a smile and a dimple I never noticed before, “Thanks. All set?” He asks as he extends his elbow to me. Such a gentlemanly thing to do. After we get settled in the car he drives towards the beach and the restaurant is just a block up from the coffee shop.

“I never knew such a cute little place was so close to my favorite coffee shop.”

Putting the car in park he looks over at me and says, “You mean my favorite coffee shop.”

Narrowing my eyes and smiling when he winks, I concede, “How about our favorite coffee shop.”

“Works for me.” And with that he gets out, rounds the hood to opens my door for me. I had no idea he was so old fashioned. I like it.

We barely step in the door and the host comes right over to us, “Your favorite table is ready.” And we are immediately ushered to the front corner by the windows.

“You seem to have a lot of favorite things.” I say as he helps me into my seat.

“Favorite places, sure. Now, thanks to you, I’m adding some favorite moments as well.”

He is so surprisingly sweet. I can feel the butterflies, that until yesterday, I thought had deserted me, start to flutter in my stomach. “That’s very kind of you to say. How about you order for us both. You must have a favorite dish.”

Rubbing his chin, he gets the waiters attention, “I’ll take that challenge.” He orders chicken marsala, and a linguini with clam sauce along with a bottle of red wine.

“Coming right up.” The waiter answers before sauntering away.

“That way I have better odds of you liking at least one dish.” He says with an easy smile.

Laughing, I say, “Two very good choices. It just means we have to share.”

It amazes me that I feel so at ease with Landon. As we wait for our meals the waiter brings over our wine and Landon makes a show of swishing it around in his glass before tasting it. “I don’t know why people do that. I’ve just always wanted to try it.” Covering my mouth with my napkin I laugh so hard I snort. Landon laughs at that and I remember that James would have been upset about an outrageous display like that. And I would have paid for it in the privacy of our home. Not wanting to ruin the mood I immediately push that thought aside.

Instead, I lift my glass and toast, “To turning funny moments into memories.”

“I’ll second that.” And we clink glasses.

To be continued…