Page 42 of Our Broken Pieces
“I wanted to see if you and mom would want to meet for dinner next weekend. There’s someone I want you to meet. Well, not really. You’ve already met her briefly. But someone I want you to get to know better.”
The corner of his mouth turns up the slightest bit. “Is this a woman?”
“Yes.”
“Someone I’ve met?”
“Yes, it’s Gigi. You might remember her from Jax and Audrey’s wedding.”
“The redhead?”
“Yes.”
“For some reason, I pictured you with a blonde.”
I peer at him, confused. “That’s odd.” I run my hand through my hair. “Gigi and I have become close, and I would like for you to spend some time with her.”
“I have to say, she’s a little rough around the edges.”
I narrow my eyes as anger rises in my chest from his words. “Excuse me?”
He puts his hand up to stop me. “Don’t go full defense, son. I’m sure you can help her become a bit more polished. If you’re dating her, yes, we can have dinner. Make a reservation for Saturday evening and send me the information.”
“Will do.”
He closes his laptop and rises from his chair. He stops before exiting the room. “I’m proud of you, son. You’re doing what needs to be done.”
After he walks out of the room, I let out a ragged breath that I didn’t even realize I was holding. I run my hands slowly down my face as the guilt sets in.
The first time in years that my father told me that he was proud of me, and it had to be when I told him a lie.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Gigi
Wednesday evening, I walk through the door and hear Marcus on the phone in the kitchen. The house smells amazing, like spices and chicken. I drop my work bag and purse by the front door and see Ethel coming from the hallway to greet me. I drop down to pick her up, snuggling her close to me.
In the few weeks since the ‘incident’ with Lewis, I feel like I’ve gotten over the sadness and anger. It’s sad to say, but we really were just going through the motions. I began to realize that I was ready to move on from him a long time ago. I won’t admit it to anyone, but I’m almost thankful that I found him and Sabrina that night. Brunches with Audrey and Melonie have allowed me to talk through my feelings, and they have been pretty open about all the reasons Lewis and I just were not compatible. Andbelieve me, they don’t hold back. Looking back on it, Melonie was right, I was settling.
I’ve started journaling again. Sometimes I write about my day or emotions that surface, but most of what I’ve been writing has been my wants in life and a relationship. What would my ideal man look like? How would he treat me? Would I want to work for the rest of my life or would it be fun to be a stay at home cat mom? It’s been cathartic to vent on the pages on the bad days and document my dreams on the good ones.
I walk into the kitchen, Ethel in my arms, and smile at the sight of Marcus, now done with his call, wiping down the counters.
“Hey, prince.”
“Hey, you got off work at a decent time.” He grins.
“I did. It smells so good in here. What are you cooking?”
“Chicken and mashed potatoes. Should be done in about fifteen minutes if you want to change out of your work clothes.”
“Awesome. Here, take Ethel.” I shove the twelve pound little beast in his direction.
“Oh, um, do I have to hold her?”
I bring her back to my chest. “You don’t want to?”
“It’s just that I’m cooking. Besides, I don’t think she likes me. She runs away from me, and yesterday morning, when I fed her, she hissed at me.”
