Page 37 of Must Love Bees
“Were you, like, the supersmart kid that everyone tried to get help from on their papers and stuff?” Halley smiled.
He nodded again. Those were thedo this or elsescenarios that he’d learned to hide from. Old storage closets. Dormer window crawl spaces. The attic over the kitchen. He’d become an expert at hiding in grade school. In time, he got too big to be bullied. By then, he’d learned the best place to hide was deep inside himself.
The green canopy of the Delaney Café barely fluttered in the hot Texas breeze as they walked from the car to the café. Once he’d pushed the door open, he wasn’t sure which was nicer, the gust of air-conditioned air or the scent of coffee.
“Can we sit in a booth?” Nova stood in her space suit, staring around the restaurant.
“If there’s one open.” Charlie tried not to sweep the café goers or count the number of people enjoying their lunch.
“You and your astronaut are in luck.” The waitress smiled. “Follow me to your very own booth.”
“Yay!” Nova acted like this was the best news she’d ever had.
“Nova, please. You’re wearing your suit. Can you try to act normal?” Halley fidgeted with her headband again.
Nova sighed but stayed quiet until they were in their booth.
Charlie hated going out to eat more than he hated in-person business meetings. At work, he had a title and authority and no one dared give him side-eye or openly judged him. Sitting in this new-to-him restaurant surrounded by strangers was something he avoided at all costs.
“Is everyone looking at us?” Halley looked around the restaurant, her cheeks going pink.
“Scorpio thinks they are.” Nova was sitting on her knees, Scorpio on the table. “Is it ’cause they’ve never seen a real-life astronaut before?”
“Don’t worry about them.” Charlie didn’t bother looking up. “Decide what you want to eat.”
But then Halley said, “Astrid?” with such pure delight, the words on the menu blurred before Charlie’s eyes.
Astrid was here? It was bad enough he’d found himself glancing out the window, looking for her. It was worse when he found his thoughts turning to her for no particular reason. Not just once, either. He closed his eyes and drew in a deep breath. Apparently wanting a peaceful meal was too much to ask for. He slowly forced all the air from his lungs and started counting. The hollow ache was back, stronger than before.
“Oh, your baby is so cute.” Halley’s tone was soft and awestruck.
Charlie’s brain slammed to a halt over the “your baby is so cute” comment. Astrid? She had a baby? She was the mothering, nurturing type. It wasn’t surprising. It fit with what he knew of her but... The ache sharpened and twisted. He had to start counting all over again.
“Hi, Astrid. I’m an astronaut.” Nova’s rather loud and assertive announcement had Astrid laughing.
He liked the sound of Astrid’s laugh.Dammit. What was wrong with him? He barely knew the woman. If he did, he’d know she had a baby. He swallowed against the tightness of his throat.
“Are you going on a mission after your lunch?” There was a smile in Astrid’s voice.
“I don’t know.” Nova’s not-whisper was muffled behind her space helmet. “Where are we going to after we eat, Charlie?”
At that point, he realized he had to open his eyes and engage.
Astrid. With a baby. A baby that had a hold of one long thin braid in Astrid’s hair—and was smiling athim. The baby didn’t look a thing like Astrid. He frowned. The baby’s lower lip quivered and Charlie’s throat drew so tight he couldn’t breathe. The baby made a sad gurgling sound and sniffed. Had he done that? How did he make it stop? What was he supposed to do?
“Charlie, you’re scaring her.” Halley moved closer to the baby. “Don’t pay attention to Mr. Grumpy Pants.”
Thebabywas scared? How did they think he felt?
Halley reached over and tickled the baby’s feet, ending the potential tears. “What’s her name?”
“Petunia Snowflake?” Nova quickly offered suggestions. “Worcestershire? Or Queen Margaret?”
Astrid laughed again, making him glance her way. Instead, his gaze locked with the baby’s—now waving her tiny hand at him. He plucked at the front of his shirt before looking beyond the baby, at Astrid.
“Her name is Beatrix, but we call her Bea.” Astrid winked at Nova. “Though Petunia Snowflake has a lovely ring to it.”
We?Meaning she and her husband? It was strange that her marital status had never come up in conversation. No, it wasn’t. Her marital status wasn’t relevant to any of the conversations they’ had.Her marital status isn’t relevant, period.At least, it shouldn’t be.
