Little Moments (Second Chances 2) - Page 17
I pull the flowers to my chest, making sure they are ready. “Aunt Maggie?”
I hear her call out from the back. “Roman?” She walks out, covered in flour, and I bust out laughing.
She clasps her hands and her face glows with love and pride. I hold up the flowers and walk toward her. I pull her into my chest and plant a kiss on her cheek. “Happy birthday. I got these for you.”
She takes the tulips and gushes, “These are my absolute favorite. Thank you darling.”
“I know they are. The best aunt in all of New York City deserves to have a display of her favorite tulips on her special day.”
She sniffs the flowers and her face lights up. “They smell like heaven. I love them Roman. Thank you.”
She steps away and I follow her to the back of the bakery. She places the flowers on the cooking island as she hunts for a vase. I step toward the opposite side and check the taller cabinets, hoping to find a large enough vase. I open a top cabinet in the corner and discover a glass vase. Success.
I pass the vase to her and she cleans it up, placing the tulips inside.
She gasps. “It looks perfect Roman.”
“You’re welcome.”
I turn to walk toward the front of the bakery as she says, “Oh I almost forgot. You will never guess who came in today.”
I instantly know whom she is talking about. Melanie.
A little bit of resentment sneaks into my voice. “I know. She ran into me outside.”
Aunt Maggie follows me. “Really! Why didn’t you say anything? It’s been years since she’s been here. What happened? Did she remember you?”
I shrug my shoulders. “Nothing happened. I completely choked once I realized it was her and she practically ran away from me. It doesn’t matter anyway. She’s married and has a kid.
”
Her face fills with confusion. “What do you mean married and a kid? That child was her goddaughter, not hers, and I didn’t see a ring either.”
“Wait, how do you know that?”
My aunt shakes her head and pats my shoulder. “Roman, they were here for about a half hour. We talked for a little bit. She had a craving for some éclairs and she is babysitting her goddaughter for the weekend. They came all the way from the city.”
My eyes roll and I throw my head back at my own stupidity. I groan. “I’m such an idiot. I should have gone after her.”
My aunt chuckles at my exasperation. “You’ll get another chance. Be patient.”
I turn around and walk toward the back, pissed off at myself for assuming the worst. “She was right there in front of me. I blew it in high school and I just blew it again. It’s been ten fucking years!”
Aunt Maggie slaps my back. “Don’t you dare use that language in front of me, I don’t care how angry you are!”
I shrug off her hostility and sit on top of the counter, bowing my head. “I’m sorry.”
She rubs my shoulder, consoling me in my pain and torture. “You know I don’t like that language. Now, come. Let’s close up early and head to the house and celebrate.”
I let out a long breath and relax my body, giving my aunt a reassuring smile. “Yes, I’m being an ass right now. Sorry.”
“No worries darling. Your moment will come.”
Melanie
IT’S BEEN TWO WEEKS since my run-in and I still can’t get him out of my mind. I can’t pinpoint what it is, but there’s a strange sense of familiarity. How do I know him? Is it from college? Maybe he’s a friend of Rob’s?
The handsome stranger clogs my thoughts as I sit on the sofa in the nurses lounge, staring at the TV. Gia comes crashing in and grabs a soda out of the refrigerator. She plops down on the sofa next to me and grabs hold of the remote.
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