“It’s so nice to meet you.” She smiled as they lightly shook hands.
“You’ve already met Finn and Olivia.”
“Nice to see you both again.”
We took our seats and I noticed that my mom was eyeing Paisley.
“You aren’t by any chance Dear Paisley, are you?”
“I am.” She shyly smiled.
The smile on my mom’s face grew wide. “That’s wonderful. I really enjoy your column.”
Dinner went well, just like I expected it would, and Paisley seemed to settle in comfortably. She talked a lot with Olivia and my mom and everyone seemed to really like her. No one brought up what happened one year ago today and I was relieved.
Chapter 22
Paisley
“Good morning, Romeo,” I said as I scratched his head. I decided that I was going to work from home today and not bother going into the office. More than enough work was piled in my computer and I would get more done at home on the comfort of my couch. After I rolled out of bed, I fed Romeo and popped a k-cup in the Keurig. Picking up my phone, I noticed there was a text message from Ben.
“Good morning. I just wanted to thank you again for yesterday and last night. It meant a lot.”
I smiled as I took my cup and sat down in my office. Meeting Ben’s family last night was nice. They were nice, and the fact that his mom read my column made it a little more comfortable.
“Good morning. You’re welcome. I enjoyed meeting your family. They’re very nice.”
“I know they enjoyed meeting you too. My mom already called me this morning and asked when she would see you again. Don’t be surprised if she invites you to another dinner real soon.”
“I look forward to it.”
“Have a great day, Paisley. I’ll talk to you soon.”
“You too, Ben. Bye.”
As I set down my phone, I couldn’t help smiling. I opened up my computer and my email with the list of questions that were waiting for me in my inbox.
Dear Paisley,
My husband has secretly been watching porn behind my back and it’s ruining our marriage. I’ve never liked porn and always refused to watch it with him, even when he begged me. He said he stopped, but I found porn sites on his computer and text messages on his phone to his friends about different porn sites. Our sex life is almost non-existent because of his porn addiction. I feel my marriage is ending and I don’t know how to save it. Please help.
Feeling Betrayed.
~*~
Dear Feeling Betrayed,
Is your sex life really non-existent because of porn or are you using porn as the excuse for some other reason? Sit down one night and surprise him by watching some soft core porn with him. You may surprise yourself and like it, plus it may enhance your sex life with your husband. If you’re open about it, then he won’t feel the need to sneak around and watch it behind your back. Communication is the key. You also need to explore other reasons why your sex life has become non-existent. It’s very easy to use something we hate as an excuse instead of facing the truth.
A couple of hours later, my phone rang. When I looked at it, I saw it was Charlotte calling.
“Hello.”
“Hi there. I have Piper and Keaton on the line too.”
“Hey,” they both said.
“How did it go last night with Ben and his family?” Piper asked.
“It went good. His family is really great.”
“I’m sure not as great as us,” Keaton said.
“I wouldn’t be so sure of that.” I laughed.
“So...was there anything else that was great?” Charlotte asked.
I rolled my eyes. “If you’re asking if we had sex, the answer is no.”
“How about the kiss?” Piper asked.
I sighed. “The kiss on my cheek was nice.”
“There she goes with that ‘nice’ word again,” Keaton interrupted.
“I’m sorry you aren’t getting the juicy details you called for, but I have to go. I’m in the middle of working. Goodbye siblings.” Click.
I looked over at Romeo and smiled as he lay curled up on the rug, sleeping. A thought came to my mind. One that hadn’t been around for a very long time. I clicked on the Word document titled: “She Writes Love” and stared at the one paragraph that sat on the screen. The only paragraph I could manage to get out of me before breaking down. I wrote that paragraph ten months ago and hadn’t looked at it since. The only reason I opened it today was because of a conversation Ben and I had last night on the way home.
“Do you write anything else besides for your columns?” Ben asked.
“Like what?”
“I don’t know. Maybe poetry, short stories, novels.”
“I’ve always wanted to write a novel.”
“Why don’t you?” he asked with seriousness.
“I don’t know. I’ve thought about it.”
“I think you should think about it again.” He smiled.
That conversation made me think of the day I wrote that paragraph. If I would have kept going, the book would have been finished by now. But I couldn’t. I wasn’t strong enough. Even ten months later, I still didn’t know if I was strong enough.
****
Ben
David was already sitting down at the bar when I sat down.
“Hey, good to see you, man.” I smiled.
“Good to see you too. How was your week?”
Damian set a bottle of beer in front of me and told me that my fish and chips would be up soon.
“My week was...it was good,” I said with a smile on my face.
“That wouldn’t have anything to do with Paisley, would it?”
I took a swig of my beer and nodded my head. “Actually, it does. I met her family and she met mine. She helped me get through a tough day. It was the one-year anniversary of Amy’s death a couple of days ago.”
“Oh man, I’m sorry,” he said with sympathy. “I’m glad she was there for you.”
“Me too.” I arched my eyebrow.
“Sounds like the two of you are becoming close.”
Damian set the plate of fish and chips down in front of me. “She’s an amazing friend. She’s all I think about every second of the day. I feel guilty, David.”
He reached over and put his hand on my shoulder. “There’s no need to feel guilty. Amy wouldn’t want you to feel that way. You’re young, Ben. You can’t spend the rest of your life alone or not taking chances because of guilt.”
“I know and there’s something about Paisley that captivates me. From the moment I saw her sitting in that chair at the meeting, I haven’t been able to get her out of my head. I had a dream last week about Amy and she told me to go and be happy and live my life. She also said Paisley’s name. It was weird, man. So weird and it felt so real.”
“Maybe it was. Maybe Amy was coming to you in your dream and telling you that it’s okay.”
“What? You mean like an angel?”
“Yeah. That’s exactly what I mean.” He smiled.
“Nah. I don’t really believe in that sort of thing.”
He shrugged his shoulders and took a bite of his fish and chips. “Where is she tonight?” David asked.
“I don’t know. I haven’t talked to her today.”
“Why not?”
“I sent her a text message yesterday. I don’t want to be pushy or overbearing.”
“Do you want to see her?”
“Of course I do.”
“Then call her.” He smiled.
I pulled out my phone and dialed her number.
“Hello.”
I smiled when I heard her sweet voice. A voice I had just realized I missed.
“Hi, Paisley.”
“Hi, Ben.”
“I was wondering if you’d like to come over to my house tomorrow night for dinner.”
“I would love to. What time should I be there?”
“How about six o’clock?”
“Six is great. W
ould you like me to bring something?”
“Just yourself would be great.”
She giggled. “Okay, but I’m bringing some wine.”
“Wine sounds good. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Bye, Ben.”
I looked at David and noticed the huge grin on his face. “Good job.”
Now I needed to decide what I was going to cook.
Chapter 23
Paisley
My dearest husband,
Another week almost gone. Thanksgiving is next week and the first without you. I want you to know that I will always love you, no matter how many years pass. You were my first love and I will treasure what we shared and had forever. I met a new friend; his name is Ben and his wife passed away a year ago from cancer. He’s a fireman and he builds beautiful furniture. It’s really nice to have someone to talk to who shares the same pain I do. The pain of losing the love of your life and trying to figure out how to move on. Until next week, my love.
Love forever,
Paisley
As I folded up the letter and slipped it into the envelope, my phone rang.
“Good morning, Mom.”
“Good morning, honey. I’m right around the corner at that little French bakery and I thought if you were up, we could have pastries and coffee. I can be over in five.”
“I’m up, Mom. Come on over.”
“Great. See you soon,” she said in excitement.
I put the letter in the drawer and went to the kitchen to make some coffee. A few moments later, my mom walked through the door.
“Bonjour.” She smiled as she walked into the kitchen and gave me a kiss.
“Bonjour.”
She set the white box in the middle of the table while I poured us coffee. I opened the box and took out a croissant.
“Thanks for bringing these.” I smiled as I took a bite.
“Thanksgiving is next week and dinner is at three o’clock. I was thinking that maybe you could spend the night at my house and help me with the cooking. Just like you used to when you still lived at home.”
I knew what she was doing. She didn’t want me home alone since it was my first Thanksgiving without him. I could see the desperation on her face as she looked at me.
“Sure, Mom. That sounds nice. It’s been a while since we cooked together.”
Her face lit up as she placed her hand on my arm. “It’ll be so much fun, Paisley.”
She was happy. “How’s Ben doing?”
I knew it was only a matter of time before she asked about him.
“He’s doing fine. In fact, he invited me over to his house for dinner tonight.”
“How nice. You are going, right?”
“Of course I am.” I smiled.
“I’ll be right back,” she said as she got up and went out the door.
I sat there in confusion. Where the heck did she go?
She walked back into the house with another white box in her hands. “Here, take this to Ben’s tonight. It’s that lemon tart your father loves. I’ll pick another one up on my home.”
“No, Mom. It’s okay. Take that to Dad.”
“Don’t be silly. You’re taking this and that’s all there is to it. Do you have a nice bottle of wine to bring as well? If you don’t, I can run out and grab one.”
I laughed. “Mom, sit down. Let’s enjoy these amazing French pastries you brought over. I have a bottle of wine and now I have a lemon tart. Ben will be thrilled. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” She smiled. “Why don’t you ask Ben to come to Thanksgiving dinner?”
“He has his own family, Mom. I’m sure he wants to spend it with them.”
“It would have been nice to see him again.” She smiled as she pet Romeo.
I got up from the table and took our plates to the sink. “I’ll tell him you said hi.”
“All right, honey. I better get going before your dad calls and asks where his French pastries are.”
She walked over and kissed me on the cheek. “Have fun with Ben tonight and I’ll talk to you soon.”
“Bye, Mom. Thanks again for the lemon tart,” I yelled as she shut the door behind her.
****
Ben
I was in the produce section of the grocery store when I looked over and saw Keaton picking out some limes.
“Hey, Keaton.”
“Ben, my man. How are you?”
“I’m good. Limes?” I asked.
He looked at the one in his hand and smiled. “Yeah. My mom asked if I could pick some up. She wants to make a homemade key lime pie for Thanksgiving.”
“Ah,” I said as I nodded my head.
“What are you shopping for?”
“I’m cooking dinner tonight for your sister and I’m not sure what to make.”
“You’re cooking dinner for Paisley?” he asked.
“Yeah. Wanna help me out here and tell me some of her favorite foods?”
“She loves chicken cordon bleu.”
“I can make that.” I smiled.
“Actually, she’ll eat just about anything, but chicken cordon bleu is her favorite.”
I held up my hand for a high five. “Thanks, Keaton.”
“No problem, bro. Have fun tonight.”
I walked away with a smile on my face and bought everything I needed for dinner. As soon as I got home and unloaded the groceries, I started to prep the chicken. My phone rang and it was Finn. I pressed the speaker button.
“Hey, Finn.”
“Do you have me on speaker?”
“Yeah. My hands are in some raw chicken at the moment.”
“Oh. What are you doing tonight?” he asked.
“I’m cooking dinner for Paisley. Why?”
“Olivia and I are going to that new Mexican restaurant that just opened up downtown and wanted you to join us.”
“Sorry, bro. I already have plans. Maybe another time and the four of us can go.”
“I like the sound of that, Ben. Get back to your chicken and have a great time tonight. I’ll talk to you later.”
As soon as I finished prepping the chicken, I cut up the potatoes and made a salad. I looked at the clock and had just enough time to hop in the shower before Paisley arrived.
****
“It smells delicious in here.” She smiled.
“Thank you. I hope you like it.”
I looked out the door before I shut it and noticed the large, dark clouds that loomed over the area.
“It looks like some storms are rolling in,” I commented.
“They said on the radio that it’s going to be pretty bad. Here is a lemon tart, compliments of my mom, and I brought some wine.”
I stood there and stared at her as she set the wine on the table. She was so beautiful and all I could think about was kissing her perfectly shaped mouth.
“Thank you for the wine, and lemon is my favorite. Tell your mom thank you.”
“Do you need any help?” she asked.
“Nope. You go sit down. You’re a guest in my home and I don’t want you doing a thing.”
She giggled and sat down at the table. Even her giggle was a turn-on. I took the chicken and roasted potatoes out of the oven and set it in the center of the table. After grabbing the salad and dressing from the counter, I took two wine glasses from the cupboard and then opened the bottle of wine.
“Great choice in wine.” I smiled.
“Thank you. It’s one of my favorites.”
“Here’s to a nice dinner and an amazing friend.” I held up my wine glass.
“Cheers.” She smiled brightly.
As she ate her chicken and potatoes, she wouldn’t stop telling me how good it was.
“You’re a fireman, a furniture builder, and a cook. You’re a very talented man, Ben. Oh, and by the way, I’m so happy you ran into Keaton at the grocery store.”
I smiled and I gave her a wink. “Should I be surprised he mentioned it to you?”
“No. No
t at all.” She laughed.
When dinner was over, I asked her if she wanted dessert or if she wanted to wait a while. We both agreed to wait. As Paisley got up and started to clear the table, I placed my hand around her wrist. Her skin was so soft. As she looked down at me with her beautiful eyes, I spoke.
“Sit down. I’ll clean up.”
“Don’t be silly. I’m helping you and that’s all there is to it. You slaved over a hot stove all day for me and the least I can do is help you clean up.”
I couldn’t deny her help. She was sincere and serious. “Fine. But it’s not necessary.”
“Yes it is.” She smiled as she took the plates from the table.
I walked over to the picture window in the living room and looked out as the storm was approaching. The skies were gray and the palm trees were shaking from the strong winds.
“I hope we don’t lose power,” I said as I walked back to the kitchen.
“Gee, I hope not.”
Suddenly, the rain pelted against the roof and crashed against the windows. The lights flickered and Paisley looked at me.
“I hope you have candles.” She laughed.
“I have plenty of candles. Look around. Amy loved them.”
Then it happened. The house went dark. This was not the way I wanted my night with Paisley to turn out. She turned on the flashlight on her phone and shined it in the drawer while I grabbed a lighter and followed me around the house while I lit the candles.
Chapter 24
Paisley
The whole house was glowing with candlelight and I became very nervous.
“How about we cut into that lemon tart?” I said to distract myself from the ambiance of a romantic setting.
“I was just thinking the same thing.” He smiled.
Ben brought the tart to the table and I grabbed a couple of plates. He took one of the large candles from the fireplace and set it in the middle of the table.
“There. Now we can see while we’re eating.”
I cut the first piece and put it on his plate as he poured me another glass of wine.
“I can’t believe this weather,” I spoke.
“I can’t believe we’re talking about the weather.” He chuckled.
I laughed. “Next week is Thanksgiving already.”
“I know. My parents were talking about going to my Aunt Melinda’s house this year. She just moved into this mansion of a house and she wants to show it off. That’s according to my mom.”