Coffee Cup Confessions - Trish Williford Page 0,19
I’m going to see Grandma. We’re going to the movies.”
“Aw, that’s cute. Tell her I said hello.” I pull the cookies out of the oven and set the baking sheet on the counter. They are still slightly undercooked; however, they’re at the right consistency to avoid overbaking.
“You know, Grandma loves your cookies and would be extremely excited if you sent her some.”
I give Drew a knowing glare. “Your grandmother has diabetes, and she refuses to eat desserts. I will leave you a few in a bag on the table; don’t worry.”
Drew grins. “I forgot about the diabetes.”
The table is set for seven for dinner, and I call into the kitchen to Mom, “We have too many place settings. Drew’s not coming.”
Mom walks into the dining room with a basket of rolls. “I know, sweetie. Mandy is bringing her boyfriend. We’ll finally get to meet him.”
“Mandy has a boyfriend?”
“Yeah, and apparently, they’ve been dating for a few months now. She said she didn’t want to jinx it until she was sure it was going somewhere.”
“That’s good. I hope it works out for her.”
Mandy’s had quite the track record with guys over the years, most of whom have turned out to be losers. There is no shortage of Mandy admirers; however, it’s been a while since she’s brought a guy home to dinner.
“Me too. God knows she needs a mature man to keep her straight.”
Bentley and Ally come into the dining room at the tail end of the sentence, and of course, Bent is curious. “Keep who straight?”
“Mandy. Her new boyfriend is coming to dinner,” I tell him.
“Who in the hell is dumb enough to date her?” Bentley snarls before Ally smacks him in the stomach. “It’s true.”
“He might help her. I remember someone else who needed some help not so long ago,” Ally says pointedly at Bentley.
Bent just kisses her forehead. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Twenty minutes later, dinner is ready, and Mandy and her new boyfriend still haven’t arrived yet. We’re all at the table, making small talk, but there’s one person who isn’t up for small talk—Dad.
“Someone call Mandy and see where the hell she is. I’m hungry.”
No one makes Greg Gallagher wait for his dinner.
No one.
Before I’m able to find Mandy’s number in my phone, we hear the front door shut.
“Sorry I’m late!” Mandy calls out.
“Get your ass in here. I’m starving!” Dad yells.
Mandy walks into the dining room, alone, smiling sheepishly. Everyone is looking around in anticipation of meeting her new boyfriend—except Dad, of course.
“Amanda, you’re already late for dinner, and you know I’m not a patient man. Get the cutesy smile off your face and just bring in the guy, so we can eat.”
Bentley and I both stifle laughs, and Mom smacks Dad’s arm.
“Greg, knock it off. You act like you haven’t eaten in weeks. Mandy, did he come along, dear? We’d love to finally meet him.” Mom tries to be sweet enough for both of our parents.
Mandy nods and motions down the hallway. “Well, you kind of already have.”
And it’s as if I were sucker-punched in the gut. I’ve lost all oxygen in my lungs. Looking straight back at me is a pair of familiar blue eyes that I stared into daily for years. Eyes that, once upon a time, I thought I would stare into every single day for the rest of my life. But now, all that I see are eyes that are anxious and begging for forgiveness.
“Noah?” I’m finally able to choke out.
“Surprise!” Mandy bounces on her feet, as if this were some happy, momentous occasion.
The entire room is shocked silent, even Dad, who was about to eat his left arm less than thirty seconds ago.
Bentley is the first person to speak up, “You’ve got to be fucking kidding me.”
Mandy shoots him a glare and crosses her arms. “What?”
Bentley lets out a hard chuckle and shakes his head. “Unbelievable. I don’t know why I’m surprised, but I actually am.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Mandy’s becoming more defensive by the moment. Noah reaches for her arm, but she shrugs him off. “No, we’re not going anywhere. I want to hear what he has to say. Go ahead, Bentley.”
Ally puts her hand on Bentley’s shoulder in an attempt to calm him, but it doesn’t do any good.
“Do you see anything wrong with what you’re doing? Maybe, just maybe, that dating your sister’s ex-boyfriend is a little disloyal? I mean, I could be completely wrong, but I think Misha crying beside me is